Re-entry

As hard as re-entry to the regular world was after the first Sock Summit, it felt harder this time.  Maybe it's because I spent so much more time in the market and out amongst the knitters.  I know it's not possible, but what I really want to do is live there.  I'd be perfectly happy; living in a convention center full of knitters and spinners.  I bet I'm not the only one; I bet a you'd jump at the chance to do that, too!

Since we can't live there, let's fondle the stash enhancement acquired.  From the top clockwise:  The Sock Summit 2011 bag, a braid of Polwarth Rare Gems from Blue Moon, a self-striping no repeat cake of yarn from Sophie's Toes, a fiber sampler pack from Woolgatherings, a skein of sock yarn from Mountain Colors in Red Tailed Hawk; and a monster skein of over a pound of yarn from Newton's.

Details:  The bag is great; nice heavy canvas, sturdy straps, and front pockets.  I got one of these at SS09 and love it.  The braid from Blue Moon is one of Tina's "Rare Gems", meaning it's something that won't be repeated; at 9 ounces, it's definitely enough for a project.  The cake of yarn from Sophie's Toes is something I hadn't seen before: a self-striping, no repeat.  That's right: self-striping and NO REPEAT.  This colorway is "Cosmopolitan" and I think it might become a cowl for moi.  The fiber pack from Woolgatherings is 10 ounces; one ounce of 9 different breeds.  Since the colors are black to grey, browns, creams and white, I'm thinking this will become either a shaded shawl or the color work yoke on a sweater.  Hmm, I have that black merino top from OFFF last year; maybe I'll combine them for a sweater?  The Mountain Colors sock yarn is for ToolMan's socks; I thought he'd like the Red Tailed Hawk colorway and I wasn't wrong.

Remember when I had to pack up the wheel and all it's parts for Fleece to Foot?  One of the things I had to do was finish up the singles I had on my bobbins.  The fiber was a couple of buns from Barbara that had been lounging in my stash.  I spun them fine, plied them with a silk thread for a nice lace weight yarn.  Even though it looks brown, there is a lot of rose pink in this and just a touch of sparkle.  It should be a pretty cowl.

I didn't take any knitting with me to Sock Summit.  I know from experience that I don't get any knitting done, no matter how simple and straightforward the pattern is.  After working on the Big Blue Thing, I was in the mood for big yarn, big needles, and a fast project.  Harmonia's Rings to the rescue!

Sivia Harding is a genius with this pattern; it goes fast, it's just challenging enough to be interesting without being too difficult, and it knits up fast.  I finished this one in 4 days.  It's soaking in the sink right now.  But I have to decide whether to keep it or put it in the Christmas Present box.  Well, maybe I could wear it just once or twice.

Sock Summit Fleece to Foot

Aren't these the cutest things?  Their names are Instep, Heel Flap, and Gusset.  

They came from Spinning Ewe Farm in Beavercreek, Oregon.  On Sunday morning, they were sheared, a sample of the fleece was spun and divided into six small samples while the remaining fleece was divided into six two-pound bags.

Here's a picture of our team, the PDX Puddle Jumpers, before the fleece was handed out.  We were given the pattern while the sheep were sheared.  We had time while the sheep were sheared and a sample yarn spun to strategize.  The sock pattern was knit in 5 separate pieces and either grafted or whip-stitched together.  And this was no plain sock; there were charts, pattern stitches, and (as we later found out) more than one mistake!

Left to right are Bethany Hendrickson (ilovesmekitty), Simi Petersen (paxilpixie), Sari Petersen (darkstarr), yours truly, and Duffy Stephens (fiberqat).  We were one of the few teams with costumes and the only team with "set decorations".  We had the giant umbrella in back (which came in handy when Simi had a wardrobe malfunction), and colorful Wellies scattered in front.  

Then a piece of the sample yarn and bags of fleece were delivered to each of these six teams. Their goal was to process the fleece, spin the yarn, and get as close as possible to finishing a pair of socks in the next six hours.

I spent the morning spinning singles, while Sari plied.  Before long, it was lunch time, when we switched out spinners for knitters.  Judy Becker (of Judy's Magic Cast On fame) on the left in the teal shirt, and Dawn Seymour (of Fiber Rhythm fame) in the black shirt swapped in for Simi and me. 





Periodically, we would sing rainy day songs or work the crown of spectators to drop money in the boots. We raised $62.17 for our charity: Mercy Corps.



Here's our pieces and parts ready for judging, along with the remaining flicked locks, spun singles, and plied yarn.

