The dummy would be me.
I attended Interweave's Knitting Lab in New Hampshire on Thursday and Friday. The impetus was the book my son gave me for my birthday. Nancy Marchant was teaching 3 classes on Brioche stitch. I wanted to take the basic class and the two color class, but the basic class filled quickly. I signed up then for the two color and the lace brioche classes, figuring I had plenty of time to practice basic brioche using the book. Well, you know how it goes, I waited until the last minute to learn basic brioche, using the book, Youtube, and online sources.
These were the swatches made at home. The top sample is brioche knit, and the bottom is brioche purl. You can see there was a great difference in tension, plus errors in the purl sample.
Apparently I left my brain at home, because the 2-color class nearly did me in. I lost count of how many times I ripped and restarted swatches. Then I decided I'd relax and practice a little plain brioche- and botched that too. This was as much fun as making those Egg-stra Special socks. I worked away that night in the hotel room, trying to make a decent swatch, to no avail.
Views from 7th floor on damp gray autumn evening in NH
I knew the Friday morning class on knitting 2 color brioche lace would make my head explode, so I considered cutting my losses ($95) and heading home. First I went to registration to see if I could switch to another class, but there were few 3-hour ones that were not filled. So, I went to the class and told Nancy I would be 'auditing', and continuing to practice basic and 2 color brioche. I did manage to make a nice single color swatch, and then an almost-right 2-color swatch, before the class ended. Never did get to the increases and decreases. Someday. Wouldn't it be wonderful to knit some of these beauties?
The market at the conference was small but good quality. I bought a cheery mitten kit, some intriguing yarn hand dyed by a husband and wife team, and a Classic Elite pattern booklet.. I thought the cover vest might look cool in this yarn.
One of the best things about going to these events is meeting other knitters. I was on my own, but met Mary from Missouri, who shared lunch, supper, and breakfast with me, as we talked all things knitterly and otherwise. She was staying for the entire conference thanks to her husband, who sent her to it as a birthday present- Wow!
Ouch! I'm glad you were able to have a good visit with Mary despite your frustration with brioche. I know that you won't give up easily, though, and we'll be seeing some lovely pieces on your blog in future.
Posted by: Debby | October 08, 2012 at 09:14 PM
Oh, I am in awe of the things brioche knitters can make. I think you showed great persistence and perseverance and you did so well!! What a nice husband that lady has. That's a beautiful view from your window, glad you had a nice time and found some great things to buy!!
Posted by: 2paw | October 10, 2012 at 12:32 AM
What fun. That hand dyed yarn seems like a bargain. I think I might rather eat brioche than knit it. I'll have to give it a try.
Posted by: Lifesastitch | October 11, 2012 at 10:02 PM