Knitter's Connection - Day 1

All knitting...all day. Now that's what I call a good day!

Knitter's Connection is a new (this is it's second year) knitting convention hosted here in Columbus, OH by Knitter's Mercantile, a LYS (local yarn shop). It's four wonderful days full of knitting classes with well-known knitting designers/instructors, plus lots of other knitting fun.

So, I learned about grafting with Lucy Neatby this morning. She was fabulous! I can't wait to start on some more complex projects now that I know an easy way to graft. I've gotten the impression from other knitter's that grafting is difficult and frustrating, but Lucy made it very simple. I'm considering getting some of her instructional dvds, I just can't decide on which ones. She's very good at explaining rather complicated ideas in a very clear and easy to understand manner. If you want to learn to knit or to improve specific skills, I would highly recommend her dvds.

Then I took a class on basic choices & pattern drafting with the wonderful Sally Melville! I own the first three of her "Knitting Experience" books and can't wait for the rest of the series. I use her books a lot for reference and they were a big help in teaching me to knit. I love her patterns also. So it was a thrill to take a class with her. I haven't made a sweater yet, but I now know how to adjust patterns to suit me. Can't wait to start on my first sweater. After taking her class, I want to change my first sweater project and do something more complex so I can use the information that I've learned.

I got to meet some really nice knitters from Ravelry. Jess & Casey of Ravely showed up for the Welcome Reception, but I was too shy to go over and talk to them. But they're doing a presentation tomorrow night that I don't plan on missing.

After the Welcome Reception, Clara Parkes of Knitter's Review gave a lecture on yarn. She's got a new book out, The Book of Yarn, that I think I might just have to get. I've seen her book, but must admit that I had never been to Knitter's Review before tonight. She was very amusing and I really enjoyed her lecture.

I only signed up for three days of classes, so I do have to go to work tomorrow. However, I'll be heading back to the convention tomorrow evening for the Ravelry presentation.