Unfortunately, we didn't win the competition, but that was fine with us.  We had a blast doing it, we got interviewed by The Oregonian, and Sock Summit donated $50 to our charity.  Here's a link to the article and the video shot by the Oregonian.

At 4:30, right after the winner had been announced, the lights went dim and the announcement that Sock Summit was over came over the loudspeaker.  Reluctantly, we packed up our wheels and tools, took down our PDX Knit Bloggers and Portland Spinnerati banners and headed home.  I was asleep on the couch by 6:00.  After eating supper and trying unsuccessfully to stay awake long enough to finish this post, I finally dragged myself to bed at 9:00.  It's a good thing I have the next two days off to recuperate.

Sock Summit 2011 - What day is it?

I was at Sock Summit again today, but I can't remember what day it is.  Day 3?  4?  Is it Saturday?  My mind is so boggled, I can hardly remember who I am.

I do remember who this lady is; she's Anna Zilboorg.  I went to her fantastic lecture, "The Deeper Meaning of Sock Knitting".  Fabulous!

After Anna's lecture, I got in line for Larissa Brown's new book, "My Grandmother's Knitting".  I haven't had time to really look at the book; heck, I barely had time to flip through it!  When I do, I'll give it a full review.

After lunch, I wandered through the Sock Museum. I didn't get to see it at last Sock Summit, so it was nice to see it this time.

 There were socks from the middle ages (reproductions, of course!) to modern times.  Look at the 1920 argyle on the bottom left.  Can you imagine trying to keep all those bobbins untangled?

Also on display were a variety of dysfunctional socks.  Do you see the giant ones on the left there?  

How about these?  How's that for dyfunctional?

After that, I went to another lecture: "Planning for Pooling Success".  Let me tell you, that one gave me LOTS of stuff to think about.  Like how to use hand-painted yarns to make vertical strips, zig zags, argyles, and other patterns.  Mind boggling.

The last thing I did today at Sock Summit was this:



Gotta say, it was about 15 kinds of fun!  And I'm pretty sure we scared the hell out some MAX riders.



Sock Summit 2011 Day 3

This morning, my first duty was to monitor the Marketplace doors for the morning opening.  We checked for badges or stamped tickets.  After the biggest part of the rush, Tina asked if the PDX Knit Bloggers and Spinnerati would host the World's Largest Sock for knitting.

She told me it was in a box at the Information Booth; it was so big that I needed help carrying it!  I unpacked the big sock, the yarn and extra needles that came with it.  Underneath it all were two notebooks detailing the beginning of the big sock and where it has traveled to.

I straighted out the big sock, removed the tip protectors and rubber bands from the 20 circulars (it's 1,500 stitches around), made sure we had plenty of yarn on hand, and begin asking, cajoling, begging, and ordering people to knit on the sock and sign the register of knitters.

The Marketplace was pretty full all day with people shopping,

seeing what all the vendors had, where the best prices were, oohing over all the soft fibers and pretty colors.

In early afternoon, this station was set up next to the PDX Knit Bloggers and Portland Spinnerati.  It did make me wonder for a minute why they decided to put it there.  Then I remembered that Tina and Stephanie know us.

One of the knitters on the Big Sock was carrying this bag.  I asked about the stitch pattern and she said she had bought it at a yard sale.  I really like the look of this; it's similar to entrelac, but crocheted rather than knit.  

I'm going to figure out this stitch pattern; I think it would make a great kitchen rug.  The bag used two very thin strands held together; a cream in cotton and a color in what felt like wool.  Wouldn't it make a great rug using two strands of kitchen cotton?

Sock Summit 2011 Day 2

Early morning at Sock Summit 2011.  The calm before the storm.

Knitters were still getting registered, heading for classes and waiting for the Marketplace to open.

I was a teacher's assistant again.  This time, I helped Franklin Habit who was teaching Photographing Your Fiber.  Although teacher's assistants don't get to participate in the class, I still learned a TON of stuff about photography and what I've been doing wrong all this time. 



 The volunteer coordinator had scheduled two helpers for Franklin, so I took the morning and the other volunteer took the afternoon.  That worked out great, so I could get the PDX Knit Bloggers and Portland Spinnerati signs up in the marketplace before it opened.

This is what the Marketplace looked like at 4: 25 p.m.

Cindy and I had a few minutes to put our feet up before the doors opened.

Five minutes later, the doors opened and the knitters flooded in.

We were in the far back corner, and it seemed like they flooded in within seconds!

