Let's Have a Chat!

Many people manage to knit or crochet in lovely groups that meet weekly or monthly or whenever a new episode drops on Netflix. I envy them. I often sigh wistfully when I hear them discussing their next gathering and am a big eavesdropper when they get to talking about a project they're all doing at the same time.

But I accept that I am a person who does my best work (mostly) in a solitary setting. Partially, that's due to the fact that I'm highly distractible. It's sometimes due to the fact that when people find out I'm a Yarnologist, they ask for technical help and I don't get to work on my own stuff. And really, if I'm being honest, I'm more of an introvert than I let on. I often need to recharge my batteries by knitting at home with a striped cat on my lap.

For those of us unlikely to find ourselves knitting in a local group---heck, for anyone who knits anywhere and in any situation---I have a fabulous opportunity for knitting in community...but not:

The cool folks at the Longmont Yarn Shoppe in Colorado have been organizing a series of Zoom-based learning opportunities with fiber experts since 2020. We're lucky enough to be invited to participate. Let me introduce you to the Fiberside Chat series!

Fiberside Chats happen about twice a month. They're fun, they're interesting, they're welcoming...and best of all, they can be enjoyed from your favorite knitting chair with a striped cat on your lap (or a snoring dog snuggled in close, or your favorite jammies on).

There's a $20 investment to participate in a Chat. This fee exists mainly to compensate the guest speaker, but a bit of it goes to whichever participating LYS you click on during registration. The shops are listed alphabetically, so Yarnology is "lucky and last" on the list. Don't give up as you scroll!

Fiberside Chats are on Sundays and the time of the live event depends, of course, on where you hang your hat. I'm in Central Time. where the fun begins at noon. If you're Eastern Time, put 1 pm on your calendar. If you are Mountain Time, 11 am is your spot. You get the picture.

I'm really tickled about the Fireside Chat coming up this Sunday, March 30. The guest speaker is Melanie Berg, a designer I've long admired. She is, perhaps, best known for her many stunning shawl patterns...but I am at least as charmed by her sweater designs. She's recently launched a new book called simply Sweaters. I'm excited to hear what she has to say about knitting and designing and new projects she has in the works.

I'm also excited to know that dozens...hundreds...maybe thousands of other knitters are tuning in to be part of the Fiberside Chat conversation--and not a single one of us needs to put on shoes or brush our hair to be there. Added bonus? We get to work on a current project while we watch and listen. Ha!

I hope you spend the coming Sunday doing something that replenishes you. Maybe it's hanging out with Melanie Berg, maybe it's reading a great book or baking cookies to share with friends or tromping through the "wintry mix" we're supposed to see in Minnesota this weekend. Choose the thing that sings to you.

Warmly,

Gaby