Yarn Me Over
Jeeze Louise what a day!
The Yarn Over Event is in it's 20th year, and I am astounded at the work that the guild put into it! Shelley Hermanson and all of the other Guild folks worked like Amish at a barn raising to make an event that was well planned, effiicent and a butt-load of fun!
So much great stuff in one day - so many really fun and excited students - a chance to reconnect with Melissa Leapman (she's such a dear) and spend some time getting to know Lucy Neatby (who I hadn't really "met" before, although I'd taken classes and admire her work so much!) Then there were the vendors (beautiful yarns, buttons, beads, patterns, SOAP and exquisite pottery*
My classes were LARGE - I was afraid that there wouldn't be enough seating for all of the students in the combo class, but as the other teachers and I compared notes at dinner last night we realized that this was a joyful experience because the students were all SO EXCEPTIONAL! They "got it" right away, even the ones who took an extra bit of time weren't slow (not by any means!) but just a little more deliberate in their thinking.
This is the kind of student every teacher loves - someone who's open to new things, will jump in and try stuff, and is ready to go along for a wild ride. We don't necessarily want a class of expert knitters (heaven help us!) but a class of folks who are eager and engaged and full of knitting curiosity. I had TWO of those classes yesterday, and I am the luckiest teacher in the world!
By the end of the Cable class it was obvious that EVERYONE could use a nap. I used to push, push, push my students right up to the last minute of the class, but I've begun to realize that sometimes discretion is the better part of educating. When folks are full up of info, their heads are spinning (and exploding) and they just want to have a cup of coffee or a nap, you can undo a lot of what you've done by pushing them into one more knitting calesthentic. A long and hard lesson for me to learn, but it's sinking in. It's refreshing that I have so much to learn, too!
Today my search for a cheap flop house continues (not really, just inexpensive with wireless internet in a not-scary neighborhood). I have my eye on a motel in St. Louis Park, and that will give me a chance to visit THAT neighborhood.
I may drop in to a knitting session later today at Borealis Yarns and - I'm not kidding - look at REAL ESTATE. [Gerry - I know you read this - here are two links: Minnesota Jobs and Craig's List MN Jobs
I mentioned in my classes that I wanted to move here, and talked about my husband and what a great guy he was (low key, funny, not a show-off, very good at what he does, kind) and someone said, "Is he from Minnesota?" I do hate the stereotype that NY area folks aren't nice - we're VERY nice - but there are SO MANY of us that you can't help but get frustrated and lose your cool sometimes. That may be what folks see and remember when they visit NY and NJ, which is sad. But folks here ARE very nice - everyone I've met is very welcoming - and that's a refreshing thing.
Did I mention that I am LOVING this place. And it's raining so my breathing is sub-excellent, but I still love it. I asked in my class should I move to St. Paul or Minneapolis and the strong vocal vote was for St. Paul. But after class a woman came up and quietly said, "You know, those ladies were from St. Paul. It's nice, but Minneapolis is nice, too... You'd like Minneapolis."
Last night the Guild took the teachers out to dinner - a quiet spot in a comfortable, sports-bar-ish family restaurant with a prom party going on. The kids were so cute in their prom clothes, and it was LIGHT YEARS different than what prom dinners have become in NJ. I never went to prom, but I know that our own school's experience was very low key compared to the expensive big deal that proms tend to be in NJ and NY.
I had a beer (!) and a filet mignon sandwhich (new experience for me) and was so happy and full and content! Lucy Neatby and I talked about our kids, Charlotte Quiggle and I talked about our parallel past lives as Time Inc., employees and our shared friends, and I relaxed. I realized as I finished my sandwhich that between the exhaustion and beer I'd better get myself back to the hotel while I was still awake enough to drive, and even found a short cut on the way back. (That was the PT Cruiser magic.)
*Sheep, spindle, nature and yarn themed pottery by Jennie Lanners (she doesn't have a website, but she is WORTH seeking out! - if you email me I'll send you her email address and she'll be at the Shepherds Harvest fair May 13 & 14. I love nice pottery, I usually buy a piece - but her stuff was just stunning! She'd sold out of the mug I wanted, so I'll be ordering from her when I get home (that way I won't break the mug on the way home, which is a GREAT possibility!
The Yarn Over Event is in it's 20th year, and I am astounded at the work that the guild put into it! Shelley Hermanson and all of the other Guild folks worked like Amish at a barn raising to make an event that was well planned, effiicent and a butt-load of fun!
