El Segundo Slipt Stitchers

In case you are interested in the the process used to choose the classes for Sivia's workshop, here's the note Nancy sent out about the voting:

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Thank you, thank you one and all for sending in your votes for the upcoming workshop in September with Sivia Harding!!  And a big thank you as well to those who let me know they won’t be attending.  The final tally is in and here are your choices (drum roll, please!):

The winner with the most votes is the Rainshadow Scarf. 

Sivia will use this beautiful, ram’s-horn shaped garter stitch scarf to teach two different short row techniques for use in two different design contexts – one for learning how to insert decorative wedges that will also shape your projects (little short-rowed color insets adorn one side of the ram’s horn shape), and the other for creating long, curved, length-wise stripes to shape your fabric (stripes and eyelets wind their way up and around the long curve). Beads are placed with the crochet hook add-as-you-go method. She’ll also deepen your knowledge about using lace, beads, color stripes, and how to deal with all the issues that you will encounter such as weaving in ends and carrying yarns. Great choice, you guys!

Next up, following closely on Rainshadow’s heels, is Fluency Fingerless Gloves.

These exquisite gloves (fingered or fingerless) feature an easy swirled rib pattern embellished with beads and are the perfect project for learning the method of knitting with pre-strung beads while delving into glove knitting tips and tricks.  You’ll love how the ribs open to reveal the hidden beads glimmering when you stretch them over your hands, as well as the special twisted stitch pattern that adorns the thumb. And the ribbing creates a delicious hug for your hands that is very stretchy.  These mitts are a beautiful, quick gift for yourself or someone else.  Let the holiday knitting begin!

Last, but not least, Beaded Bracelets has edged out Harmonias Rings by a nose after a neck and neck race.  These unique bracelets are a perfect opportunity to experiment with a variety of beading techniques while learning a million things about using beads in your knitting projects……..AND they make perfect gifts, too! 

For those whose choice didn’t end up in the top three, I encourage you to try one of the others in its place.  My thought is that the techniques you’ll learn from Sivia during the workshop, will translate to your other patterns and projects, whether they’re Sivia’s, someone else’s or your own designs.  In addition, you’ll have made the face to face connection with this very special teacher and can more easily and directly follow up with her afterwards for additional help.

And for those who like this sort of thing, here are the raw scores from the voting:

Rainshadow- 25

Fluency Fingereless Gloves – 23

Beaded Bracelets – 17

Harmonias Rings – 15

Knotty Scarflet – 12

River Rock Scarf – 10

I-Cord Knitted Jewelry - 10

We try to think of all angles when planning these workshops and your input is so valuable for making successful events happen.  As you might imagine, it’s a tricky business trying to find a balance that will fulfill everyone’s interests and goals for their knitting life.  For example, I wonder if we should have a full week-end on one topic, such as sweater knitting, that many of you would be interested in, but inevitably will not capture those of you who aren’t interested in that one topic?  Or do we pick a great teacher who can teach two or three different topics over the week-end that will appeal to a variety of people and their interests?   I know we won’t be able to plan something that will meet everyone’s expectations every time, but my hope is that with two workshop week-ends per year, everyone will get some satisfaction at least 1x/year.

So once again, thank you for weighing in.  We always want to know what you’re thinking so we can make these workshops as relevant and meaningful to all the members as they can be.  Remember, it’s your ideas and thoughts that will make our Guild all that you want it to be.