I don't know how they made it all the way to the back so fast!

The Marketplace was only open for 2 hours today.  I had to make my way upstairs to the Ballroom; I was scheduled to take tickets at the door for the Opening Reception, and got to stay for the festivities.  We were all surprised by the show of hands of the people who plan on being in the Super Secret Event on Saturday.

I know there were attendees who didn't get tickets to the Opening Reception, but it sure seemed like the whole  crowd was there.

The range and variety of hand knits was amazing!  Everywhere you looked, someone was wearing something beautiful!

Tina and Stephanie talked about how much harder in some ways, so much easier in other ways, and different in a whole bunch of ways this Sock Summit is from the first on.

They thanked the teachers, the volunteers, ST-2, and the guests for making Sock Summit everything it is.  

Oh yeah, and I bought stuff, too.  I'll show you that later. 

Tomorrow: Sock Summit 2011, Day 2.

Convention SWAG



Today was Registration Day at Sock Summit 2011, so Tami and I rode MAX to the Convention Center this afternoon.  Tami was working the Registration Desk and I was going to register and hang out.   We got there in plenty of time, but they were running behind so training was delayed, thereby delaying registration. 

Since we had a little time, Tami and I went into OSCON, which was being held in the other side of the Convention Center.  We started picking up the little bits of SWAG being handed out: note pads, magnets, key chains, coasters.  Then we discovered that if you let the vendor scan your badge, you got the good stuff: t-shirts, wooden puzzles, canvas tote bags.  Good thing we scored a couple of tote bags, because we needed them to carry our booty.



Yep, that whole pile is what we each brought home from OSCON.  I wish the vendors at Sock Summit gave away this much SWAG!

Tomorrow:  Day 1 of the Summit, who I got assigned to, the Marketplace, and Opening Reception. 

Social Butterfly

Where has the last week gone?  It seems to have just flown by.

The volunteers met up last Thursday at McTarnahan's Tap Room to get the scoop on Sock Summit 2011.  We didn't find out what our assignments are; we got those by email today.  We also had the chance to practice a little something for a super secret plan. 

ToolMan and I went to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning and bought wonderful fresh vegetables.  We've been eating salads made from the huge head of crisp leaf lettuce, a couple bunches of mild red radishes, and sweet red tomatoes.  And enjoying the bouquet of fresh flowers on the dining table. 

We got confirmation from the Sock Summit crew gave a thumbs up to our team for the Fleece to Foot Challenge during Sock Summit 2011!  Duffy and I have gathered some of the best spinners and knitters we know to help us out.  And Duffy came up with the perfect name: PDX Puddle Jumpers!  I ordered some "costumes"; now all we need is a little practice spinning in the grease and we should be ready. 

Last night was the monthly Portland Spinnerati meeting at Urban Fiber Arts.  It was nice to be back in a spinners circle; I forgot how much I miss that.  I took a few more of ToolMan's shawl pins to Cindy for the shop.  And I managed to spend the rest of what was left on my gift card.  Not too hard, really; the gray BFL was just too nice to leave there!  I was spinning a pair of buns that my friend Barbara brought me a couple years ago; I managed to get one done and started on the second one.

I got the email today with my assignments for Sock Summit, and I am OVER THE MOON!  I'm dying to tell you what my jobs will be, but I want to save the big reveal for Sock Summit.  Since there will be free wi-fi this year, I'm thinking about taking the laptop to do some real-time blogging.  Or maybe some Skpe calls from the marketplace floor?  Maybe we could squeeze in a video interview or two for the blog?  Hmmm, I'll need to figure out how to do those things; lol!

I missed knit night tonight.  Not only am I too pooped for it, but I have to bake quiche for the office potluck tomorrow.  We do a potluck every couple of months.  This one fell on Bastille Day, so we actually have a theme besides "whatever we felt like making at the last minute".  I'm baking a couple of quiche from Costco.  It was that or a drive-through window tomorrow for a dozen large orders of french fries.

Out With The Old? In With The New?

