Just Knitting Video Book Review of Cold Weather Crochet by Marly Bird

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Today, I have a brief Book Review of Cold Weather Crochet, by Marly Bird, published by Interweave.com as of this month.

Here is the link to listen to me interview her on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird. Yes, that would be me interviewing her on her program! Here is the link to check out the patterns listed in Ravelry.


This is an unsolicited opinion, mine, of a new book. You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

About a shawl

About a shawl...

Recently, I finished a shawl that I wish to tell you about.

My story begins is a yarn. Prior to attending Stitches West 2015 in Santa Clara, CA, Dizzy Blonde Studios, as a good vendor does, was letting their audience know what they would be bringing to offer in the Marketplace.

Also known as torture.

One of the colorway I was especially attracted to because it was various shades of purple, so I headed over to the booth at my first opportunity. I was standing in the middle of the aisle and could see the skein I came to find hanging on the back wall of the booth. And hanging next to it was this....

This is their Lambie Toes, in colorway I Aim to Misbehave, inspired by the short-lived tv show, Firefly. The colors are a deep peacock blue and a dark grape with a bit of blank to keep them apart. It called to me from it's place high on the wall at the back of the booth, I fought my way through the crowd and reached for it like the prize on the shelf.

I carried it home to Idaho, tucked away in my suitcase which I never let out of my sight.  And then I put it on my shelf and waited for the project it was meant to be to speak to me.

Not the first skein of yarn of Dizzy Blonde that's been in that holding pattern. Last year, I bought the 2014 Knit Dizzney Skein, inspired by Lilo & Stitch, another lovely mix of purple and turquoise blue. I also purchased the 2015 Knit Dizzney Skein, inspired by Tinkerbell, a mix of cyan blue and lime green with sparkle tossed in (as you would expect). Nothing seems worthy of the Dizzney skeins, especially the glittery one.

Keep in mind, I am not a yarny. Like foodies, who knows where their food came from and all about the perfect ingredients it can be combined, a yarny can give you a complete history of the fiber they work with. I can't name the sheep this wool came from. I have been knitting since I was a teen-ager, close to 40 years, but it has only been in the last ten years or so that I've had opportunity to knit with wool.

Here's what I do know about this yarn: It's beautiful. It's a fingering weight blend of 75% wool and 25% nylon (commonly used for socks). This particular skein has a bit of halo or fuzz to it, so I'm being careful to wash in in something that doesn't make the halo turn to pills. Dizzy Blonde Studios is a small business, I have not been there, but I imagine it's done in a kitchen with kettles and other tools brought out on weekends and other free time just for the purpose. I don't know the names of the dyes or her process of getting the colors she does but the color saturation on this still melts me like it did the day I saw it in the booth.

Somebody else who is a fan of Dizzy Blonde Studios is Erica Hernandez. She admits that the geekery names of the Dizzy Blonde colorways get her attention. So I know I'm not the only one. The one that inspired her to create a design and write a pattern was Sad Little King named for a character portrayed by a favorite actor. She created a shawl shaped to wrap around the shoulders, with tri-angles. The pattern is fairly easy, mostly stockinette, garter and rib stitching. The edge is attractive, it creates a mock-pleated ruffle. Here is her pattern picture of the shawl from the back:

Here is mine, fresh of the needles before blocking or ends woven it, so you can see the finished not-quite-square shape:

... and here is the finished piece on, worn backwards so I can pretend the colors are leading me astray.

I will be mailing this shawl to Dizzy Blonde Studios, so she can display in her booth at Stitches West 2016 if she likes. If you'll be attending the event, I hope you'll stop by and see it, so that you can see what I mean about the colors.

Book Review (Video), Unexpected Cables by Heather Zoppetti

Book Review, Unexpected Cables by Heather Zoppetti, published by Interweave.com

Today, I'm reviewing, Unexpected Cables by Heather Zoppetti, published by Interweave.com. You can find Heather Zoppetti at her website, here is the link to view the patterns in Ravelry

This is an unsolicited opinion, mine, of a new book. You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Video book review, New Lace Knitting by Romi Hill

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Today, I have a brief Book Review of  NEW LACE KNITTING by Romi Hill. This was published in September by Interweave. Here is the link to view ALL the patterns from the book in Ravelry.

