When taking a knitting class with Annie Modesitt, you learn more than knitting. She also gives lessons in philosophy, metaphysics, math, self-reliance, self-worth and pop culture from the '50s. She even throws in some performance art!
Annie taught classes at my favorite LYS Knitty City the other day and I took the lace knitting class. During the class, Annie led me to a few "aha" moments--things that were just so obvious once my eyes were opened. This is one excellent teacher!
As an old NYC public school teacher, I admire Annie's way around a classroom. She's firm, funny, wacky, very warm and generous and giving of both her time and experience. I'd taken "cabling without a cable needle" at Rhinebeck with Annie a few years ago -- so I knew I was in for an adventure.
And what an adventure!
I'll never again look at the right and left leaning decreases without picturing Annie using her body to demonstrate how they're made. And I'll certainly work on banishing "Oh, I never make. . . . " from my knitting vocabulary.
Most importantly, I can't wait to start deconstructing lace charts a la Annie's way.
When I went to my stash to pull out yarn for the class, I found the yarn and the sample I had knitted from the cable class. Here are the samples knit from both classes:
These may look like some cabled cloth and a lace sample--but each is so much more. I look at them and I'm reminded of Annie's humor and grace.
5 comments:
Sounds like a great class. I hope Annie gets to read your words, because what a wonderful tribute.
Wow - you're too kind!
Thanks so much, you were a joy. The ruggies were good, too!!!
I thought the same thing that stringplay said...then look! Annie was here to comment herself! I, myself, already know you are such a joy so I am thrilled to see someone else thinks so, too. :)
You sound like i felt after I took classes from Cat Bordhi...that aha! moment as well as what just seems so obvious AFTER she shows it to you, it's almost like you should have already known it. Yet, when these knitters that you so admire are so real and so encouraging, it keeps you flying high and motivated for weeks.
Thanks for sharing!
Lucky you! It sounds like a great class. I've heard lots of wonderful things about Annie.
I'd love to have a class taught by Annie, too. I'm so glad that you blogged about it. Thank you!
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