OK. We’ll go back to talking about knitting, now. But before we do… did you read the incredulous tone of the pingback to the previous post? … That’s right, a blogger whose focus is knitting hacked WordPress… 😆 The ping came from a very nice person who is as unhappy with the WP admin panels as I am, so I don’t want to give him any grief. (But I did wander over to his blog and tease him just a little.)
Thursday night I definitely left my comfort zone, but I had the best time! Several months ago, I had been asked to speak about Judy’s Magic Cast-on at the April meeting of the Tigard Knitting Guild. I was very pleased and excited to accept.
And I started thinking that I really should try to figure out exactly what I was going to say. And then I got busy and I didn’t. But I did think about teaching JMCO to a crowd and wondering exactly how people in the back were going to see it. The largest group I’ve taught it to before would probably be one of my sock classes. And that would be around five or six intrepid knitters.
This was around… 50. 😯
A week ago at Tangle, I spied some US#19 circular needles – these are really big, gentle reader. I bought two – one in wood and one in metal. And I bought two balls of the bulkiest yarn I could find in the brightest colors that Alice had, and I hatched a plot.
At the appointed time I arrived at the appointed place. I had yarn, needles, my current projects and a few items to show some cool things that JMCO can be used to do. There weren’t many people there yet, and I knew some of them. All were warm and welcoming, and I was invited to join a table. I sat and knitted and waited for the meeting to began and reminded myself that it would be a good idea to figure out what I was going to say.
Now, I know I am going to hear howls of protest when I say this, but I’m really a shy person. Once I get to know people, then I’m not shy at all. But in crowds where I don’t know people… yeah. I realize that some people are totally comfortable speaking to thousands of people. I’m not one of them. I have to force myself to come out of my shell and talk to people. Even knitters. And the knitters kept coming and coming and coming. And I just kept knitting and knitting and knitting. I knit two inches on the Salish Sea Socks – last December’s Rockin’ Sock Club pattern – all of which had to be frogged out the next day.
The meeting got rolling, and before I knew it, I was being introduced. I rose from my chair, waved at the crowd, took a deep breath, and started in.
It turns out that my voice is loud enough that I didn’t need a mike. Whodda thunk it? (I hear you laughing out there.)
I totally winged it, telling about how I had developed JMCO when I was home sick, and why it was cool. And then I called for volunteers. One volunteer played Judy’s Index Finger, and one volunteer played Judy’s Thumb. I handed each a ball of yarn, tied the ends together in the middle, and, holding up my humongo needles, demonstrated the cast on. The needles were so big that I actually needed both hands to hold them and loop the yarn around. Once I had demo’d, I showed off a few FOs that I had started with JMCO: two pairs of socks, and The Wings Of The Raven, and a bag that I’m pretty sure I started with JMCO. Well… I could have, so it got the point across.
And then I wandered amongst the tables, helping the knitters master JMCO and having a really marvelous time with everyone. In the pictures, you can see a bunch of wonderful knitters, concentrating on winding that yarn just right.
When I had circled the entire room and made it back to my table, I answered questions, took a few photos, thanked everyone for welcoming me into their fold, and sat down with relief. I used almost exactly my allotted time. Whew.
It was amazing and fun and I’m so glad that I did it! But I’m not sure that I’m even going to become comfortable speaking in front of crowds.
I’d also like to talk to you a bit more about the Great Adirondacks Soxie yarn. The link is just the first place I found that actually had a picture of the color. As you were, I was a bit surprised that they compared this yarn to Koigu. It’s nothing like. For one thing, although it felt softer after washing and would be OK to wear, it’s obviously not Merino. And the most obvious difference: I’ve never had Koigu pool or stripe. Ever. I couldn’t keep this from striping.
Interestingly enough, at the TKG meeting I sat next to Karen, who was knitting lace with this same yarn in a blue and green colorway. And, although I could see that the colors in the ball were lovely, in the scarf the colors looked darker and just not as luminous. Karen mentioned that this was the second time she’d used Great Adirondacks, and both times she’d been disappointed with the colors – lovely in the skein, not so much in the FO. And she had not knit socks either time! So I feel vindicated.