This is just my opinion, I only want to share another new book! I have not been paid or asked to review, I'm expressing my admiration. You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits.

I am also known as the Social Medusa on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.

Video Book Review, Customize Your Crochet by Margaret Hubert

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Today, I have a brief Book Review of  Customize Your Crochet by Margaret Hubert. This was published in September by Creative Publishing International. Here is the link to purchase the book through Amazon.

This is just my opinion, I only want to share another new book! I have not been paid or asked to review, I'm expressing my admiration. You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits.

I am also known as the Social Medusa on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.

Book Review, Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby

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Today, I have a brief Book Review of  Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby. This was published in 2006 by XRX Books. Here is the page in Ravelry also, so you can see the variety of patterns.

This is just my opinion, I only want to share another new book! I have not been paid or asked to review, I'm expressing my admiration. You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Book Review, Custom Socks by Kate Atherley

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Today, I have a brief Book Review of  Custom Socks: Knit to Fit Your Feet by Kate Atherley. This was published in May by Interweave and is also available in digital format. Here is the page in Ravelry also, so you can see the variety of patterns.

This is just my opinion, I only want to share another new book! You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Book Review, The Art of Slipped-Stitch Knitting

Book Review, The Art of Slipped-Stitch Knitting

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Today, I have a brief Book Review of  The Art of Slip-Stitch Knitting by Faina Goberstein and Simona Merchant-Dest. This was published in May by Interweave and is also available in digital format. Here is the page in Ravelry also, so you can see the variety of patterns.

This is just my opinion, I only want to share another new book! You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Just Knitting Video Blog Book Review: Colorful Crochet Lace by Mary Jane Hall

Book Review, Colorful Crochet Lace by Mary Jane Hall, published by Interweave.

Today, I'm reviewing, Colorful Crochet Lace by Mary Jane Hall (the link to her designer page in Ravelry), published by Interweave.com. She also has a website near here called Positively Crochet!

I received this book because I helped with scheduling Mary Jane's appearance on the #YarnThing podcast with Marly Bird. I believe that's why I received the book, not because I'm cute or anything.

This is an unsolicited opinion, mine, of a new book. You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Book Review, Quick Crocheted Accessories by Sharon Zientara, published by Interweave

Book Review, Quick Crocheted Accessories by Sharon Zientara, published by Interweave.

Today, I'm reviewing, Quick Crocheted Accessories by Sharon Zientara, published by Interweave.com. You can find Sharon Zientara in Ravelry.

This is an unsolicited opinion, mine, of a new book. You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Seattle Mariners Stitch & Pitch 2015

I usually write a post when I get to go on a Knitting Adventure, filled with pictures.

Yesterday I got home from attending the Seattle Mariner's Stitch and Pitch, a little sad about how to do that, because my phone died just before I got to the game. I don't want to talk about that, really, except to express my deep sadness that a phone battery doesn't last enough for me to fly away from home, make a four hours bus ride before losing all power to take any pictures with. Even forsook taking any of the Brand-New Bar-Maids retail location for which I am deeply heartbroken.

So, I've stolen just two from my friend JJ Foster. JJ has a new business called The Traveling Ewe, designed to take folks on a day trip or weekend KNITTING adventures, from the Portland area. She got a very comfortable tour bus, had a baseball movie to watch, a collection of baseball themed snacks, like Cracker Jacks and Baby Ruth, and a really cool baseball hat!

JJ and I outside of Safeco Field.

That for me is the best part of any adventure is being with friends. Especially friends who you can knit with, and don't think it strange that you brought three projects to work on...

A GREAT BIG HIGHLIGHT (if you watched the last video I posted, you already know this) was getting to wave hello to Mr. Noro (he doesn't speak english, so flapping my hand at him was the best greeting I could give him) ask him to sign my book, written by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton (she signed it when she gave it to me) and stand behind him so someone could take a picture of Mr. Noro and his Son and myself.

I am now looking for someone who can read to me what her wrote. I am hoping he didn't say, "Get out of my face, you knit too slow."

