For those of you who don’t know, yet, we have a guest coming to Wild Purls at the end of September and beginning of October, September 30, October 1st and 2nd to be exact. Check it out in the newsletter and on the events page.

She (OK, now you know it’s a female)would very much admire anyone who has multiple interests.

Many knitters knit. OK, that may not sound profound because ALL knitters knit, right? But some knitters knit, play musical instruments, garden, dance, volunteer in their communities or churches, have families, animals and much more. Some do a great deal more than knit.

Our mystery guest has multiple talents.

So, if you figure out who our potential teacher could be, stop by or give us a call with your guess. If you let us know, attend our August announcement and are correct, you will receive a little gift as well as the first opportunity to sign up for the Autumn Mystery Guest workshops. We hope you are as excited as we are about this big event!

Good luck and we hope that helps.

 

Using a medieval loom for cording and needle felted pieces as overlay, Kayla created this beautiful belt to wear for belly dancing. Every piece was made by Kayla and took over 1,000 hours of time. When she twirls and moves, the entire belt swings out and is quite impressive. The yarns are a variety of everything from Jelli Beanz to Lumpy Bumpy. She also needle felted and beaded using things from her stash.

If you’d like to see Kayla and this belt in action, be sure to attend Summer Fair in July. She and her group will be performing on Sunday. Don’t miss this great weekend.

 

This past Saturday morning, our good friend and fellow knitter, Barb had a “Huge Plant Sale” at her home.

After months of snow, cold, wind and rain, we had a warm morning to celebrate this exciting event. No, we didn’t knit, we bought plants, plants and more plants. Barb had each perinnial sorted for sun and shade, herb and flower. It was as if she knew her plants by name. Barb gave us a tour of her gardens and it was truly remarkable to see how well tended she maintains each plant.

I learned so much in a short time. What a talented woman she is and how wonderful to have many of Barb’s plants now residing in our gardens.

 

This morning when I came to the shop, my friend Becky arrived carrying a box. I had no idea what she might have inside this box, but I knew it couldn’t be very big. Now, before we go on, you must know a thing or two about Becky. First, she is the true definition of a renaissance woman. She is a sheep rancher, a business woman, a weaver, a spinner and a knitter, to mention just a few points. She and husband Mike own Valley Creek Ranch, in Park City, MT. Her latest project is a square, lace shawl, knit with Alpaca with a Twist, Fino. And yes, she really knit this in between feeding her flock and weaving.

And she knit these socks too.

And these “Hypnosis” socks from The Eclectic Sole.

Now, I don’t know if you can see the box that the book is propped upon but it has our visitor, which I mentioned at the beginning of the breath taking post.

Would you like to see what’s inside?

Take a breath and get ready…

A baby lamb, born about 7am this morning. She was the runt at only 2pounds 2oz. and was rejected by her mama.

She found four human mamas at Wild Purls. I have not seen so many women swoon this much since a new box of yarn arrived.

We then swooned some more over Becky’s shawl.

But Purl (yes we named her Purl) would have none of that. She needed to let us know that she was hungry and tired and needed her mama. She bleated and bumped the box until she was picked up and fed.

Suddenly, all was well with the world.

A little food and a hug make everyone’s day just a little better.

 

A few weeks back, a group of us adorned the front of the Yellowstone Art Museum. We wrapped, tagged, climbed ladders and added a spark of color and texture to the front of our local museum.

All those who participated felt a sense of euphoria with our spirited endeavor. Since then, I’ve heard a number of comments about our work. Some people found the fun and spirit of “Guerrilla Knitting” as inclusive, public art. Others, not so much. I have heard from those who feel that the museum is far too fine for “knitting.” A museum is a place of dignity and refinement, and we certainly don’t fill the bill on either score.
So, what is art, I ask you? I visited the YAM this past Thursday for the opening of the Polly Apfelbaum exhibit. Quite frankly, she brought up the age old question, “What is art?” Can someone purchase sequined fabric from the fabric store, lay it out on the floor and call it art? Well, to some, that is exactly what Polly did. However, in speaking to her, she explained that the reflection of the color on the walls and ceiling were her art. The architecture of the room, becomes art. Who knew? I walked through the entire exhibit looking down at the fabric, which by the way had rough cut selvage edges on every piece of fabric (a no-no for anyone from the sewing world). I had the feeling, as did others, of the story, The Emperor’s New Clothes. Were we all deluding ourselves to see something that just wasn’t there. Or was this fabric, real art?
This brings me back to the “What is Art” question. Must art only appear on walls from those who have acquired a fine arts degree or have name recognition?

Can art only appear on canvasses from the likes of Rembrandt, Picasso, VanGogh?

Or is art a beautifully knit sweater,

the side of a rail road box car full of graffiti,

or a beautifully planted garden.

I’m curious to know your definition of art, particularly as a knitter or crocheter. Some say knitting is ONLY a craft. What do you think?