I spend most of my time working from my apartment in Koreatown. I call it my crochet hermitage. So spending the entire weekend surrounded by people a whole lot like myself was a welcome change. My interest in what I’m working on is alway renewed by a simple trip to a yarn store, so imagine the effect of all those boothes of yummy yarniness. I am certainly inspired.
So to tell you the story of my weekend I’m going to list for you what inspired me:
I met Amy for the first time and adore her.
I finally spent more than a passing moment in the same room with Shannon. I’m not sure if we were ever introduced to each other so much as in the same place a couple of times this year. It’s very easy to stir up a whirlwind with Shannon on your side.
The Mason Dixon ladies rock! I had the best time chatting with them and their book makes me smile. I can’t wait to tell ya all about it in a future post. I love the wave of books co-authored over long distance.
Which brings me to Amy S. and Jillian. Regrettfully I didn’t get to chat too much with them. I am really enjoying reading their book.
And then there’s the orange-iciously super Kristi. Anyone who wears orange so well, I must be friends with.
There’s a lot of great stuff in the works. So much so that one of our great ideas took shape in the bathroom… you’ll learn all about it in the nearish future.
Kristine of Curious Creek Fibers opened her home to all of us for yummy soup and yarn show and tell. We learned about her dyeing process and gushed over her yarns. A crocheter herself, she sent Amy and I home with some gorgeous stuff to crochet with!
Kristine’s friend Mary Kay bought our book the day before, there was much squealing when we learned this. Yes, Kim and I squeal and might even hug you when we learn you have our book! There were some other similiar instances over the weekend. I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to see the book receive such warm reception.
Running around the show on Saturday we found ourselves in the Dancing Fibers booth fondling some sweet organic yarn and a soft baby alpaca. Folks were all just chatting away and then I read the hometown on someone’s name tag. I look up at the booth sign which also lists hometowns… Lubbock, Texas. I’m from Lubbock! It turns out that I attended the same junior high that their daughter attends! I will certainly be hitting Lubbock this year for a book signing and some teaching in their store. So wild to run into a bit of Lubbock in San Diego!
We bellied up to the bar to meet Anastasia and Kelly. I can’t wait to put some of their yarn cocktails in gift baskets. (I’m telling myself I’m going to become a highly organized and inspired gift basket giver, we’ll see.) They have many sweet crocheted confections… don’t let their tag “knitted refreshments” fool ya.
Susan’s square needles feel great in my hands. I’d sit and knit with this firey lady anytime. I can just tell she enjoys trouble.
I also got to know Lexie Barnes a bit. She was nice enough to let me chat with her on camera for a future podcast. Her bags are soooo cool.
Kim and I ran around and tried to personally thank each company that provided yarn for TYV Crocheting. I felt like a proud third grader showing each person what became of their yarn. Kim and I were so touched to learn that a copy of our book is sitting in the Rio de la Plata shop in Uruguay.
Finally, I had a great conversatin with Sharon of Lantern Moon. Speaking with her reminded me to truely see the origination of the items we hold in our hands. Beautiful baskets and delicious knitting needles aren’t the whole story. People are preserving their cultural crafts while earning what they need to have better homes for their families. She suggested Frog Tree and Be Sweet as two conscientious yarn companies to watch. Yeah, those Lantern Moon folks are good people!
I know I’m forgetting something, but it’s time for some more cough syrup and some sleep.