My previous Stitch and Pitch Adventures, links to 2013, 2011, 2010 Anyway, happy knitting adventures to you. If you're interested in one with The Traveling Ewe, CLICK HERE to see if there's a possible wish to come true for you! You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Book Review, Annetarsia Knits by Anne Berk and Noro: Meet the Man Behind the Legendary Yarn by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton

Book Review, Annetarsia Knits: A New Link to Intarsia by Anne Berk, published by Double Vision Press 2014, available through her Website: www.annetarsia.com You can join a Ravelry Group to follow Anne, also she has a Facebook page.

Also Noro: Meet the Man Behind the Legendary Yarn by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton, published by Sixth and Spring Books in 2009, available through her website: hamiltonyarns.com You can join a Ravelry Group to follow Cornelia, also she has a Facebook page.

Also I refer to a book the will be out in a few months but can be pre-ordered now: Marly Bird's Cold Weather Crochet.

This is an unsolicited opinion, mine, of  favorite books by favorite people. You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Book Review ~ Creative Kids, two titles

Two books this time!

Creative Kids Complete Photo Guide to Crochet by Deborah Burgher

Creative Kids Complete Photo Guide to Knitting by Mary Scott Huff

This is an unsolicited opinion, mine, of a new book. Filmed on my iPad next to my stash, need to work on finding a safe place for it to sit up... but I think the sound has improved by using the new earbuds with microphone built-in.

You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Book Review, Lace Yarn Studio by Carol J Sulcoski, published by LarkCrafts.com

Book Review, Lace Yarn Studio by Carol J Sulcoski, published by LarkCrafts.com

Today, I'm reviewing, Lace Yarn Studio by Carol J Sulcoski, published by LarkCrafts.com. You can find Carol Sulcoski at her website, in Ravelry and on Facebook

This is an unsolicited opinion, mine, of a new book. Please pardon my appearance, this was done while at work (My Monday!) and I've been suffering allergies, also just back from a camptrip where I got toasted (not the good way).

You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Book Review, Designer Crochet and Crochet So Lovely

Today, I'm reviewing Designer Crochet: 52 Patterns to Elevate Your Style, Sizes Small to 5X by Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby with photography and illustrations by Jason Mullett-Bowlsby, together they are Shibaguyz Designs, and Crochet So Lovely, by Kristin Omdahl of Styled by Kristin.

You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Book Review, Splendid Apparel by Anna Zilboorg

Thank you for accepting my invitation to view this new post.

Today, I have a brief Book Review of Splendid Apparel: A Handbook of Embroidered Knits, by Anna Zilboorg, published by XRX books as of May 1st, according to Amazon.

Here is a picture of myself with Anna Zilboorg and her daughter at Stitches West 2015 where we were all so excited about the book, we sold out of all the copies the first day.

As a after thought note, I am seriously considering taking Marly Bird's pattern Simona (link from Ravelry pattern store) and applying Anna's techniques, so stay tuned!

You can find me in Ravelry as wearingpurple, in Twitter as wearingpurple1 and I have a public group in Facebook called Pursuit of Happy Knits

Podcast recently heard.

There are three types of entertainment on the internet for knitters: blogs like mine and podcasts of the audio kind and video.

A lot of blogs and podcasts are a way for an opinionated knitter to voice their opinions. Saying that, I'm not saying its a negative thing as we sometimes think opinions are, but a way of posting the things learned with anecdotal experience. NONE of this is, as with most of what's on the internet, is scientific proof. There are no absolute truths in blog posts or podcasts except that these are the things we have learned and the desire to share.

I listen to a LOT of podcasts while I'm working in the office. I often compare them to having a knitting radio station to listen to or a channel on tv to watch. I recently purchased an iPad and went through iTunes subscribing to every knitting/fiber podcast I can find, I think there are about 80 subscribed to right now. Here is a list of what I've been listening to lately. (Links are provided to those I can find, for the specific episode I heard and any memorable notes.)

