Goodbye dearest Joyce
This past week the knitting world lost one of it’s treasures. Joyce Williams contemporary of Meg Swansen, author of Latvian Dreams and friend, passed away around noon on August 4th.
If you never had the pleasure of seeing Joyce’s work, or listening to her talk then I am sorry. I’ll never forget when I met her. I was vending at Madrona Fiber Arts and went to the bar (where everyone hangs out) to get a bottle of water. There were these two women sitting on one of the sofas chatting it up in some of the most beautiful knits I had ever seen. I couldn’t resist saying hello and complimenting them on their sweaters, the next thing I knew my cell was ringing and Debbi was wondering where the hell I had gotten off to. As I excused myself, explaining about the booth and all, we realized we have never exchanged names, just had launched right into knit-communion. So I introduced myself and was making plans to meet with them again when the smaller, fiery eyed one reached out her hand,seized mine and said I am Joyce Williams. Well… you could have knocked me over with a strand the finest lace yarn you can find. Here, for almost an hour I had been sitting and casually chatting with one of the most brilliant knit minds on the planet. I do believe my jaw dropped to my chest. I should’ve known. It was then I recognized the sweater she was wearing and well worked really hard at not kicking myself all over that bar. She was beyond gracious of course. What got me thoroughly in that moment was the twinkle in her eye when she caught my eye and whispered, it is my favourite piece in the book. I fell hard and fast for Joyce right then and there.
My life was enriched before meeting Joyce Williams in person because I had met her through her phenomenal designs. Meeting Joyce and getting to know and spend the little bit of time with her I have is a blessing I’ll cherish forever.
I love you Joyce, you will be missed!
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What a lovely, thoughtful tribute.
Tina you are so lucky to have met Joyce.
The sweater and socks are stunning – astounding. A fine tribute might be to sell hte patterns and give the money in her memory to a charity she loved !
So glad you had the opportunity. Your tribute to Joyce is written in your own inimitable style. I’m thinking of you as you mourn the loss of a knitting icon.
Cheers and red wine, Hazel.
I met Joyce at a Stitches West, way back when it was held in Oakland. I was in one of Meg’s classes and Joan was there, always helpful. I had asked about knitting in the round with two circs-I had read about it on KnitU but every time I tried it, I ended up with all the stitches on one needle while the other fell to the floor. She came over to demonstrate. She was knitting a necktie out of Koigu as I recall. She took a second circ, transferred some of the stitches and turned her necktie into a circular demonstration for me. She will be missed.
Oh Tina. What’s a wonderful post. Cheers.
I met Joyce at Madrona also. She was wearing the “Morocco” sweater from her book. It was so stunning I just followed her around staring at her sweater in awe. Then right in front of your booth I got to meet her. We then sat down and I too had a wonderful conversation with Joyce, all the while could not take my eyes off that sweater. It was one of the most beautiful sweaters I’ve ever seen.
The world indeed lost a magnificent talent. RIP Joyce.
My experience with Joyce at Madrona was similar. I noticed and recognized the sweater, and commented on it, and Joyce was most gracious and a fascinating conversationalist. What a loss to the world and the knitters of the world. I wish I had more time to get to know her. I suspect we all do.
I’m so glad you got to have that time and that memory. I’m so sorry she’s gone.