So much great stuff in one day - so many really fun and excited students - a chance to reconnect with Melissa Leapman (she's such a dear) and spend some time getting to know Lucy Neatby (who I hadn't really "met" before, although I'd taken classes and admire her work so much!) Then there were the vendors (beautiful yarns, buttons, beads, patterns, SOAP and exquisite pottery*
My classes were LARGE - I was afraid that there wouldn't be enough seating for all of the students in the combo class, but as the other teachers and I compared notes at dinner last night we realized that this was a joyful experience because the students were all SO EXCEPTIONAL! They "got it" right away, even the ones who took an extra bit of time weren't slow (not by any means!) but just a little more deliberate in their thinking.
This is the kind of student every teacher loves - someone who's open to new things, will jump in and try stuff, and is ready to go along for a wild ride. We don't necessarily want a class of expert knitters (heaven help us!) but a class of folks who are eager and engaged and full of knitting curiosity. I had TWO of those classes yesterday, and I am the luckiest teacher in the world!
By the end of the Cable class it was obvious that EVERYONE could use a nap. I used to push, push, push my students right up to the last minute of the class, but I've begun to realize that sometimes discretion is the better part of educating. When folks are full up of info, their heads are spinning (and exploding) and they just want to have a cup of coffee or a nap, you can undo a lot of what you've done by pushing them into one more knitting calesthentic. A long and hard lesson for me to learn, but it's sinking in. It's refreshing that I have so much to learn, too!
Today my search for a cheap flop house continues (not really, just inexpensive with wireless internet in a not-scary neighborhood). I have my eye on a motel in St. Louis Park, and that will give me a chance to visit THAT neighborhood.
I may drop in to a knitting session later today at Borealis Yarns and - I'm not kidding - look at REAL ESTATE. [Gerry - I know you read this - here are two links: Minnesota Jobs and Craig's List MN Jobs
I mentioned in my classes that I wanted to move here, and talked about my husband and what a great guy he was (low key, funny, not a show-off, very good at what he does, kind) and someone said, "Is he from Minnesota?" I do hate the stereotype that NY area folks aren't nice - we're VERY nice - but there are SO MANY of us that you can't help but get frustrated and lose your cool sometimes. That may be what folks see and remember when they visit NY and NJ, which is sad. But folks here ARE very nice - everyone I've met is very welcoming - and that's a refreshing thing.
Did I mention that I am LOVING this place. And it's raining so my breathing is sub-excellent, but I still love it. I asked in my class should I move to St. Paul or Minneapolis and the strong vocal vote was for St. Paul. But after class a woman came up and quietly said, "You know, those ladies were from St. Paul. It's nice, but Minneapolis is nice, too... You'd like Minneapolis."
Last night the Guild took the teachers out to dinner - a quiet spot in a comfortable, sports-bar-ish family restaurant with a prom party going on. The kids were so cute in their prom clothes, and it was LIGHT YEARS different than what prom dinners have become in NJ. I never went to prom, but I know that our own school's experience was very low key compared to the expensive big deal that proms tend to be in NJ and NY.
I had a beer (!) and a filet mignon sandwhich (new experience for me) and was so happy and full and content! Lucy Neatby and I talked about our kids, Charlotte Quiggle and I talked about our parallel past lives as Time Inc., employees and our shared friends, and I relaxed. I realized as I finished my sandwhich that between the exhaustion and beer I'd better get myself back to the hotel while I was still awake enough to drive, and even found a short cut on the way back. (That was the PT Cruiser magic.)
*Sheep, spindle, nature and yarn themed pottery by Jennie Lanners (she doesn't have a website, but she is WORTH seeking out! - if you email me I'll send you her email address and she'll be at the Shepherds Harvest fair May 13 & 14. I love nice pottery, I usually buy a piece - but her stuff was just stunning! She'd sold out of the mug I wanted, so I'll be ordering from her when I get home (that way I won't break the mug on the way home, which is a GREAT possibility!
posted by Annie at
Sunday, April 30, 2006
12 Comments:
Sounds like you had a great time! I can personally vouch for the niceness of New Yorkers/New Jerseyers. On the train back to NJ, a very nice fellow helped me with my ginormous (and I do mean ginormous) suitcase that I couldn't quite get out the door. Poor guy dang near threw his back out! Thanks for the pottery link! My mom collects dishes so this would make a great Mom's day gift for her.
