More Adventures at Verb

Even though I'd successfully finished Angostura, when I saw that Ysolda was returning to the Bay Area to teach a class specifically about her book, I couldn't resist. In fact, I sorta talked two of my knitting friends into taking the class as well (although unfortunately we took it at different times).



The rest of the store was packed, because it was also the one-year anniversary of Verb's grand opening. Graceful tall white curtains separated us from most of the madness. I'd brought a bunch of different size needles and a tape measure (just in case), along with my copy of Little Red in the City. I found my seat and set up my stuff.



The class was mostly about information in the "introductory" portion of the book, and although I'd read through some of it, having a class was definitely helpful! Being able to ask for clarification about what was written in the book, hearing from the author herself about the most important parts (and having her tell you what the most important parts were!), and taking notes the whole time really solidified the information in my brain. I'm also very grateful to have the condensed-version handout that Ysolda made for us.

I'll admit to being a bit of a keener. When Ysolda asked for a volunteer, I immediately raised my hand Hermoine Granger-fashion, before I even knew what she wanted us to volunteer for. Turns out she wanted to do a measuring demonstration about how some of us ladies are a little *ahem* more 3-dimensional in the front than in the back.

I also got a good mental kick in the pants, because I did this thing that my own students do all the time which really bugs me. I haven't really done successful short-row shaping for the bust of a fitted sweater, and I wanted to know the best way to perform the wrap-and-turn. Ysolda gently pointed out that the book outlined three different methods that all effectively produce the same result, with very explicit tutorial-style instructions. Guess I should have read the book a little more carefully before asking my question! I wasn't put off at all, and now I think I need to just knit a wrap-and-turn swatch to get the hang of it. Overall, the class was very good and it was (in my opinion) dead cheap. I would have paid more for this class, and I would have really shelled out for a full-day workshop where we could measure ourselves and actually swatch. I left the class with new sweaters dancing in my head, but also with the knowledge that the holidays were right around the corner.

The only thing that could possibly have distracted me from crazily attempting to knit a sweater while simultaneously embarking on holiday gift knitting is this:



My new sewing machine.

I bought more fabric than yarn during the anniversary sale after the class was over. More adventures to come.

Where did October go?

Goodness gracious. It's been awhile since I blogged, and I am DEFINITELY properly ashamed. Hopefully, I'll be able to distract you with photos of the latest knitting FO.

Introducing Angostura:



I adore it. It's the first knitted vest I've made, and Ysolda's instructions didn't lead me wrong. I wore it to work on an evaluation day, because I wanted to look smart and professional and feel confident.



The cable at the small of my back is still utterly charming.



It's not quite cold enough to wear it with a long-sleeved shirt, but we've had a couple of nippy mornings over the past two weeks (along with some very sunny afternoons). I'm betting this will see a lot more action as the weather continues to cool down.

The best part about this vest is that it's made from swap yarn (Cascade 220 Heathers, for those who are interested). I used a little more than 3 skeins for the vest. Given the tremendous amount of swatching that I did for this project, I'm glad I had a lot of extra yarn. And how there's some left over for a hat!

All of my happiness and swatch madness aside, I still chose the pattern size a teensy bit haphazardly. I really need to sit down (or stand up) and honestly take my measurements, and it's really incredibly difficult to do that when you're excited to cast on for a new project. To combat the startitis, I've signed up for Ysolda's class at Verb next weekend. There are still a few spots left in the Saturday afternoon class, and Ysolda is signing books in between. My goals are to take good measurements, and to learn more about short rows. I partially started with Angostura because it doesn't really need short row shaping, but it's a technique I'll need to get more practice with if I'm going to be really satisfied with my sweaters in the future. Until then, I can daydream about which one to start next!

Smith! (Or, my continuing obsession with Ysolda)

Okay, so I entered Ysolda's Hedgehog contest. This morning I opened my email to find that I got the right number of hedgehogs!!!

And then I realized (belatedly) that I already own a copy of the adorable Smith pattern, since it's part of the Whimsical Little Knits 2 collection. So I've decided to pass the good karma along, and give away my own copy of the Smith pattern. Share the love, right? Here's the contest:

What pattern did I use to knit my wedding shawl (the white shawl in Ysolda's hedgehog contest blog post)? Leave a comment with your answer!

Multiple correct answers will be decided by random number generator, and I'll close the contest at 9:30AM tomorrow (PST).

Countdown!

I've got everything ready for tomorrow. The camera is packed in my purse (I really need to be a good blogger and take lots of photos). My copy of Whimsical Little Knits 1 has been retrieved from the knitting bookshelf, ready to be signed. I've decided on what I'll wear: My Snapdragon tam, and my blue Pomatomus socks. Oh, didn’t you hear? Cookie A is going to be speaking tomorrow, too! It’s going to be an awesome event, I just know it. In case you haven't seen the announcement on Ravelry, here's the details for the event:

When: Friday, January 14th, 2011
What: 4:30pm Ysolda will talk and answer questions
5:30-6pm Ysolda and Cookie book signing
6-8pm Artist Reception celebrating the work of Sonya Phillip
Where: A Verb for Keeping Warm, 6328 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA, 510-595-verb

I've got something to keep my hands warm tomorrow:



something to squish while I watch tv, waiting to get tired enough to sleep:



and something to tide me over craft-wise tonight while I decide what to cast on for next:







The color is best on that last photo, and the processing was worth every penny. I've got a little bit of plying to clear off the bobbins, and then it's going to be lots and lots of dark brown on the wheel for a really long time.

The only thing I have left to plan for tomorrow is what I'll be knitting. I'm a little hesitant to cast on the Veyla mitts, as I want something I can knit and not have to pay too much attention to. I don't want to be distracted by a chart. I'm thinking that perhaps the famous Ishbel in Verb's Creating or perhaps in handspun would be good? I probably would still be on the stockinette portion, I highly doubt I'll be on the lacey part Some Polwarth Wee Mushrooms? While I was rooting through my stash looking for matches between a Verb yarn and an Ysolda pattern, I was very much struck by how complementary they are! No wonder I love her patterns so much.

Oh, I forgot one more thing I have to plan: what to ask during the Q&A. What do you guys think?