First, Out With The Old. Here's a recap of last year:

What I Knitted:

ToolMan’s Driving Cap
Barbie Clothes
Queen Anne’s Lace Shawl
Dryer Balls
White Mohair Cowl
LaLa’s Simple Shawl in Sea Wool
Storm Cloud shawlette
Hot water bottle cozy from handspun
LaLa’s Simple Shawl in StitchJones (gifted)
Readers Wrap in Twinkletoes (may be frogged)
Baby Surprise Jacket for trtlbby
Clapotis in BMFA handspun
Socks for me
Bamboo & Ewe socks for ToolMan
Wool socks for ToolMan
Transitions short sleeve cardigan for me
Sample sock for StitchJones
LaLa’s Simple Shawl in Glam Sock Yarn
Swallowtail for me
Yak Hat for ToolMan
Fingerless Mitt (6 pair) for coworkers
Hat for Nic
Scarves (4) for coworkers
Coffee Cup Cozies (12 or 13, I lost count) for coworkers
Felted Bowl for Jane
Elf Hat
Fulled Bags (gifted)


What I Spun:

Lots and lots of yarn in lots and lots of different fibers


New Things I Learned:

Went to a sheep shearing and processed the fleece
Drumcarded batts for the first time
Went to alpaca shearing
Processed and spun the exploded clown fiber


Other Stuff I Did:

Unraveling Sweaters Tutorial
Dryer Balls Tutorial
World Wide Knit In Public Day
World Wide Spin In Public Day
Demonstrated at Multnomah Days
Assisted at Sock Summit


Of course, there's the other stuff that happened last year: Although there were some really great things that happened last year, like Sock Summit, the basket of hearts from Knit Sibs, there were also the really not-so-great things that happened last year. Like ToolMan's heart attack and colon cancer, got a new job in The Big Company and changed offices, Andy Rooney became diabetic, my brothers faced health issues, and I continued battling sarcoidosis. I wasn't sad to see the end of 2009. As far as I'm concerned, it went on way too long.


Now, In With the New. Here's what I've got planned, so far:

Pattern Writing:

There are a couple patterns rolling around in my head that I'd like to get published this year. I signed a contract for one to be in a book, so one of them will be released into the world this year. As for the others, we shall see what develops.


Knitting:

I've cast on a new project: a pair of socks for myself in Bamboo and Ewe. I loved the way it felt when I knitted that pair for ToolMan and decided to make myself a fancy pair in red to wear with my black mary janes. I must have been suffering from temporary insanity because I picked a pattern with . . . are you ready? A 72 row repeat. That's right, A SEVENTY-TWO ROW REPEAT. I started it three times before I quit arsing it up. I thought for a moment, and only a short moment, about knitting them the way I usually do: two at once on separate sets of dpns. Except that in this pattern, the socks are MIRROR IMAGES of each other. So you knit one sock reading the chart from left to right and the other from right to left. Even thinking about doing them at the same time seemed like a big ole' piece of crazy pie that would surely come back to bite me in the ass. So, one at a time it is. Gotta say though, I'm almost to the heel on the first one and it is seriously beautiful.


Spinning:

I'd like to get through a lot of the stash. There are some really luxurious fibers in there that I've been holding onto until I felt I was good enough to spin them. I think I'm ready now.


Blogging:

I've thought about giving up the blog. Not shutting it down or anything, just not being as regular about posting as I have been in the past. Oftentimes it seems that this blog is a lot of self-centered navel-gazing for me. I mean, really, I don't get all that many comments, although when I do, they're great. Usually, when I get to thinking like that, I get some great comment like the last one from Anonymous. Or my Google Analytics Report comes in and shows a bunch of hits from all over the world. Estonia? Really? Do you know how flattered I am that an Estonian knitter (you are a knitter, right?) come to read this? And Iceland? And China? And Japan? And New Zealand? And Brazil? So then I decide that I'll keep it up for awhile more. But really, see that button on the side bar that says "Would it kill you to comment?" I meant that.

My Gall Bladder:

OK, so this is new to the blog but it really should be up there in the Out With The Old. For at least 3 or 4 years, I've had near constant heartburn and reflux. About 3 months ago, nearly everything I ate made me nauseated. We finally figured out it's the dang gall bladder. So, next Thursday morning, out it comes. We'll have to see how that 72-row repeat sock gets along on pain killers.

We're still here. Barely.

My Knit Sib, Cindy, sent an email asking how ToolMan and I were doing. I'm glad she did, because posting here had escaped my memory, so my response to her was most of what I'm posting here.

I feel like I haven't seen anybody in weeks! I know everyone was at Sock Summit, but I didn't really get a chance to just sit and knit and chat. Plus, I missed Wednesday knit night before and after Sock Summit.

ToolMan got to come home on Wednesday, which was my first day at back at work so our son Chris sat at the hospital until he was released. He is REALLY tired; napping both morning and afternoon so I've been doing dinner duty and getting Andy fed and shots, so both of us have been to bed early all week. By Saturday, I needed to catch up on laundry that hadn't been done in 2 weeks. There was just too much to do and I was too tired to get downtown for Spinnerati on Saturday.

