Pretty pleased

I was pretty stunned when a friend mentioned to me on Facebook that they "saw my ribbon" at Stampede. I couldn't wait to get down there to do my volunteer spinning and go see the Exhibition - and see my pretty little rosette. Third place in my section, amongst the fantastic knitters on display?

What were those judges thinking? (apparently, good thoughts of my knitting...who knew?)

I am so honoured to be in the company of some fantastic knitters. I am in awe of Marilynn Bonar's lacemaking prowess and ability, and Annie's quiet but graceful way of getting things JUST right, from fibre and pattern choice to just how gorgeous they feel and drape. (By the way, Annie/Spinknit, along with Opera, are fantastic wool judges and did some great fleece judging in the Stampede - for more, read Spinknit's July 15 entry.)

And to be in the company of my other fellow knitters' bravery in showing off this year's creations. Few who see the work on display actually know that these bits are mere snapshots of a larger passion, and the choices to show - or not to - and what to show - or not to - are something that defines each knitter's art.
I was so glad to be able to share my love of fibre, in the opportunity to spin along side a fantastic spinner in the barns, and again, with my guild in the Exhibition. My fellow Sheep Creek Weaver guild members were demonstrating some fantastic wet-felting and pin-felting, plus spinning. I'd like to think those who stopped by are a little wiser for their foray into that cabin, and look a little closer at any knitting or fibre art they next encounter.

By the way, mark your calendars because the Sheep Creek Weavers' annual sale, as we told anyone who would listen, is coming up October 24. Some fabulous one-of-a-kind items, beautifully handmade, and all local, will be at the Millarville Race Track.

A taste of fibre

One might argue I do have enough fibre in my diet, but I don't think so.

Especially when I've been tempted with a gorgeous Fibre Tasting hosted by Bess at Make 1 Yarn Studio, with fibre courtesy of another fabulous fibre friend (can you say that 5 times fast?), Erynn Carney, of Twist of Fate, now in Kamloops, BC.

It's just one of the fun events Bess has going on at the shop. (Let's not forget about World Wide Knit In Public Day - this Saturday, June 13, in Calgary - a co-host with The Knitting Room. We're meeting at Make 1, leaving from Bridgeland LRT station at 11:30, and ending up at Riley Park. Bring a lunch and hat and other necessities for the jaunt.)

This Yumminess Orgy happened at Tuesday knit night yesterday - oooh....too much to ponder. Yes, I certainly petted the 'Tosh.

But there was a gorgeous fishbowl full of some fibre yumminess. With samples of things that had fabulous names: sock yarn in Walk The Line (left) (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon = YUMMY) and Mermaid's Tale (right) (70% Superwash Merino and 30% Seacell - gorgeously soft).
And in fibre clockwise here: Blue-Faced Leicester in Rumble (gorgeous blues, greens & burgundy), 100% alpaca in Vision (blues), oh-so-soft superfine superwash merino in Cherry Bomb (our dear AnneKatrin, lover of all things red & black made off with this after we had a go), Organic Wool in Ooh, My, and hand-dyed Tussah Silk. What you don't see (or maybe peeking through on the spindle is some lovely pink-black Superwash Merino & Bamboo called "Panda Likes It".

And my new little medieval (reproduction from a true relic) pewter-cast dropspindle (quite a tiny but mighty wee tool) had a fabulous time learning how to spin with me, being wooed by the luxury fibres: superfine merino, seacell, silk, a touch of cashmere, organic wool...we became better friends. (We'd been having a difference of opinion since I brought him home; he was behaving all belligerent and wobbly but turns out he just needed a little fibre in his belly to settle him out.)

All to show a little fine food will take a friendship a long way.

And for me, although it was little tastes of everything all night (well sometimes a plateful), thanks to Bess' generosity, I (and my spinning bag) certainly went home full.