Knit in Public Day: Characters Welcome

Did you enjoy Knit in Public Day today? :)

I think I could’ve gotten away with calling this post, “You’re Doing it Wrong.” I’d just be poking fun at myself for how I spent my Knit in Public Day…

I really didn’t have a knitting project in mind today…so I’ve got to get on that. I took my wheel and my knitting stuff though, just in case. Greenbank Mill was hosting the event so I went over there to see what was happening. I already knew that a lot of the fiber folks in the area were going to attend Separation Day. But, I did find a few VIP’s…

Meet Heather. Heather is one of the members of the FiberGuild. Today, when I arrived, I was second behind Heather. So we went around back to the Dye Garden where she began cleaning up some of the weeds that had developed.

Heather is a dyer. She says it’s a lot like making tea. :) She showed me a few of the herbs that had been planted…the ones that had gotten territorial and some of the others that were her favorites for dyeing. The ones she had to clip today would be able to be used later in the year.

Greenbank Mill actually has more than one Herb Garden. There’s a section for medicine and cooking as well. The idea is to get workshops in to tell people how to use them. People exactly like me…dumb as doorknobs when it comes to herbs. Thanks in advance!

One thing is for sure though. I can understand why you all love to take photos in your gardens…Peacefulness and beauty abounds. :)

After taking a few shots, I asked Heather if she wanted some help with the weeding. I am a volunteer there now and it made sense to me to learn some more about the processes they do at the Mill to keep it going. She was happy to have me. “You’re one of us now.” Thanks Heather!!

While she was getting me all geared up, she showed me one their rams long past. Oliver.

He died a natural death. But it seems he was a little meany! See how hard-headed he is? LOL! (I know, I know :) )

But, just as we were about to get back to the garden, some folks arrived ready for the day. And just that quick…

Heather switched into another gear to show some folks how to spin.

Among them was Cheryl, the younger sister of Diane.

I think Cheryl is the extrovert here…When I asked them if they’d mind if I took some hand portraits of what they were doing, while everyone was all bashful, Cheryl said, “You can take my picture!” LOL! I can’t say Diane’s a chump though…When I said I wanted a sister, they both told me that I could find someone that didn’t have one and adopt her. When I told them I almost had one, but that she can be a little bossy at times, Diane is the one that said, “If she’s the older sister, she has the right to be bossy!” Yes, ma’am! LOL!

One hubby, waiting for his wife, learned to spindle too.

Not bad, huh?

Well, Heather popped up not long after getting them started to do tours for other visitors showing up. I shadowed her on one. But for the most part, I hung around while folks were coming in. And I got to meet some other folks. Some I had seen before, but hadn’t met personally. Like Flo.

She will tell you anything you want to know about the history of the Civil War or the Revolutionary War. “Get me started and I’m good for four hours!”

She was so passionate about her view on the Civil War, I had to take her photo. “I’m not proud of that period of our history, but it is our history and people need to know what happened! How will they know how far we’ve come?”

And she’s SO animated when she tells it!!

In between time, she was knitting on some socks. Can you see the blue, white and red at the top of the sock she’s knitting? She told me that made it a Chester County Sock. It’s one of the ways Chester County Confederate soldiers identified their own. Don’t worry, there are patterns for Union soldiers socks too. I suppose when re-enactors really want to tell the story, they do it big!

Another knitter, there sitting next to Flo in the above photo, made a sock that was a little more my speed.

Oh yeah. I’d rock that sock! :)

And guess who else showed up? Natalie!

Her Babe was working mighty fine today! Look at that bobbin candy!

Now, whenever she starts spinning, she splits her fiber and the wind gets going on it, lol!

I told her we were not going to call her singles laceweight anymore. They were going to be whispy weight!

By the time 2:00 rolled around, Boy Child was calling me about negotiating another two bucks for babysitting due to Girl Child’s newest antics (…which included projectiles). So, it was time to go. I came and I had fun. It was a great day!

Oh! I suppose you want to know what I did today? Meh. I did a little of this and a little of that…

I played paparazzi with Heather.