I'm finishing up the round yoke cardigan this weekend; the body and both sleeves are done so only the button bands to remain to finish. I stopped at Joann's yesterday and found the perfect buttons. I'm making up the pattern as I go, but since it's top down construction I've been able to try it on as I go and adjust as necessary. I'll post pictures after it's been finished and blocked.

I have been spinning up the grey Jacob and some of the locks from the Exploded Clown box, but not much to look at yet. I'll post pictures of the yarn after it's been finished.

That's all for now; I'll try to post later in the week with the finished sweater. In the meantime, to paraphrase Elizabeth Zimmerman, "Knit on through all crises."

Sock Summit 2009, Days 3 and 4

Remember Paula, my fangirl from Day 2? Thanks to Tami and her fast kinneering, the moment she asked for my autograph is now preserved for posterity.


And I eventually composed myself enough to actually sign the sock blocker. I hope I left room for the real KnitStars to sign it, too.



Day 3 was the second full day in Judith's class; no pictures from that, but here's one from Day 4. She was teaching "Spinning Exotics for Socks". That's one of my Spinning Sisters, Melinda. She's gldelx on Ravelry and her blog; she says it's "goldilocks" but I think it's "girl, deluxe".

I hope she remembers the parts of Judith's classes that have since fallen out of my head. I'm sure some of it fell out; there certainly can't be enough room in there to hold everything she said over the last four days!

On Day 3 (Thursday, right? They're all starting to run together. Seriously.), I went home after classes, got Andy Rooney fed and his insulin shot in, and went back to the World Forestry Center for the Ravelry Meetup.

There were LOTS of people. Go over to Tami's Picassa album; she's got way better pictures of the meetup than I do.

I did spot Charisa Martin Cairn, who had come down from Seattle for the Meetup. She didn't go to Sock Summit (silly girl!) because she's not really a sock knitter. She's contemplating starting a new knitting (and maybe spinning, too) guild in Seattle with thoughts towards some Pacific Northwest retreats or workshops. I left her sitting on the steps, dove into the crowd, and came up with Deb, whom I drug (somewhat forcefully, I fear) over to Charisa. My introduction?

"Deb, this is Charisa. She wants to do Northwest fiber events. Charisa, this is Deb. She does Northwest fiber events. Discuss." And I left to go find the bar.

All too soon, it was dark and then Jess was on the p.a. system saying the bar would stay open as long as there was food, so we should either drink fast or eat slowly. Then they started calling numbers for door prizes.

Day 4 was a morning of classes and then the Luminary Panel in the afternoon. I tried to take pictures, but we were so far in the back that none of them came out very well. Go over to Rachel's blog, she's got better pictures of that than I got. There was a professional videographer set up, so when they offer a CD, I'll definitely buy one. Oh, and check out Duffy's blog, too; she got the ultimate souvenir. Wish I'd thought of it! And if you want the Sock Summit report to end all reports, go read MonicaPDX's blog; she'll take a few days of recuperation to get it all up, but I guarantee she'll have the most complete report of all!

At the end of the Luminary Panel, I went up to the front to say a final goodbye to the teachers I babysat: Nancy Bush and Judith McKenzie McCuin. They thanked me and I them, we exchanged hugs and emails, and promised to let each other know whenever we are near another's home so we can touch base. I don't know when I'll next see Nancy, but I hope to get over to SunRiver to see Judith at SOAR.

There had been drawings going on at the Marketplace for doorprizes, many of which were apparently not claimed. So, the ST-2 gals had bunched them into bags and were calling random names and giving away bags until they were all gone. Immediately after I had said my goodbyes to Nancy and Judith, my name was called for a bag. And what a bag of goodies it was! Inside was a packet of note cards and a packet of postcards of Knotes for Knitters from Local Gringos; an audio book of A History of Handknitting from Knitting Out Loud; a box with two skeins of Louet Gems, a bottle of Soak, and a sock pattern all from Louet; two bottles of goat's milk and shea butter hand lotion in Cupcake and Lemon Chiffon scents also from Local Gringos; a skein of beautiful green merino sock yarn from Sliver Moon Farm; three button from Katrinas Wool World; a set of five glass and silver stitchmarkers from Purrfectly Catchy Designs; and a set of six ebony Sox Stix dpns in size 1 from Lantern Moon.

