Every year in early June, yarn shop owners, manufacturers and designers descend on the lovely city of Columbus, Ohio. Classes are offered, fashion shows take place, and yarn (lots of yarn) is purchased for shops across the country. Most of all, it is fun, big fun.

I always enjoy seeing other shop owners such as Loopy in Missoula, MT and The Yarnery in St. Paul, MN to name just a few. It is a time to learn about trends in the market, compare notes and learn about yarn, knitting and the personalities behind all those wonderful patterns.

Yesterday, I was able to take a class from Lucy Neatby, which was something I’ve wanted to do since the first year I attended. The class was “Fringes, Folderols and Furbelows!” What fun to play with my knitting in new ways…twisting, unraveling and knitting puntas for whimsical edges. Lucy’s style matches her hair color, pure fun! And who was sitting next to me during class, Wendy Johnson of Wendy Knits. We are currently holding the Diagonal Sock class this summer for those who are adventurous in their sock knitting.

Here is Wendy Johnson…

and I couldn’t help but ask for a photo with Lucy and Wendy.

 

This past weekend the Montana Association of Weavers and Spinners held a series of classes, workshops and events at MSU-B. Linda blogged about the event on May 27 and it is wrapping up today.
Here at Wild Purls, we had Nancy Bush visit us on Wednesday. Yes, THE Nancy Bush of teaching and knitting fame. There she is looking at Montana yarns

and visiting with Suzanne.

It was great to see many familiar faces in her Estonian sock class on Thursday. While they were reluctant to have their photos taken, I think they look radiant. It must be from the knitting.

We learned about Estonia and the knitting history of the country. Nancy has visited multiple times and truly loves the people and culture.

The conference was filled with classes, a fabulous vendor area and Wild Purls had a booth.

Linda was hard at work.

We all enjoyed the weekend and I hope to get a sock completed soon.

 

My old friend, June came in earlier this winter wanting to knit a sweater for her son. He is very tall and she had quite a project ahead of her. There is never a better day than the day someone (and it doesn’t need to be a childhood friend, but is so much better when it is) walks in to announce that they finished a sweater and they just happen to have it with them. Wow! The sweater is beautiful and perfect for her very tall son.

What a lucky guy. He’ll love this when the snow flies.

 

This past weekend, while Wild Purls was closed, I was not home knitting and lounging. Rather I was busy with my eldest daughter’s high school graduation. Although she had to run to make it on time,

she made it!

What a weekend it was.

We were able to pick her out from the crowd.

I had no idea how proud I would feel when she walked across the stage. A moment that I will always remember fondly. It was a big mile stone in her life and our family life as well. She will be off to college in the fall. Last night at dinner, she announced that she needs to pick out a knitting project! Her momma couldn’t be prouder.

 

As this conference has dominated my life for the last 6 months, I’m sure I have told everyone about this upcoming conference. Julia suggested I blog about it. MAWS sponsors a conference every 2 years, but only every 12 years does it come to Billings. The conference, held at MSU-B Student Union Building, has 44 classes and 21 instructors. They range from internationally known Nancy Bush, Kathryn Alexander, Robyn Spady, and Jane Fournier to regional instructors. In addition we have 25 vendors who are open to public Thurs. June 3 4-8 p.m.; Fri. June 4 11:30 to 6, Sat. June 5 11:30 to 6; and Sunday 8:30 to 1. There are also shows open to the public too.

We are having a particularly special opening at 6:45 p.m. at the Moss Mansion of the MAWS Living Treasures Show which has 40 pieces. Since 1992 MAWS has honored members who have demonstrated a lifelong contribution to the development of fiber arts including excellent craftsmanship, inspiration to others, sharing their knowledge and working to develop fiber arts on a state, regional or national level. This show contains representative fiber art pieces of from each of these honorees. There are 4 local “Treasures” Berta Morrison, Em Kolstad, Betty Alexander, and Jay Sire who have works in the show.

This conference is very inspirational. There are still openings in some classes. Classes cost $35 for ½ day and $70 for all day. You can contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for a registration form. Classes with openings are
Thurs. 10-4 Bobbie Brown-Beginning Spinning
Friday 9-4 Carolyn Wostenberg-Memory Book
Friday 9-4 Judie OverbeekColor Happens in Spinning
Friday 9-12 Jan Nordwick-Expand Skills in Knitting
Friday 9-12 K. Johnson-In Search of Golden Fleece
Friday 9-12 Kathryn Alexander-Making Art Wearable
Friday 9-12 Robyn Spady-Fab Four
Friday 9-12 Toni Little-Introduction to Crochet
Friday 1-4 Cheri Shelp-Surface Design
Friday 1-4 Denise Johnson-Knitted socks toe up
Friday 1-4 Jan Nordwick-Learn to Tatt
Friday 1-4 Kathryn Alexander-Doodads in knitting
Friday 1-4 R. Spady-Jewelry from thrums & leftovers
Sat 9-4 Joanne Setzer-patterns for Handwovens
Sat 9-4 Kathryn Alexander-Spinning Energized Yarn
Sat 9-4 Nancy Bush-Knitting Triangle Lace
Sat 9-12 Judie Overbeek-Sample Fleece in a Flash
Sat 9-11 Kyle Foreman-Posture, Movement, Stretches
Sat 9-12 Sandy Vellin-Brazillian Embroidery
Sat 9-12 R. Spady-Putting Together Novelty Act
Sat 2-5 Bob Garritson-Stone Age Cordage and Tools
Sat 2-5 Denise Jackson-Judging Handspun
Sat 2-5 Jane Fournier-Fiber Blending with Handcards
Sat 2-5 Judie Overbeek-Care of your Spinning Wheel
Sat 2-5 Robyn Spady-Less is More
Sat 2-5 Toni Little-Crocheted Embellishment
Mon 9-4 Jane Fournier-Spinning Flax
Tues 9-4 Jane Fournier-Spinning Short Fibers
Mon 9-4 Kathryn Alexander-Knitting Energized
Tues 9-4 Kathryn Alexander-Entrelac

I am excited about the conference, but I want to have more time for my knitting after its done. Linda Shelhamer