The Best!

That'd be you, Alison!

You see, I was "Alison-ed" on Friday evening. Apparently, after she made her deliveries at Stanford, she had a scarf that wasn't quite right for anyone. Then it dawned on her that it was destined for me. Me?

The Purlescence Girls were the deliverers of the scarf. I wasn't able to be at the shop on Thursday evening, but could stop by on Friday. I'm not often speechless (as many of you know), but... Yup, Alison is the best!

(The scarf is much more purple than in the picture.)

Now I'm off to catch up with my sister and her family. They're on their way up to Northern California, but stopping in Campbell tonight. So we're meeting for dinner in about an hour. Their kids don't start school until after Labor Day. My school started last week - sigh! And Mom & Dad will be in town on Wednesday...

And then there is the pumpkin plant... It's now trying to take the patio table by force.

Senior

How did this happen, this "growing up" thing? And how did it happen so fast?





"Mom, stop taking my picture! I don't understand why you have to do that."

"It's a mom thing. This is the last time I'm going to take your picture on the first day of school, so deal with it!"

(I couldn't find the kindergarten picture...so you get one of him in 4th grade.)

At the end of their senior year, students (usually their moms) make a collage of pictures from their school years. I have a feeling that many of us will be verklempt going through the photos. Now, where's that box?

My Stars!

(Warning: lots of pictures!)

Last week, I sat out in the peacefulness of my backyard and watched about a dozen shooting stars zoom over my head, courtesy of the Perseid meteor shower. It gave me some time to reflect on Sock Summit and Portland, Oregon and the wonderfulness of the Purlescence crew who gave me the opportunity to attend this event.

Friday was the first full selling day, and it was a loooong day! The market was open from 8:30 AM to 6 PM, to accomodate class attendees. It was also my shopping day. But first, Jade and I participated in the Guinness World Record attempt at the Most Number of People Knitting Simultaneously". The rules were - 2 needles only, knit for 15 minutes without stopping. (And yes, Jade is wearing her handknit socks pinned all over her clothing. She thought it would be an excellent way to show off her work - and I agree!)

We sat with Irishgirlieknits and Christy.












This is where I started







And 15 minutes later, here's where I stopped. Because I don't actually own any long straight needles anymore, I bought some Kollage square double-pointed needles. I liked them a lot! This is the Ann Norling Short-Row Multi-directional Scarf in Crystal Palace Mini Mochi, color 113 (tropical ginger).

This is the scarf I knit on for most of my time on the show floor; it ended up being about 5" wide x 80" long (it took 2 full balls of yarn).

Saturday and Sunday were comprised of more selling and more shopping and meeting more people and more inspiration and more....

Star Purchases:
This is all Sandi's fault! Socks that Rock Lightweight, destined to be a Charlotte's Web Shawl. From L to R: Lauma, Mermaid, KMBFLA, Beached, Tanzanite, Jubilation. (luckily for my wallet, I already owned the Tanzanite and Jubilation)



Other yarn (L to R): Black Bunny fibers, MacKintosh Yarns- Iona in color Taurus, STR Lightweight Rare Gems (2), Kangaroo Dyer, Huntington (Valley Yarns), Meg's Royal Purple from Periwinkle Sheep, Laceweight Colrain (Valley Yarns)

There were more purchases, but most of those weren't photographed before they became gifts.

The fiber (L to R): Crown Mountain Superwash Merino in Purple Rain, Huckleberry Knits Targhee top in Twilight, MaryJane's Attic.





Remember my button purchase? I'm pretty pleased that my color memory was just right!






More Stars:
SuperPurlescence Heroes - courtesy of Handknit Heroes.











Speaking of Stars, here are the Rivendell socks from the Sock Museum. Liz knit them in Dream in Color's Starry yarn, color - Grey Tabby, that has sparkly bits in it - don't know if you can see it in the picture.




Here's one of the cutest stars you'll ever see! Ellie was hugging these big knitted snakes at the Skacel booth. Never mind the man who was knitting 7 pairs of socks on one big (120") circular needle!







At the Luminary Panel. This closing event was absolutely awe-inspiring, tear- and laughter-producing (both in quantity) and worth all of the time on our feet. The Knitting Stars were out in force and we all benefited from their wisdom.