As nice as it is to have goodies to bring home and fondle, I really do miss the Sock Summit! I've been to TKGA and Black Sheep and Oregon Flock and Fiber, but they really do not compare to Sock Summit. To have that many knitters, the vendors, the teachers, the Knitting Rock Stars, the Ravelry friends, all in one place, creates an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship that simply cannot be described. I feel extremely grateful to Stephanie and Tina for sharing it with all of us and extremely blessed to have asked to take part. It was an experience that I will never forget.

Sock Summit 2009, Day 2

I rode in to Sock Summit Day 2 with Tami again today. It began with hordes of knitters lined up. For the MarketPlace. The line started at registration,



Stretched past the Starbucks, and



down almost to the other end of the concourse.

While I waited for time to set up for classes, I kinneered a few KnitStars.

Here's Kelly Petkun, owner of KnitPicks. Actually, Kelly and I are friends; I teased her about missing so many Portland Spinnerati meetings and told her she'd have to start attending to hear all about what I'm learning from Judith McKenzie McCuin.



Meanwhile, Cookie A was looking for something; I think maybe it was her classroom?




Jess and MaryHeather of Ravelry were spotted grabbing their coffees.



Lucy Neatby was wandering the halls, looking colorful. I know this was blurry, but she was moving FAST! And yes, her hair really is pink and purple; her shoes were pink and green. One of each.



I spent a wonderful morning listening to Judith McKenzie McCuin talk about spinning exotic fibers for socks. Can you imagine socks made of cashmere? How about baby camel? Yak and merino? Silk? Her favorite? A blend of merino, angora, and silk. Can you imagine how luxurious those must feel?

Here's Judith handing some Chinese cashmere to some of the students. The one in the black is Sandi Wiseheart, of Knitting Daily, who was back for a second class with Judith.



Here's my spinning sister, Sara Ferguson, who was also in the class today. I helped Sara get started spinning and taught her exactly one lesson before she sprouted wings and flew on her own. I got the best compliment possible today when Judith looked at her spinning and said, "Well, it looks like you've been doing this forever."



Class was only 3 hours today because there were plans afoot to set a new Guinness Book of World Record today. I stayed to lock up Judith's classroom, so I missed the event, but I know they not only broke the old record of 256 people knitting simultaneously, they absolutely smashed it with over 1,000. While waited for Judy Becker to finish helping set that record, I was busy kinneering again.

Here's Ann Hanson, who had just finished teaching a class on designing socks and was probably plotting to teach even more people to design socks.



Here's Stephen of the hizknits blog being chatted up by fans.



And I have no idea who this guy is, but I'll kinneer any man brave enough to: (1) wear a kilt, and (2) go to a knitting convention.



Then Judy showed up and could hardly contain herself. She had a class this morning with Barbara Walker. I KNOW I would have been squeeling, too! After her class, Barbara had asked her students if they'd like to buy some things she was selling. Can you believe it? Judy got a pair of socks (knitted by Barbara!), a little talisman bag (again, knitted by Barbara!) and a deck of Barbara's Tarot Cards!

She's always told me that she has dibbs on the ToolMan, so I asked her if she'd trade me for the socks. She turned me down. Some friend she turned out to be!

I grabbed a quick bite and headed over to make a turn through the Marketplace and give StitchJones a chance to shop while I watched her booth for her. Guess who I spotted in the tables?

The one and only, elusive, MonicaPDX! I know; she's blurred. I'm tellin' you, these knitter people are so high on yarn fumes that they are moving FAST!

Here's Brian from Skacel. Not the best picture, but this crazed knitter is knitting seven pairs of socks on one circular needle. Yes, you heard right; a week's worth of socks in one swell foop. He's either genius or crazy, we haven't decided which. Yet.



I made a stop by Abundant Yarn and captured this scene. No, it is not a porno film in the making! That's Stevanie Pico, the brilliant dyer, licking a temporary tattoo which she has stuck to Larissa Brown's . . . um, . . . chest. Good thing they're friends.



I got to StitchJones booth and took over for her so she would have a chance to cruise the Marketplace. I loved having a chance to pimp her yarn and brag on my friend. Just as StitchJones returned, Tami also returned.

We were chatting with a couple of customers and getting ready to leave when a woman walked up to me, she said she read my blog and would I sign her sock blocker! I blurted out something along the lines of "Somebody get a camera because I found the person who reads my damn blog!" Yes, you can dress me up, but you can't take me out in public. Paula, wherever you are, you MADE my day!