Finally met Nicky Epstein!

I think one of my first knitting books was from my mom and it was a Nicky Epstein book.  Every time I get together with my mom, she always buys me a knitting book and 90 times out of a 100, it's a Nicky Epstein book.  In fact, for 10 years, that was the only designer name that I recognized and followed.  I take knitting classes where ever I can - and when ever I can but I haven't caught sight of any Nicky classes.  I haven't even seen her name on the TNNA or Madrona class schedules.  So when I heard she was giving a class at Yorkshire yarns of Lakewood (http://www.yorkshireyarns.com/) - I knew I had to take it.
It's amazing at the designers, authors, anchor women and calendar chicks that Sonya can convince to talk, teach and book sign at her shop.  Keep your radar on her calendar of events...

We had to bring 2 8x8 swatches with us.  The class was based on her upcoming book due out in November - color blocking.  Wasn't sure exactly what this class entailed, but I didn't care.  We learned how to make a turtle stuffed animal out of one of the squares and a hat out of the other.  I'm not a stuffed animal fan - but that wasn't the point of the class.  The point that I got from it is that you can take something as simple as a block and transform it into anything you can imagine.  She showed us how to create sweaters, gauntlets, shawls, hats, berets, purses and scarves out of 12x12 blocks.  It was fascinating how her mind works.

I bought this book - because I fell in love with one of her sweaters in it that I actually saw at TNNA 2 years ago and couldn't get it out of my mind.  Mind you, it's a little over the top - which I don't feel I am.  In this case, however, I feel like I may be coming out of my shell!  Get ready....

There are over 150 pearls on it with osterich feathers to ensure that I'll be noticed!   The picture doesn't show off the gorgeous cable stitches or the richness of the yarn (Cascade Dolce) - or even the 3 different sizes of pearls sewn on in and between and around the cables.

I'm thinking if I can get some of my many deadlines done, I might have time to get this sweater done in time for my nieces wedding this October.  Or will I look like the bride????  Mother of the bride????

I may also make it so that the Osterich feathers can be attached and detached as needed for the occasion.

Fun fun class....lastly...this sun shawl is spectacular up close.  I'm not a shawl fan but this was unbelievably gorgeous in person.  Knit with Art yarn - pure silk, the yarn alone cost $300 or so (according to Nicky).  Perhaps that's another reason that it's so spectacular, anything knit in cashmere, angora or silk is going to be stunning!  Interesting enough...is that it is knit in the garter stitch through out and short rows.....and I call myself a designer???  Now that's what a real designer creates!

I love taking classes....they inspire me to go further, think outside the paradigm and truly create a one of a kind master piece instead of the everyday dozen.