This post is an update to my post yesterday.

I am really loving my classes at KnitCity. In addition to Fair Isle Techniques with MJ Mucklestone yesterday, I took Combining Creativity and Culture with Francoise Danoy from Aroha Knits. I enjoyed learning about Maori culture and her design process. I asked her about cultural appropriation. She said she only shares Maori symbols that are okay for anyone to wear, and since she is of Maori descent, she feels supporting her with a purchase of her designs that feature Maori motifs is cultural appreciation, not appropriation, I appreciated her response to that, as it is a topic that comes up a lot in fair trade. I also fell in love with her Ocean Pathways Cowl (Ravelry link) which I’m going to add to my queue.

The happy hour with The Grocery Girls, GG Made It, and La Bien Aimee had over 500 participants! It was a lot of fun, and I think they did a good job trying to make sure everyone felt welcome and had a good time.

Yesterday was Sheep School with Anna Hunter and Shetland Hap Overview with Gudrun Johnson. I learned a lot in both classes. I’m going to start my Hansel Hap soon, and maybe start my farm life in a year or two with chickens, which Anna calls “the gateway animal”. I also took a natural dye garden class with Caitlin Ffrench, and I learned I can use apple tree bark for pink – which I didn’t know – and our black walnut hulls and leaves in dyeing, which I knew but haven’t started collecting. These will be fun things to try that are already growing here. We’ve got a lot of work ahead already just clearing the woods and getting the garden ready for planting.

Today my classes are 5 Steps in Choosing Colors in Fair Isle Knitting with MJ Mucklestone and Wool Traceability with Anna Hunter. I’m sure they will be great. I’ve been really impressed with this event, the teachers, the content, and the professionalism of the event organizers and platform. Maybe some day I’ll be able to attend a Knit City in person!

Note to future Alissa: maybe take less classes next time? They are great but I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. Today I may attend in PJs with the camera off.