Carbondale

An active group of knitters and spinners in the high meadows near Carbondale Colorado invited me up for some band weaving classes. We had a beautiful setting, wonderful meals and long days of weaving and spinning. The group consisted of a potter, a cattle rancher and knitter, a mid-wife knitter, a former librarian, an ancient language scholar, a few teachers, a former caterer, a gardener, a yarn store owner, and me, happy to bask in the reflected glory.

We spun silk, and wove small bands, with the attendant long talks, late into the night, and early rising to see the incredible views and take in the mountain air. And what air! There were thunderstorms, winds and then mild sunny days. You can have it all in one place, within one week!

We made use of every inch of space in our host home's large bright living room:


And I ran into some old acquaintances:


I saw these mittens several years ago in a show in Boulder. I had the pleasure of being a juror for that show, and gave these clever mittens a Judges Choice award. They are fanciful fish, each different, made of handspun yarns from several members of the knitting group here, knit up by Elizabeth Yates. Elizabeth owns the Yarn Garden, in Glenwood Springs, is a local teacher, and is also a spinner. What fun to talk with her, and find out how she made these, what problems she encountered and how she solved them. I plan to make a pair for myself some day, mitered-corner fins and all.

Sad to leave, but I am moving on today, back down to the "flats" at 5000 feet, of Denver. Knitting only in fits and starts myself, and looking forward to more time to do so, while I savor the memories of this past week with a group of very wonderful women.