She's great in person, too I've had a chance to meet Perri Klass. She is a very dear soul, as so many of you already know. I could say she was in my shadow Saturday, but that wouldn't be fair. During an impromptu photo shoot for Perri I was "scrim girl." Alexis Xenakis shot, and Mike Winkleman, wearing the photo-assistant hat, did techie photo-gadget stuff, while I blocked the sun. Alexis got what looked to be, from my angle, some great shots of Perri, and also her mother. Although it is generally frowned on, I fraternized with the talent, and am happy to have had the chance to apologize in person for not being a Perri follower (yet). Stitches classes teach more than knitting To get the scope of what goes on here, imagine a football field. In ten yards you may have passed 3 booths. You might be able to make a pass from the Information Booth to the Learn-to-Knit, but I couldn't. Now take the space above the football field, and fill it with knitting students, but they won't fit, so block out the bleachers for the 35 teachers who teach 138 classes to 1122 enrolled students, who take nearly 3000 classes. It's hard form me to imagine, and I've seen it! Make no mistake, knitting is growing still. Approximately 30% of our teachers are new, teaching imaginative new classes. As many as can, sign up for "core" classes from veteran teachers like Sally Melville, Maggie Jackson, Jean Frost, Barry Klein..., but find themselves freshly inspired in classes like "Cut Without Fear" taught by Therese Chynoweth. While wandering around the football field on 3rd floor, Mike and I found two back-to-back classes that catered to what to do after you've got the knitted thing. Jean Frost was one step away from pad stitching her incredible knitted jackets, walking her students through lining each piece. (Homework for this class was rather ambitious.) Next door Lorna Miser was teaching "Silver Linings." The need for knowledge beyond the knitted and felted bag is creating a deeper demand. Back on the center line of knitting, "Japanese Short Rows," was an extremely well received class by new instructor Susanna Hansson. Sarah Levinson had nothing but good things to say. I took a look at her swatch of invisible short row turns. I couldn't even tell by looking how they were accomplished. Very clever, I'll have to get in on that one! I wonder if Chad can tear himself away from the mic long enough to cover me for awhile... Style Show The seating at the back of the Market filled quickly for the free Style Show at noon, but even the standing-room-only people got the packet of goodies including a pattern from XRX Book's new book Bags-a Knitter's dozen. The models waited their turn "back stage" alongside the food court. This little primping side show turned out to be just the ticket for one standing-room-only watcher. She took the chance to come up and touch the yarn and question us on Maggie's pieces. Before the show was even over she was on her way to pick up a Maggie's Ireland. As usual a model or two fell in love with their sweater. Ginger Luters has quite a following in tall lean circles, and mine too. The show highlighted items from Knitter Fall #76, Module Magic, Bags-Knitter's dozen, and Maggie's Ireland. Knitter of the year for 2004, Care Wear & Bonnie Hagerman We were moved by the presentation of Knitter of the Year to Bonnie Hagerman. The letters in support of her and her contributions through Care Ware were summarized in one letter prefaced by Nancy Thomas of Lion Brand Yarn, and read by Rick Mondragon, Editor of Knitter's Magazine. She began knitting for premature babies, quickly realizing the need was both smaller in size and larger in scope that she had thought. Preemie caps the size of limes were in demand*. When she was not able to meet the per month demand, she began recruiting help and succeeded in generating a wave of help and hope that touched thousands. Thank you, Bonnie, and congratulations! *Bonnie invited everyone attending the Student Banquet to join her cause, over a phone conversation that we all shared. I'm sure she would love your help too! Student Banquet The 350 or so people at the Student Banquet all came to eat and also to either get in touch with their exhibitionism, or their voyeuristic natures. Actually some showed tendencies toward both, but we're not worried. Before we checked out what everyone had done, we had a chance to thank our teachers, catch a glimpse of some XRX Books authors, and we heard from Debbie Macomber, author of The Shop on Blossom Street. OK, you're going to think I'm completely unread, but I hadn't been turned on to that one yet, either, but what a hoot! Debbie is a very entertaining woman-- Debbie, YOU BE MY WOMAN, we'll work out the deal with your husband, and clear it with mine. |