Monday, August 24, 2009

Fiber Pursuits

This weekend I had a great time on a Tactile Travel tour to Shelburne, MA to visit Barbara Parry's farm. The trip was arranged as part of our Slater Mill Knitting Guild activities for this year. Not only did we play with the sheep, but we also saw Barbara's studio where we could buy some fiber , yarn or spindles. Some of us spun with our new Kundert spindles while others took part in a spindle spinning class. Still others knitted in her barn to the tune of her sheep songs.


I slipped over to her beautiful garden for a few shots.

Barbara captured the visit at her blog.After a mostly rain free visit,we headed for the Northampton Brewery then Webs. What a way to end the day!

Provisional Cast Ons
If you're like me I'm always on the hunt for a provisional cast on method that's easy. I've tried many, but I've settled in on a crocheted method. What's so wonderful about it is that it always works properly. No trying to figure out which crochet chain side from which to pick up the stitches to begin a project. Also unzipping is a breeze! It basically allows you to crochet stitches onto the needle you will use for your project.

The best directions are always visual. Check out this Knitting Daily's video featuring Eunny Jang
where she shows several methods. What method do you favor?

6 comments:

Carol said...

Looks like it was a great day. The spindles are beautiful.

cyndy said...

WoW!

Sounds like a wonderful time!

And I like that video very much, it was very helpful when I was trying to tell my mother how to do a provisional cast on...over the phone! I finally found the video and sent the link to her email!

I like the crochet method the best.

Sharon said...

I was trying to figure out the same thing and my friend Allison the knitting instructor swears by the crochet method. She says you just unzip it when you're done. Meanwhile I have yet to make a toe for a toe-up sock.

Anonymous said...

It looks like a fun trip.
I am sorry I couldnt make it, and glad you ladies had fun!

Laurie said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Barb has time for a garden, too??

Will look at the video. Always looking to expand the skillset.

knitseashore said...

What a beautiful garden! So glad you had a fun time together. It was nice seeing you at Unwind a few weeks ago. Hope you found lots of wonderful yarn there!