• Curious Handmade, have listened to couple of the last few episodes.
• Knit British, part 2: EYF (Ediburgh Yarn Fest)
• Woolful, #17. Very educational, I learn a LOT about fiber farming...
• Prairie Girls Knit and Spin, #65
• Yarniacs, #84
• Fat Squirrel Speaks, (video, have watched in the past) #142. LOVED Battlesheep!
• Knitting in Circles, #157, video. husband and wife. LOVED this, I will be back.
• Equal Opportunity Crafter, video
• Knit Theory, #36, video. She had a great segment of podcaster trivia that I loved.
• Fiber Trek, video
• Hudson Valley knits, video
• Southern Girls Knit, #21 video
• Yarngasm, #143, Video, from Voolenvine Yarns
• Fiberista Files, #170, video
• Sassypants Knitter, #130, video
• Knitworthy, video, another mother/daughter, absolutely LOVELY
• Knitting Go, #54, video
• We Are Yarn, #117, video
• Susan B Anderson, #13, video, this one included her vacation on white sand beaches, beautiful.
• A Playful Day, ep, 'Tag, You're It!', audio, included interview with Robin Houghton
• Yarns from the Plains, #94, from the UK, in Audio
• Doubleknit, #104, have heard in the past
• Twinset Designs, #55
• Commuter Knitter, #91
• Anatomy of Knitting, #64. video, an American in Ireland!
• Fluffy Fibers, #26, video from France (in English), she sounds like Kiera Knightly, a joy to hear.
• Knit Circus, LOVE LOVE LOVE! have heard the last two or three episodes.

At this point in the list, I want to mention that I am a faithful listener to the following (including because I've listened to recent episodes):

• Knitting Pipeline, #203
• Craftlit. we're reading classic books here, currently Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility.
• Dark Matter Knits, #28 video.
• Knotty Girls Knitcast, #45, audio, perfect mix of nerdy and knitting. (Did you hear when they interviewed me?)
• Knitting Rose Yarns, #182, Knitting Rose is an indie dyer of yarns also, usually husband and wife, audio.
• Knitmore Girls, mother/daughter podcast in audio.
• 2 Knit Lit Chicks, mother/daughter podcast in audio, with books!

Also have to say, Yarn Thing with Marly Bird, for which I am Social Media assistant. Airs twice weekly, airs LIVE originally, unique that way and because it's not about her and what she's working on, but invites a guest. There's been a couple of occasions lately that I've been on the program to help out....

_____________________________

So, a few notes about listening/watching podcasts in general FOR ME! 

From what I've been hearing, people have been saying they download the podcasts and listen while walking the dogs or jogging. It wasn't until just recently that I used a device (laptop or iPad) with hearing attachment, I've had earbuds from an old Kindle that I wasn't using, and a gamers headset from recording Fiber Hooligans (had a microphone). I picked them up recently because there is construction going on across the street, and have found that the constant pounding and beeping of the backing up construction vehicles are comfortably drowned out.

Which changes everything. Without earphones or earbuds, some of the podcasts are very hard to hear through the laptop speakers and impossible with the iPad. I tried to listen to a pair of ladies on a podcast not listed here, the one was not sitting up to the microphone even with my earphones on, I couldn't hear her and lost interest in their conversation, did not finish the one episode. 

This list has changed a lot since the last one I've posted. Some of those podcasts are now defunct, some for good reasons like constant bullying or just a change in a path made in the lives the podcasters and they've decided to move on. My tastes are changing, too. You'll see in this list there are a LOT of video podcasts now where, for a while, I'd completely given them up, because I don't WATCH and there was consistent difficulty loading. I've noticed there are some I don't have to watch to get, so I'm picking them back up again. Some are such quality, I've no interest in and maybe I won't ever pick them back up. I know I'm getting that way about a lot of the current ones I hear. I find I am losing interest in the solo ones who focus on what they are doing only, don't share what they are finding or reading.

Some of the podcasts that I'm following I think have these qualities that keep me coming back and probably will NEVER be dropped from my subscription list:

1. They've continued to pursue better sound quality, whether simply wearing a microphone on or near their mouth or sitting up to the one on the computer, perhaps investing in better equipment. 
2. Usually a duo, easier to follow a conversation. Some of these are over an hour long, maybe 90 minutes, pair (or more) of people speaking keeps my attention.
3. Talk about other things beside what's in their hands (as I said earlier), interviews or has a guest on, shares books or what they've heard elsewhere. MANY podcasters share what they've heard on other podcasts, so the list is ever changing of who you find to listen too.

