Days 2, 3 AND 4

So I did make it to all 4 days of Stitches, for varying durations each day. I did manage to spend plenty on Friday, less on Saturday and a few parting purchases on Sunday. I would have blogged about my adventures after each day except I came down with a hella nasty cold. I am still sick today and I am losing my voice. Awesome way to spend the weekend, huh?

Anyways, when I am feeling less like the toxic avenger I will go into detail about my adventures at Stitches 2008!

Day 1

Dudes. What fun I had tonight! I am so glad that I went today! I had a supah fun time last year when it was just me and the OCK. But this year? It was SO MUCH FUN to run into Bobaknitters as well as other knitters I've met at places like Purlescence Yarns or Full Thread Ahead.

And it was such a treat to get to run into wine-plied Kristi throughout the night. I knew I missed her bunches but it really hit me whenever I saw her and realized that we weren't just chatting over GTalk, she was really standing RIGHT NEXT TO ME! Tee hee.

But the highlight of the evening was getting to walk around with the pretty princess herself, the OCK! This shawl is pretty in the photos but it's got NOTHING on seeing it in person. I heard multiple people gasping when she went by with it on, and it was pretty hilarious to see how big people's eyes got when they were looking at it trying to figure out how she had dyed the yarn to get it to line up so perfectly. And how enlightened they looked when she told them that it was handpainted after it was knit up.

As far as purchases go, I managed to escape with NO YARN PURCHASED. That's not to say I went home empty handed, but I left with only two free samples of yarn, Malabrigo Lace (DUDES.. FREE MALABRIGO LACE YARN. HOLY BEJABBERS.) and Cherry Tree Hill Supersock. You know that I so am going to hit those booths up again! I did buy a couple of things, mainly Ravelry swag (I have a Bob pin! Yippee!) and The Knitters Block from from The Article Pract booth.

Fun day. And it's only just begun! Tomorrow, round 2! Woot. (And yes, there WILL be yarn!)

ETA: Oh yeah, I totally forgot. So after the Ravelry meetup had officially ended and we were all just sitting in the room waiting for it to be time for the market place to open, they brought in a parade of the teachers for Stitches classes. I was sort of half assedly working on my Clapotis, when one of the teachers ran out of line to compliment the OCK on her shawl. After the teacher had mooned properly over the shawl in all its glory, she scurried back into line. And that was when I actually SAW who it was who was complimenting the OCK... it was freaking Lily Chin! That was seriously cool!

Kristi doesn't owe me $5

Yeah, I've been a good girl and I have been resisting when I get my Loopy Groupie Heads Up emails. But hell, I had $5 banked and I've been good... so I was bad!

Earlier this week, I bought a skein of Scouts Swag (in the colorway Fruit Salad) from momsue84 on Ravelry (seriously, omg she has billions of skeins of sock yarn. This woman has been destashing for like 3 months? And still, she keeps posting yarn for sale!) so my "earned" yarn purchase was used up.

And then I got the heads up email and well, one thing led to another and before I knew it a skein of Loopy Legends sock yarn dyed by Zen String in the colorway Pretty Pink Cactus.

So, Kristi no longer "owes" me $5. I canceled her out!

But hey, in like, oh, 31 hours or so it will be time for Stitches. Mmm Stitches.

Ruby

So on Sunday I managed to finish the sock I was test knitting for Fiber Fiend for a new pattern she's going to be selling at Stitches. I delivered it to her on Monday (hooray for holidays).

I love the lace pattern in this sock, it's a leafy pattern, and I am goofy for leafy lace.


My camera was hateful of the red in this sock. I don't know what the hell its problem was but I think you can get the idea of what it looks like. The yarn is much prettier than my camera wanted to show.


And for the record, this was my first top down sock I've knit. I don't know that I care for heel flaps still but I think the finished sock is lovely. And toe up socks are still #1 in my book!

I gots flowers!

tee hee early Valentine's Day delivery! Woot!

Awesome Present!

Today I finally received my final piece of my Christmas present from my niece and my sister. I am so completely excited by this basket! It is kind of silly how much I am loving it, but dudes, it is awesome.

They even bought me the top with my name embroidered on it.

I am so bringing this to Stitches!

The only thing is, they shipped the basket lid and the basket separately. The basket has been backordered since December and it finally shipped this month. And I totally got the lid before the basket. Though I did wonder what the hell kind of basket the lid went to!

They ordered it for me from the site Garnet Hill, here is the direct link to the basket. It doesn't say so on that site, but it is a reisenthel carrybag. (omg I was just looking at their site, I so want a carrycruiser now! Oh who am I kidding, I want like one of all of their baskets.)

Silent Poetry Reading

In honor of the third annual Bloggers (Silent) Poetry Reading, I will post my favorite poem. I was introduced to this poem in college by my psycho roommate that moved out halfway through our lease term, but I really do love it despite who introduced the poem to me.

I have it on a plaque in my bathroom that I got in the Muir Woods gift shop. Fitting I suppose to get a lasting reminder of my favorite poem in my most favorite place to be.

I like to think that this is how I conduct myself in the world. I think I do an okay job at it.

Anyways, here is my poem:

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Dudes! I am going to Paris!

Holy cow! It's really happening! I'm going to Paris April 15-22! WOOT!