Sirdal Saga Begins

A few weeks ago I mentioned that when I was in the LYS I noticed a child's SIRDAL sweater hanging on display. This being the very sweater I had selected for the Dale of North America Challenge filled me with fire anew to knit this lovely handiwork. I was further inspired when I noticed that the shop had a Norwegian guru, a man, who would be willing to mentor me along the path for a nominal fee. Since I obviously needed help getting me beyond the purchasing of yarn, I reserved a spot with the guru.

Yesterday was my first meeting with this most enthusiastic instructor. I had envisioned him being an older, sophisticated, meticulously groomed gentleman. Nothing could have prepared me for the surprise I had when I walked into the classroom and beheld a young man sitting at the table repairing a snagged Dale of Norway sweater under an Ott lamp. He was anything but refined and sophisticated! He looked like a throw-back of the sixties! He had a bandana on his head and sat at the table barefoot....did I mention his toenails were painted blue? It was all I could do to stifle an audible laugh. So much for stereotypes!

I quickly discovered that this guru did indeed have a vast wealth of fair isle experience. My time with him was most rewarding. His easy, relaxed style of teaching (how could you not be relaxed if you are barefoot?) encouraged me to become less stressed about pursuing this Sirdal goal. We walked through the pattern and he gave me several other options than what the pattern had. He helped me think outside of the box. He helped me to realize that this is MY sweater and I can knit it the way that works best for ME!

I had worked the hem of the body before attending the class to get a head start. The guru encouraged me to start with the sleeves instead. I had long heard that this is the best way to get your gauge correct before launching into the 300 sts of the body--less ripping out. However, in addition to this logic, the guru shared that this also helps you determine how deep to knit the sleeves on the body. So, it is not just about gauge.

I'm excited and feeling confident. Sleeves..............here I come!

P.S. Did I mention he was barefoot?

Spelling corrected for TWIG who suggested my spelling error indicated that my guru was a MOUNTAIN man indeed!

A Day in the Springs

Spring Break has flown by all too quickly and DD is leaving tomorrow. She has had a busy week studying for her upcoming eight-hour Engineering licensing exam so I thought we deserved one "fun" mommy-daughter day out.

We went to one of her favorite little bistros, La Baguette in Old Colorado City where she always gets the Alfredo Pasta. I always get the French Onion Soup, the best I've ever had.

Then, of course, we hit all three knitting shops in town starting with Needleworks.

Here I was reminded that I am "supposed" to be working on SIRDAL, a Dale of Norway sweater. The shop had an adorable child version hanging up which ignited a fire in me to re-acquaint myself with the pattern. I am part of the Dales of North America KAL and this is the sweater I stated I would knit.

Isn't it a lovely Norwegian sweater?

I left Needleworks not only purchasing the remaining skeins of yarn I needed, but also signing up for a workshop with the store Norwegian guru . The guru is actually a man! It is my understanding that you bring in whatever you are working on and he will tudor you along. I think this is just what I need to get me over my reluctance to start. They have to wait for another student to sign up so I'm not sure when it will start.

The 2007 Knit From Your Stash Challenge? You are allowed to purchase yarn to complete an existing project should you run short, I am not going to count this as a real yarn purchase. I was short four skeins having enough for my Sirdal. Too many sweaters and not enough time!