The really, truly generous podcaster also shares other podcasts they listen to. The Knitmore Girls recently mentioned Revenge of the Knits, Knitting Butterfly and Down Cellar Studios, Prairie Girls Knit and Spin mentioned Suburban Stitcher, Stockinette Zombies mentioned Marly Bird (OK, not for the Yarn Thing podcast but for her designs they'd picked up from Bijou Basin Ranch) and Curious Handmade crossed the pond for the Knitting Pipeline Georgia Retreat and created a special episode with sound bites of the group sing-a-longs... My point is you'll constantly find MORE podcasts to listen to or watch.

I usually posts what I've been listening to in my Facebook Group, PURSUIT OF HAPPY KNITS. I try to think of that group as a place to find the comical and otherwise entertaining side of fiber. If that sounds like fun, it is a public group, you can request to be included. I do try to confirm that you are interested in fiber by your public profile, just a side note, if you're not approved right away, you can private message me. (I've had a few spam accounts requesting to be included, trying to avoid issues.)

Socks: New kind of heel, and new kind of needles

A few months ago, Marly Bird had Deborah Norville on the Yarn Thing Podcast. THE Deborah Norville. Don't believe me, CLICK HERE to listen. That wasn't the first time, but to get on with my story.

So. Ms. Norville shared all about her Serenity Sock Yarn, made by Premier Yarns. It's a surprisingly higher quality sock yarn, of 50% merino, 25% bamboo and 25% nylon, found generally in the bigger box stores of the craft variety. I happen to find it at a little out of the way store about 2.5 hours from home that I can visit when on adventure to Portland... Knitkabob, in Union, Oregon, population 250 or so. When I found this yarn in the shop there, I selected two pairs of socks worth and brought them home.

I took one pairs worth with me to STITCHES East to look for sock needles, those size 0 and 1 that I'm having a hard time finding. I had a hard time finding them there, too, ended up with Kollage Squares. It took a while to get use to them, not so much because they are square (maybe at that size, my fingers don't register the unique shape much) but the points I would consider lethal.

I would not recommend these to someone with animals or small children that tend want to cuddle while you knit, DO NOT LEAVE THEM OUT, and I would think twice about using them while riding in the car. Now that I'm almost done with the pair, I poked myself really good when I set them down beside me in the dark. Otherwise, I appreciate the preciseness of the points when working with finer sock yarn, greatly reduced the number of dropped stitches or partially knit stitches that had to be fixed when they were found several rows later.

I started the socks on the plane ride home. It was darker than this on the plane, the light in my seat wasn't working during the first leg of the trip and when the guy across the aisle put out his light I had to put them away. On the second leg, I considered poking the kid in the seat in front of me, who whapped me in the face with the zipper of his hoodie about three times.

These are a vanilla sock pattern, memorized. I don't always start at the toe, but generally just carry them along whenever I need a little project in my pocket or purse. The skeins aligned themselves to match this closely. It took very little effort to make the stripes match. If that is Premier Yarns product standard, another point for them.

The thing I did differently on this pair was an afterthought heel. I have read about them in magazines and other blogs and heard about them on several podcasts. (In fact, today I listened to Susan B. Anderson, describe doing a different type of afterthought heel for the simple joy of having uninterrupted flow of the color changes, with the self-stripping variety of sock yarn.)

From what I understand the principles of an afterthought heel are: knit a tube sock, decide where the heel goes, either lifeline or pick up the stitches the row above and the row below the one row selected for the placement, snip one stitch in the middle and carefully pick out those stitches. I generally work a short-row heel, so that working the heel itself seemed very doable.

I really like this method, but I think the next time I do this heel the sock will be from top-down, as then the heel and the toe will exactly match.

A little kitchener stitching and the heel is done.

I have one picture left to post, of the finished pair, which are very nearly done, except for kitchenering the second heel, weaving all the ends and blocking.

I am posting this and working on another post to cover my sadness at not being at STITCHES South this weekend, taking place in Nashville, Tennessee. I have been following the pictures and comments as much as possible, I know I'm missing out.

Happy Knitting, everyone!

(Earlier posts about socks: from 2011)

#STITCHESWest photo recap

I spend most of my time in the Market place during Stitches. Most of these pictures are from my recent acquisition of an iPad. There were just a couple of pictures on my cell phone I can't post here.

