On Saturday, October 7, 2017, Brookside Knits’ members Carol Mays, Laura Piland, Eileen Kampf and Janet Kakareka attended the 32nd Annual Knitters’ Day Out in Summerdale, PA. According to their website, Knitters’ Day Out is “a day and a half of classes, shopping, and camaraderie devoted to knitting and fiber arts, and has been held annually since 1986.” Knitters’ Day Out is a nonprofit organization, run by volunteers, which strives to make high quality knitting instruction “affordable and accessible.”
This year’s Knitters’ Day Out attracted 315 knitters. Thirty-nine classes were offered over the two-day period: Friday evening, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon. Registration fees vary depending on the number of classes taken. Lunch and admission to the Market are included in the cost of class registration. Optionally, the Market is open to anyone not taking classes for only $2.Vendors offer all types of local natural fiber yarns and local hand dyes, as well as handmade project bags, yarn bowls, and accessories for all fiber arts.
According to our knitters, the lunch buffet was excellent as usual, prepared by the culinary students of the Central Pennsylvania College.
Eileen, Janet, Carol & Laura at Knitters’ Day Out
When they were not shopping or eating, all four members attended classes.
- Carol attended Portuguese Knitting, taught by Ruth Santos. Portuguese knitting is said to be a “super fast method of knitting.” Their project was a cowl.
- Janet took two classes, Lace Forensics by Tanis Gray, a class meant to encourage knitters who have previously shied away from lace, and Reversible Entrelac by Gwen Bortner.
- Laura, determined to master brioche, took Ann Weaver’s Introduction to Brioche Stitch, which taught knitters how to work with three-colors.
- Eileen also attended Lace Forensics by Tanis Gray and Introduction to Brioche Stitch by Ann Weaver.
The next Knitters’ Day Out is planned for September 28 and 29, 2018.