I still haven’t decided what to do with that second skein. I think it will need to be something like entrelac to get the biggest punch from the colors that I can.
Judy, I totally get the shyness in a group thing. I’m the same way – no really…. I am.
If I know one or two people, I am ok – but talking to people that are all hanging out talking to each other is so hard for me.
I use JMCO to start circular shawls – only 3 stitches on each needle give me a perfect 6 stitch start with no hole in the middle of the shawl.
1Remark from Barbara — Saturday, 4/19/2008 @ 6:51 AM
Hi Judy, You were the reason I made sure I attended the meeting Thurs. But I got lost and arrived late. I’m going to sit down this weekend and go over the printout from Knitty (I learn from reading best) and see if I can figure it out with the added info from Thursday. I really enjoyed your talk and your sense of humor! Thank you for sharing. I don’t do crowds or even one person well (strong introvert) so kudos to you. You did great!
2Remark from Debby — Saturday, 4/19/2008 @ 1:35 PM
What a good idea for demonstrating JMCO!!!
3Oh, and I can see you being shy (for about a NYC Minute!)
(((hugs)))
Remark from Knitnana — Saturday, 4/19/2008 @ 1:58 PM
Thank you so much for coming to TKG and demonstrating the JMCO. I never would have known you didn’t feel comfortable talking in large groups. I got it, practiced when I came home and can’t wait to start some toe up socks. Thanks, again, for sharing.
4Remark from Patti — Saturday, 4/19/2008 @ 7:01 PM
Judy, I love the size 19 needles idea! You are beyond brilliant! Who’d of thunk it?? Next time I cheerfully volunteer to be the thumb!! 😀
And, just from my perspective – Only Koigu is Koigu. That stuff is divine. Shame on someone using the Koigu name in shameless commerce of their yarn.
5Remark from Kat — Sunday, 4/20/2008 @ 6:28 AM
Why do I have a flash back of Anne and Kay demonstrating cast on techniques with Cat? And what a brilliant use of that using-people-as-tools technique! Cat would be proud! I’m just jealous of all those folks in Tigard (a. they live there and b. they got to have your demo).
6Remark from Helen — Sunday, 4/20/2008 @ 10:26 AM
Hi Judy-
7What a brilliant way to demonstrate the technique to a crowd! I love that someone played the index finger and someone the thumb . . . I shall try this myself next time I teach. And I am so glad that there are now another 50 knitters who know your JMCO, which as you know, I consider the best cast-on on the planet.
Cat
Remark from Cat Bordhi — Sunday, 4/20/2008 @ 7:11 PM
I agree with your other commenters, I never would have guessed you were uncomfortable speaking in front of the crowd. Your talk was great and helped me learn JMCO in no time. Thanks again for speaking at the Guild.
8Remark from Donna — Tuesday, 4/22/2008 @ 9:31 AM
You sure weren’t shy with the Yarn Harlot last night! 😉
I’ve had koigu pool like crazy. How totally weird is that?
Very cool idea for demonstrating your cast-on! Wish I’d been there, I would love to have seen that! 🙂
9Remark from Kerin — Wednesday, 4/23/2008 @ 9:24 PM
Congrats on the public appearance! Those of us on the east coast will have to learn JMCO from YouTube. Sigh. But it’s so easy to learn; and I’ve used it several times and it works perfectly every time.
10Remark from Laura Sue — Friday, 4/25/2008 @ 9:50 AM
That is *so* cool! I love the idea of using the humongous needles to demonstrate the technique. Maybe all knitting instructors should do that for every new technique.
Shy? Really? I would’ve never guessed that.
11Remark from ~Kristie — Friday, 5/2/2008 @ 6:03 PM
[…] in which i leave my comfort zone […]
12Remark from Easy Admin Color Scheme — Tuesday, 2/9/2010 @ 10:47 AM