I made a quick trip to Seattle at the beginning of the week to meet up with the Piano Babes. We met (mostly) in 2000 at Sonata Piano Camp, and have been friends ever since.
We went to a very interesting concert by the Nord Trio at the Nordic Heritage Museum: Piano, violin, accordion. Yes, accordion. The concert opened with selections from Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite, and the accordion was beautifully expressive. This is not polka music!
Before the show, we briefly poked around in the Finnish design exhibit, and of course I went looking for fiber fun in the Norwegian folk art rooms. I was not disappointed.
spinning wheels and a carding bench
drop spindles, and a stone whorl from the Iron Age
Selbu mittens
embroidered mittens
bobbin lace
And my favorite thing: A man’s folk costume from the Setesdal region, 1920.
There is a very traditional sweater under the vest.
sleeve detail
You know this sleeve is steeked! Beautiful.
The weeekend also included a beautiful full moonrise,
a windy walk through the Olympic Sculpture Park and along the shoreline of Elliott Bay (downtown Seattle)
Echo
Elvis sighting (see him?)
Windy!
and lots of beautiful food. I won’t post it all, but if you follow me on Instagram you’ve seen some of it. (I’m pdxknitterati over there, too.)
I’m lucky to know this group of very smart, talented women.
On my way home, I stopped at Tolt Yarn and Wool in Carnation. It is a beautiful shop.
I came home with some souvenirs.
The white yarn is sourced locally in the Snoqualmie Valley and spun at Green Mountain Spinnery. The purple yarn is from Green Mountain Spinnery, so they’re cousins. It’s called Mewesic, so it fits the theme of the Piano Babes weekend. Both are DK weight. I don’t know what I’ll do with them yet, but they look and feel good together, a little rustic but wooly. I bought the mug for DH; he gets a souvenir, too.
So that was the weekend. Now knitting, knitting, knitting, trying to finish a design sample. Soon!
How was your weekend?
Glad you had a good trip to our fair city! I actually live a few blocks from the Nordic Heritage Museum, but have only ever been once – this post reminds me that I must get over there again soon. Bobbin lace and embroidery and knitwear, oh my… thanks for sharing!