Judy is my booth buddy. I probably spend the most time at the Stitches Events with her. She has always treated me kindly, never made me feel small and laughs at my silly jokes. She makes the days go by joyfully.

Here she is wearing the Chelsea's Cowl, one of a set of four that were modeled in the Student Fashion Show by FOUR of the ladies I work with.

Some how, the magic ladies of A Darn Good Yarn got a fun cut-out image of Benjamin Levisay. They had a contest for the most fun selfies posted with him. I miss the time I spent with Benjamin on the Fiber Hooligan podcast. I miss his laugh, most.

Marly Bird and Stephen West. Marly is tall, I think Stephen must have been wearing stilts!

Kismet Andrews of Bar-maids and Marly Bird, the first opportunity they had to meet in person was on the market floor. Bar-maids is a new sponsor of the Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird. 

Wilhelmine Peers designed the piece on the cover of the most recent issue of Knitter's Magazine.

The next bunch of pictures are from the Pajama Party. This event has a great turn-out, as it starts at 10pm, AFTER the fashion show and banquet. They are a bunch of troopers, but also know fun!

Pam Haschke posed with Sharks fans, in her Shark hat. Pam is president of Halos of Hope, little more about that later...

 

Lindsey Martin, of Erin Lane Bags, is also a brand-new sponsor of the Yarn Thing podcast. The two of them together have moves and a huge spirit of fun, you'll only see at the party, so don't miss out on the opportunity when you have it! 

There's always cool prizes to be one at the Pajama Party!

Me and Marly. 

We were ALL singing 'YMCA', because THAT'S how we Pajama Party. 

COSTUME CONTEST!: 

Star Trek! 

Thing 1 and Thing 2, read a knitting poem in the style of Dr. Suess to Judge Stephen West:
Would you knit in a car? Would you knit in a bar? Why, yes, Sam I am.

Stephen's fan, came with a fan.

Stephen sang the Batman theme song, 'Nananananannanananana BATMAN!'

The winner of the contest wore knitted pantaloons.

Second runner up, wore Minnie Mouse ears and a Stephen West design shawl.

Footwear contest, judged by Lorna Misner. She had her work cut out for her.

The market is OPEN!

Anne Berk and I had coffee before the festivities began one morning.
She's way too perky or I haven't had enough coffee yet!

Gwen Bortner author of Entree to Entrelac

Betsy Hershberg, author of Besty's Beads was named Halos of Hope, Woman of the Year.

Kyle Kunnecke (aka Kyle William) I think has become a knitsib
(to borrow the term from Brenda Dayne), this was the first time we met. 

Patty proudly had to show her prizes to me! Marly Bird's pattern of
Outlander inspiration and the Bijou Basin Ranch Yarn to go with!

She knit the scarf from the recent Knitter's Magazine, which I think was an beautiful version!

Deborah Jarchow teaches WEAVING! 

Ginger Luters is also an author, of Module Magic

I think this is my favorite picture of the whole event. Anna Zilboorg is AMAZING, and as much as I overuse that word, there is no other to discribe her. I got to spend PRECIOUS time with her, she was in the booth for a book signing and (maybe because we'd sold out of her Splendid Apparel book two days before) no body showed up. So, I was blessed to VISIT with her and her daughter. She's a cheerful soul and seeing that smile make her giggle replay in my head. What a gift!

Adam Hurst writes and plays beautiful music in the Portland airport (where I've met him now, twice) to soothe the savage traveler. He's using his gypsy cello today, notice the carved head where the typical scroll would be. http://www.worldcello.com/

I met Portlandia in the airport. In this form, she is part of a giant wood carved cuckoo clock that was commissioned by the visitors bureau to tour the Pacific Northwest. I wondered if Portlandia and Medusa would get along but she declined my fries on the grounds that they would ruin her Amazonian figure, It was not for me to argue with her. Besides, Generally, she's a difficult woman to chat with, as she has been cast in bronze and resides on a building where she's best seen in winter when the trees below her can't interfere in the chat. 

The skirt is part of my stash enhancements, from Darn Good Yarn who traveled to California from the EAST coast. There's lots more, but the other photos won't load.