Mother - Daughter Bonding, part 2

My mother loves me. How do I know this, you ask? Well, of course she tells me all the time, but also: My mother went with me to a yarn festival.

Let me clarify: my mother knows how to knit, but she's not a knitter. She's an embroiderer. So, while I was completely in my element, she was a bit out of hers.

This past weekend was the 6th Annual Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival. My awesome brothers and their families purchased me a ticket and a class for Christmas. How cool is that?

Mom and I headed out bright and early in the morning, leaving while it was still dark. Arriving at the hotel, we got in line and waited to register. My class was first thing (registration opened at 8:30, my class was at 9am.) Got through and settled in my class.

The class was a learn to Fair Isle class. This is a stranded knitting technique using 2 colors of yarn in each row. Eleanor Swogger was an amazing teacher. She began by teaching us all how to knit continental. This is knitting holding your yarn in your left hand (I learned to knit American, with the yarn held in my right hand.) Once we got the hang of that, we began with the fair isle pattern. This is accomplished by using both Continental and American techniques, using a different color of yarn in each hand. Sounds complicated, and it felt wonky at first, but after I got the hang of it, it made perfect sense. I was so excited to walk away with a new technique.

I continued working on the hat that night and finished it the following morning. The "right side" of the hat shows off the pattern beautifully. The "wrong" side is stranded, carrying the yarn that isn't used in each stitch behind it. This adds an extra layer of warmth in the hat.

While I was at my class, Mom settled down in the lobby to embroider. She was only asked once about embroidering at the knit festival.

With my class over, we switched places. I took up residence on the couch while Mom went off to a learn to crochet class. The class was quick and the teacher went a little too fast, but Mom came away with a swatch of different stitches, a ball of yarn and a crochet hook.

After having some lunch (at the advice of others who have been to the festival before, we packed a lunch. Great recommendation!) we headed into the market place. The whole set up took my breath away. So much yarn, so many vibrant colors, amazing textures, sights and sounds! There were 50 booths with so many different wares on display. Mom and I had a great time walking through and looking at everything. I walked away with some amazing sock yarn that I can't wait to work with.

After the festival, we made a side trip to IKEA. Had fun looking through the store, although by that point my nerves were a little fried. I'd been surrounded by people all day and the store was so crowded that it was a bit overwhelming. We had a few great finds, some dinner in the cafeteria, then headed home.

It was a great day. Thank you Mom for spending it with me!