Portland was definitely the Star destination of the weekend. It was a joyous, green, comfortable place. I would go back in a heartbeat!






All in all, Sock Summit created such a knitting euphoria in everyone who attended. I hope that it will continue, in whatever format, as often as people are willing to step up to the plate. The Organizers (ST-1 and ST-2) put together a magnificent event, and I hope they will be able to do so again in the future.

Speaking of socks, I've finished my Mini Mochi socks in the Sunday Swing pattern. Love the pattern, loved the yarn, and they're nice and squooshy on the feet.








Here's a sample sock I'm knitting out of Flat Feet. Well on the way up the cuff, and so far have used less than half the first sock blank.






Other knitting on the needles:
1) Still working on my Sea & Shells stole; maybe about 75% done now.
2) Desperate to start the Farmer's Market Cardigan from the new Interweave Knits (Fall 2009), but must deal with a dye issue first.

3) If I couldn't start the Farmer's Market Cardigan, and needed to work on larger needles to give my hands a rest, then I should start another sweater that has been at the top of my queue since I don't know when, right? This is the Laurel Seamless Cardigan, from Knit 'n Style, April 2007. I've had the yarn (Schaefer Laurel) in stash since well before 2007.





I'll leave you with one final hurrah, from the pumpkin plant that hasn't figured out when to quit! It's come through the brick wall that divides the veggie garden and the patio and there are 2 small pumpkins on it, plus another flower.

And with that, so ends my summer! School begins next week.

Sock Summit - Day 1

It's really happening - Sock Summit has begun!









There is so much fiber and yarn in thousands of beautiful colors that I've been drooling as I've walked by some of the vendors. My credit card will never be the same!

Purlescence Yarns booth:
Before








During











After








Nathania thinks we did a pretty good job.








And then there are the Purl Up & Dye colors - gorgeous! The One-of-a-kind colors are on the tall rack and The Dye for Glory colorways are in the corner, Melantha, Oregon Berry Harvest and Purplescence on the bottom. They're next to the Flat Feet sock blanks. Lots of Mini Mochi, fiber, spinning accessories are also available.


A video taken before the Marketplace opened is in this blog post (about halfway down). I didn't see it because we were on the other side of the doors, but have been smiling and giggling ever since I saw it.

Portland

OMG, I'm in Portland for Sock Summit - OMG, OMG, OMG - I'm having so much fun!

Okay, enough of sounding like I'm a teenager. But I just had a fabulous day out with the Purl Girls yesterday. The towers are of the Oregon Convention Center.



I haven't seen any of the Sock Summit banners yet, but we did find this display in Powell's. An end cap display, right at one of the entrances. Click to make bigger!

There was some squealing involved, and book buying! No knitting books, but I found some out-of-print stuff that was on the To Read List.




Nathania and I left Powell's and went over to Knit-Purl where I fell in love with this little ball of Merino-3 by Catherine Lowe Couture Yarns. It's such a luscious little cake of a color called Black Violet that I had to have it. After all, I am the Queen of Purple Yarn!






We then walked over to The Button Emporium and Ribbonry and found buttons for a sweater she's working on. I, however, found buttons for a sweater that exists only in my dreams so far, but it will be done in the Plum Paisley colorway of Dream in Color Classy. Can you see why? (I can't find a link or a picture of the new color, but it's a darker version of Pansy Go-lightly.) And I loved the sheepy ribbon!

We also were at Josephine's Dry Goods - a REAL fabric store that had luscious fabric. I see that I failed to take a picture of the cute flannel I found to back a baby quilt. Maybe next time...

We happened to find a parking space by the First Presbyterian Church, and I was struck by the juxtaposition of the older church (built 1889-90) with the newer building behind it. It's hard to remember that our cities have hidden historical treasures. You can get a fuller view of the area if you take a little time to find out about the people who are the founders and previous inhabitants of the places you are visiting.

I'll have more time to explore this city later, but right now, I'm waiting for the call this morning to head over to the Convention Center to set up the booth.

(Oh - and Jade - you're an awesome roommate!)