I had two other classes I taught at Michigan Fiber Festival (MFF) last week. One was a toe-up footie construction class, and one was my Basketweave Rug.

For the sock class, the first to arrive was Dawn. She soon brought out a bag and from that came six pairs of socks. But not just any socks! These were her version of my Fast Florida Footies! These were in all sizes, and are planned as gifts. She chooses to knit the sole rather than purl it (which I do when I make them out of wool, the purl/reverse stockinette is for comfort in cotton yarn for those of us who have sensitive feet).

It was such a nice way to start a class, to see this collection of socks made from my pattern, or at least the inspiration of my pattern. She told me about some of the pairs she’s knit and stories behind them, who they are for.

The sock class was intense and focused, but quite good (it was half a day, no time to spare). We made a “Frankensock” which was a footie without a foot… parts but not the whole… toe then heel then gusset then cuff.

Several folks were there as top-down socknitters who wanted to learn toe up. A few, including Dawn, had tried other methods of toe up socks and did not enjoy knitting them. I was pleased at the end of the class when folks told me they did enjoy my method. It’s a lot like a top down sock in the middle, the difference is mostly in the toe and a little bit in the bind off.

My final class was the rug class, and I notice that the further I got along in the week, the fewer photos I took! I had a full class for rugs but got merely one photo. Shame on me. At least the photo I got is really unique. Dierdre changed the garter stitch to seed/moss stitch, and she made each pattern change into a color change as well. It will be a more striped rug than my sample, but you can see that the changes she is making will be striking.

The final photo here is a real treat. Dawn stopped by on Sunday when I was in the Yarn Garden’s booth. She was carrying handspun (by her) skeins of yarn she had entered into the skein competition. She got two red ribbons! (I think that is second place?) Go, Dawn!!!

Aaah, I slept a bit and had a long bubble bath in the claw-footed tub and I feel rested and happy to be home. Now I’m ready to tell stories of my experiences at Michigan Fiber Fest.

My first day was Wednesday, a full day teaching “Polymer Clay Embellished Fiber Tools.” I had a great group, six people (a good class size for instructor interaction) who all dove in and made the techniques their own.

In the morning we worked on comfortable handles for crochet hooks. We added comfy handles using a tinted translucent clay roll with thin silver-colored metal leaf which reflected light from inside the pieces.

While we were working with the crochet hooks, we plotted and planned and schemed about the afternoon and what to make then. A few of my students wanted to make custom orifice hooks for their spinning wheels, others wanted to cover Bic Stic pens (hard, clear pens do not work properly but these do… remove the ink cartridge before baking). The pens were their idea, and a great one. Low cost, high reward, makes them perfect projects, and they make wonderful gifts.

I put the crochet hooks into the oven while they had lunch. I spent lunch happily gathering supplies at the local discount shop so that they could make their preferred items.

In the afternoon, the spinners cut and bent some wire I had purchased, and made their own orifice hooks with whatever shape handle they wanted, out of 100% clay. (My sample hook was made by applying clay to a pre-made wooden hook, but that was an expensive way to do it.)

In the end, everyone but me made at least one pen, some made three. Also a few folks covered some wooden beads made for the pull chains that hang from ceiling fans. We had a lot of variety going, and it was inspiring.

We had a session on how to sand and buff and polish, after the first pieces came out of the oven. And then the folks made whatever their hearts desired. It was a wonderful time!

I must say that I was gifted with a Thank You note on Friday, from Victoria who took this class. She had a great time, and so did I. I’m touched that she spent the time to get a card and write a very kind note in it, and then make sure to find me and hand deliver the note. Thanks for your kindness, Victoria!

Photos: 1)First batch of crochet hooks using translucent clays and foil leaf. 2)Second batch, mostly Bic pens. 3)Experimental pieces late in the day… Orifice hooks for spinning, pins, bead for pull chain, pens, crochet hook. 5)My students, who made the fun day possible.