Stitches, Stash and the Harlot

Stitches was all a girl could ask for (although, some ladies said the market used to be BIGGER). My classes were great. Jean Frost, Sally Mellville, Candace Eisner-Strick and Margaret Fisher are awesome instructors. I now know that sleeves aren’t so hard (if you know how to measure), intarsia can be loved (although I’m not sure about the last design suggestions), knitting backwards isn’t all that hard (neither are short-rows or crochet cast-ons), and cutting out a row and adding more in a sweater is a snap (and not nearly as scary as it sounds). My design class was a bit of a disappointment, but I’ve got a good grounding in the basics and some good general tips on sizing. I met some very nice knitters and had a great time hanging out with Hubby.

I shopped. Oh yes, I shopped. There were bargains to be had! I only really splurged on one purchase, some hand-dyed microfiber ribbon. It’s so soft and yummy, I almost want to sleep on it. I also got some Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed in red (which Hubby has claimed), some Filature di Crosa 501 Tweed, Jo Sharp Soho Summer, Cotton Fleece, and a wool whose name I have forgotten. Once it gets sunny and I have time, I’ll take some photos and walk you through. I bought a few books, At Knits End (to replace the one Molly snacked on), Yarn Harlot, Jean Frost’s Jackets book, and Sally Mellville’s The Knitting Experience 3: Color. I also got some cool vintage buttons (those made Hubby’s eyes pop when he saw the prices). All in all Hubby was very cool about the purchases (especially after I told him I’d make him something from the DB Aran Tweed), but a strict No Yarn policy is in effect.

I met the Harlot. I was such a dork. It was Friday afternoon, she’d been signing for a little while and surprisingly there were only a couple of ladies in line. So as I waited, Monika, from Germany who wears the most beautiful sweaters with amazing color gradations she creates by plying 6 strands together, walked by and Stephanie mentioned the sweaters and I, of course, blurted out that Monika had been in my class and that she’d plied the yarn herself. Then Stephanie talked with Monika. When it was my turn, I had her sign Harlot and told her that I’d had to buy a second copy of At Knits End because my dog really liked the first one. She graciously joked about cross-species appeal and didn’t point out what a dork I was. She was really great. I wish I’d bought tickets to see her speak.

In other news, Billy has not bit anyone since Wednesday (cross your fingers), although his cold has moved into his chest. Hubby started out well at the poker tables, then tanked. I’ve turned the heel and finished the gusset on the second BBB sock. I’ve also gotten half-way through a sleeve on Fillie.

My mind is racing with ideas for the new yarns I bought. I’m barely even thinking about Mom’s birthday sweater and the huge, massive, insanity-provoking sweater project for my boys for Christmas. But, that’s the way it goes, isn’t it?