I loved your class yesterday (I was the tall stitch in stitch theater in your combo class). Yarnover was fabulous, and I'm enjoying trying out combination knitting on some of my projects! I'll put my vote in for St Paul as a place to live, but both the Cities are really lovely. Also, Borealis yarns is one of my favorite shops of all time..great atmosphere, truly helpful staff, and a great back room PACKED with yarn!
~Flan (flanknitsATyahooDOTcom
sounds like a good time was had by all. you know, i wouldn't be hurt in the slightest if you moved to minnesota. that's only 5 or 6 hours away, as opposed to being 17 or 18! and lucy neatby is coming to my favorite LYS to teach a couple of classes, and i CAN'T MAKE IT! darned old work, anyway. sigh.
I'm glad you're still loving Minnesota, despite the rain (honestly, this many days in a row is relatively rare). I apologize my last note seemed rather brainless....but you were *fabulous* (and I mean that in the nice way!) in class yesterday.
I put in my vote for Minneapolis - I was born and raised there, and imho it is easier to learn to get around. Minneapolis is logical: one set of numbers per block, many of the blocks are alphabetical (or close). St. Paul has no such standardized system! But both cities are beautiful and have wonderful architecture.
I hope you continue to enjoy your stay here!
Amy from the Combo class
i've always loved the honesty of new yorkers... main great thing about vassar and surrounds.... was the people, well the food, and the yarn and the rhinebeck yarn festival..
:L
All this talk about Minnesota got me looking up the state on Google Earth (I was trying to find that lake!). Now I want to move to Minnesota, but I really don't like it when the temperature dips below 70 degrees and I have a feeling (LOL) that the winters can get pretty bad. Maybe when I win the Lottery I can buy a summer home up there.
Cathy
I moved to SE MN (I'm about 45 min south of the cities, in Northfield) after living in central NJ (New Brunswick/Monmouth Junction) from 1996-2003 and Arlington MA (right next to Boston) from 2003-2005. It's quite a culture shock and a different (uh, whiter and more Lutheran) way of life, but I've really enjoyed living in Minnesota. If you'd like to ask any ?s, just drop me a line.
*DO* move to Minnesota, Annie--you'll never regret it. I moved back here after 27 years on the Upper West Side and am glad I did. I still can keep in touch w/Manhattan & other East Coast friends, but have met many like-minded fibery people here. Minnesota's an easy place to live, whether in Minneapolis or St Paul. Myself, I live about 50 miles NW of the Twin Cities, out in the country on a lake. The biggest difference between rural Minnesota and the Upper West Side is that I have to spend about 8 hours a week mowing the grass/field--never had to mow those sidewalks at 72nd and B'way.
Annie, I just wanted to say that I SO enjoyed your combo class at YO!! Minnesota would love to have you as a permanent resident! You will have to visit those of us from the Northern Lights affiliate of the guild, here in Duluth. You want a lake? We've got THE greatest of the lakes, and lots of fun knitters to boot! Thanks again for your part in making the Yarn Over great for so many of us!
Laura
I am so glad that you nont only found Minnesota beautiful,but that we also lived up to our "Minnesota Nice" moniker. I sadly never made it to a single of your classes, and I need a class (or 12) in a very desperate way. If you do decide to make such a move I can guarantee at least 1 regular student.
Hurrah that you're enjoying MN - it is pretty here right now, isn't it?
Personally, I prefer St Paul's architecture (I live in Minneapolis, and it seems like so many of the beautiful old buildings have been torn down).
But both towns are cool: people are very engaged in the communities, there is incredible biking (many, many miles of trails), and lovely oases of natural beauty (parts of Father Hennepin Park feels so wild, it's as if you've fallen through Alice's rabbit hole!).
I'm so sorry I won't get a chance to meet you while you're here; work is impossible this week!
Hi, Annie! I was at Yarnover and snuck into your room during break to have you sign my copies of your books. I'm a big fan of your work, and have been reading your thoughts on moving to the Twin Cities. My vote is for the St. Louis Park suburb - we're practically in Minneapolis, and we have great schools and affordable property values.
I thought of you today while I was at Shepherd's Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival - another attraction that I'm sure you would enjoy if you lived here. You can check out my blog entry about it if you're interested at www.shellykang.com - I hope to see you around again soon!
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