Designing and Teaching

Bright and early on my way to the fair.

Gosh, I really don't know where to start. Should I make separate posts to keep you reading or one big, huge newsflash post? There's so much going on that I just keep postponing writing about it all. And, for a change, I'm also actually knitting.
I'm knitting my ass off to be exact. (and in my case, that a WHOLE lot of knitting!)

I'll just take it a step at a time.

One of the latest trends in crocheting/knitting; Zpagetti.
A bulky yarn made from left overs in the textile industry.

Today I went to the annual needlecrafts fair in my hometown Rotterdam and got home with:
- a bag full of Options goodies including a (excuses le mot) set of crochet (...) needles. More on those later, cable needles, a new pair of 3.5mm's (they are strong but can't handle beeing sit on...), a shawl pin (gotta have at least one) and the chunky set to complete my interchangeable set. I now feel like a real pro with a bag full of matching hardware.
- 4 cones of wool/angora mix taupe yarn (so I can finally start knitting a huge cardigan for ME!) for an amazing price.
- A big box full of lush green SILK (for sale during my lesson for at least 50% of normal silk prices!!)
- An amigurimi book (again, more on that later!) - Loads of lanolin cosmetics made by my friend Yvon at Storm op Zolder. I mistook the lotion for the cream and accidentally spilled it all over me and Boyfriend dear. I can tell you it smells like a dream!

the ugliest yarn I've ever seen.
It comes with little plucks of fake fur.
Yikes!

I did some hardcore bargaining on a new sewing machine (I still use the 1960's one my mother got at her wedding) and caught up with fellow knitster Dianne B. A very successful day!

Posters for an upcoming knitting event sponsored by Zeeman, a cheap yarn/clothing store.
More on this in my next post.

Rotterdamse Oogst Festival

picture by Storm op Zolder

This Saturday I spent surrounded by sheep, teaching kids and some adults how to knit and finger crochet (don't know if I can translate this term literally but I'll just go for it...). The specially designed knitting temple was situated at the Rotterdamse Oogst Festival, a festival that celebrates the local farmers and food makers of the city Rotterdam. It wants people to know that just around the corner there's a lot more and a lot better food to get than you would think. Great starting point for a festival if you ask me!
There was music, food, workshops and overall a fantastic atmosphere. I enjoyed myself immensely even though I didn't have a second to get out of the knitting temple, let alone say hi to the many old friends, new friends and family that visited. Sorry about that! It was lovely to see you all (read: get a glimpse of you).

picture by Storm op Zolder

picture by Storm op Zolder

I was expecting more adults to come knit with me, as they are my usual target group, but as soon as the knit spot started filling up with kids, it attracted only more wee ones. They were wonderful though. I can't believe how two kids especially tried so hard and just couldn't master it. But they wouldn't give up. I was very impressed by them! A father and three sons came and all took a shot. Dad was mumbling that knitting was more suited for women but kept going at it. I had to suppress quite a bunch of laughs. I think two kids (out of about 50) were dedicated enough to finish the chestnut bags I designed for the day on the spot. They spent half their afternoon with me and did a super job!




Everyone could walk in and step into the class and in that form I could teach knitting from an age of about 10 years and older. Most of the kids were much younger so I let them play with the all natural yarn and tried to teach them about sheep and yarn and knitting and how to crochet a chain with their hands. Meanwhile they got to meet the sheep from up-close and see the Shepard work with them and his dog. Very educational stuff!

It was a very full and warm and lovely day packed with lovely people, followed by lovely food with my own beautiful family and topped of with a couple of beers! Perfect!


(If anyone sees him- or herself on the pictures and wishes to be removed from the blog, please mail me and I'll take the picture off in a second! I have no intention to harm anyone by placing their picture. I ask for as much permission as I can but there's always a crowd on a festival and that makes it a lot harder to get everyone's permission.
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Als iemand zichzelf op de foto's ziet en liever niet op deze blog wil staan, mail me dan en ik haal de foto er zonder pardon af. Ik wil alleen een beeld van de dag geven en niemand kwetsen. Ik vraag zo veel mogelijk toestemming, maar zo'n dag is druk en er zijn veel mensen.)

Big Heads!

Check this blog post out: Julija's Shop...: A drummer in a tree some amazing stuff on the other end!
(no picture, but click and ... yes, they're there!)

A Donkey...

... doesn't bump into the same stone twice. Or.... As stupid as a pig's behind. Just two Dutch sayings describing.... ME!
Look what I did last winter
And look what I did now

There's two upsides:
- WeeWee's doll is getting a very chique handmade collection of FELT outfits
- I've discovered a yarn that felts easily and beautifully (Manos Silk Blend)

(It wasn't completely dumb ass by the way, I washed it at 30 degrees Celsius in a wool program, all other knitwear came out just fine.... have no clue what happened!)

Jaune

And again, yellow seems to be the theme color in our lives...

Le Grand Depart du Tour de France in Rotterdam

Note how even my little boy is dressed in yellow.

The garden is joining the theme.
From little specks of yellow...

to big and bold yellow...

overwhelming yellow,

to our future dinner.

My favorite T
(though 2 sizes too small and so I never actually wear it),

drying in the garden.

The kid's toys.

And, yes, some knitting too.
Swatching for a new design.
(the yellow is actually about 500% brighter,
but I can't seem to get it right using photoshop, so I'll just leave it to your imagination.)

Wool waiting to be cleaned and plucked

to be used as filling for a knitted toy.

The old wooden shoes (klompen) I used to wear my son's age.
He can't seem to get used to them but I just leave them hanging around for memories sake.