Retreating Part Three (Really)

Of course, Kerry and I didn't go to the retreat just so that we could fondle yarn all day long. We also went to LEARN new skills. Included in the cost of the retreat was your choice of three classes; two on Saturday and one on Sunday. Of course, *someone* had forgotten to do their homework for the first class so *someone* was up early Saturday morning sitting in bed, madly crocheting four inch squares. Our first class Saturday morning, "Edgings And Embellishments", was taught by the delightful Jen.

Jen is a Crochet Goddess. She works at Knitting Arts full-time and is also a designer. She's also the organizer of the South Bay Crochet Meet-Up. This girl knows her crochet. Fortunately for me, Jen is not a morning person either so the class was very leisurely. So despite being half asleep I did actually learn some new things. Such as:

This And

This

Since I love making baby blankets it's great to have some new edgings in my arsenal (so to speak). Nothing makes a blanket look more finished than a great edging. And thank goodness, most of these were quite simple to do. One must not tax one's brain too early in the day.

After the class we had a nummy lunch and then Kerry regrouped with Jen to learn how to make a "Summer Hat." I wandered off in search of Gunilla who was teaching "Tunisian Crochet." I had had a short introductory lesson to Tunisian Crochet at Stitches West in February but of course had forgotten everything I learned. Not that it mattered because Gunilla was a marvellous teacher and soon had us madly crocheting what was to become a felted bag. Unfortunately *someone's* hook was too small so *someone* decided to revert to that old stand-by, a scarf.

OK, I don't usually toot my own horn, but frankly I think this is a pretty nice looking scarf. I might even go out on a limb and say beautiful. But trust me, this is a testament to Gunilla's incredible teaching ability because normally my stuff, it don't look so good. And it's not nearly as complicated as it looks. And it's fun! If you haven't tried Tunisian Crochet you really should check it out. I definitely think we have a new obsession here.

Tomorrow's installment - "Amigurumi - Easier To Make Than Say."