Saturday, August 19, 2006

Stitches Classes

I took 3 classes at Stitches, all I would recommend for different & the same reasons.
The same? The teacher's brains.

I took Lily Chin's darts class, amazing. Her brain is this technically powerhouse. She said she's been teaching this class for 15 years. She crystallized the concept & practice of darts to a pin prick of light, cracked open our brains & poured so much information in that by the end of class I was a drooling idiot not sure if I even remember what stst is. And she's anal, I love an anal teacher. I would take any class from her if you get the chance.

I took Debbie New's Freeform Knitting class. For Debbie you have to be willing to actively work in class. She is not a 'pour it in your brain' teacher. She talks while you knit, answers questions, strolls the class. She does not suffer fools, she ignores them. If you asks a stupid questions like, "But how does it work, or what should I do next", she will smile sweetly and say, "just keep knitting". If you are actively working and trying and asking reasonably intelligent and applicable questions, she will come over work with you on your piece, she'll show you how her brain works
and give you clues to how yours could work differently too. If you are a strict "I want that (pattern, color, yarn) knitter this class isn't for you.

The last class I took was Sally Melville's Creativity class. I love to listen to Sally talk. We have such different styles and ideas when it comes to knitting, but I love how she thinks about knitting. She tells a wonderful tale that is the perfect left/right brain balance - a little smoke & mirrors and a few scientific facts, shake until frothy & dispense with unceasing positivity.
It's a class that reminds you to push yourself.

I met many, many fans of Big Girl Knits & Knitty handed out buttons and signed books and other things. I had the quintessential rock star moment, but I'm waiting to be sent photographic proof before I talk about it.

No we didn't go to the banquet/fashion show. I heard Rick wore gold lame -head to toe. And that all that really needs to be said.

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

the free form class sounds great.
i need some help in that department.
(also, having my brain blown wide open and having knowlege poured in would be good too!)

i'll be here, on the edge of my seat, waiting to hear about your rock star moment!

2:18 PM  
Blogger Lloer said...

My guess is that you got to sign someone's boob!

This Big Girl thinks you deserve all the acclaim. Your book is the best thing to happen in knitting for a long time.

4:51 PM  
Blogger Christina said...

I'm not sure if I'd want to take a class from Lily Chin. She kind of annoys me.

6:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, man - sounds like *heaven*. Someday I have to go to one of those & take classes, too.
Gold lame? Oh, my. I hope some of it was knitted (ha ha).
You're a celeb in my books :)

10:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I totally agree about Lily Chin as a teacher--she's a powerhouse!

Many thanks for your perceptive comments about the other two teachers--I've been contemplating taking classes with them and am glad for your input.

12:15 PM  

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