Nancy Bush Knitting Workshops

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FYI, local folks -- this looks like a fantastic opportunity. I'd seriously consider doing this myself, except that I don't think I'm advanced enough, unfortunately. I hear nothing but great things about Nancy Bush, though. If someone decides to take one or more of these classes, let me know, because I want to live vicariously through you!

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Dear Friends:

Ok, Ok, I know you’re probably thinking that I get excited about everything related to knitting, and I do, but this time I’m really, really excited! You are in for a treat with the upcoming Nancy Bush Workshops. Nancy has been one of my knitting mentors for many, many years. When I first started reading Knitter’s magazine in the 80’s, Nancy had a column called Knitster’s Notebook. I found myself turning to that column first thing every new issue. Already a seasoned knitter, I was delighted to find that I was learning new techniques with every read. Then, I tracked her down in other publications, including Threads magazine (when they still had knitting articles) and Interweave’s Knits. When Nancy’s first book, Folk Socks, was published, I went over the cliff. This book changed my life (much as Elizabeth Zimmerman’s books had many years earlier). The socks were so beautiful, the patterns so straightforward, I determined that I would make every single pair of socks in that book. I didn’t succeed, but it made me an avid sock knitter. Her other sock books, Knitting on the Road and, most recently, Knitting Vintage Socks, are equally captivating. When Nancy Bush discovered the traditions of Estonia, knitters around the world discovered the same treasures through her eyes. Her book, Folk Knitting in Estonia, is a gorgeous book full of enticing patterns. Nancy Bush is a fabulous knitter, designer and instructor, and we are so honored to have her teaching in our shop. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, famous as the Yarn Harlot, wrote on her blog in November 2004 that Nancy Bush “is a goddess walking the earth as a woman,” and listed the “Top 10 Reasons Nancy Bush is so Cool I Can Hardly Stand It.” I couldn’t have said it better.

There is still room in Nancy Bush’s Workshops the weekend of April 29th & 30th. Join us at one or all of them:

SATURDAY, APRIL 29,
Estonian Lace: 9am to 12noon Estonia has a lace tradition spanning nearly 200 years. You will learn about its unique stitch patterns, special edging and corner treatments for modern lace, and some very different ways of creating texture in lace. For the intermediate to advanced knitter. $45; reduced rate of $150 to enroll in the entire two days of workshops. $3.00 handout fee. Limit 20.

Nordic Color—An Inlay Technique from Estonia: 1 to 4pm Estonians use a special inlay technique for decorating gloves and socks similar to embroidery but worked right into the knitting. By knitting a sample, students will learn how to read the charts and work this unique and colorful embellishment. This class is for the intermediate knitter. $45; reduced rate of $150 to enroll in the entire two days of workshops. $3.00 handout fee. Limit 20.

SUNDAY, APRIL 30,
Vintage Socks—Old Tricks for New Socks: 9am-4pm (with a 1-hour break at noon). This workshop will begin with a discussion of the patterns that were written for sock and stocking knitting in the 19th century, drawing extensively from the Weldon’s Practical Needlework journals. Nancy will look at styles that were popular and how they translate into modern times. She will also discuss the patterns, how they were written and how best to translate them into 21st century knitting language. Students will make a sampler in this class, using techniques adapted from Nancy’s new book, Knitting Vintage Socks, including a very interesting heel and toe shaping not commonly used today. Students should have intermediate knitting skills and have experience knitting socks with either double pointed needles or the Magic Loop. $85; reduced rate of $150 to enroll in the entire two days of workshops. $5.00 handout fee separate. Limit 20

On behalf of Kat, Carol and staff-- maybe being a Nancy Bush groupie is in your future. Happy knitting!! Cathy

Knitting Sisters
Village Shops at Kingsmill
1915 Pocahontas Trail
Williamsburg, VA 23185
(757)258-5005
(757)258-8778-fax

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If I hurry up and finish my sock, maybe I could qualify for the sock class? Or is that a stretch?
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