An annual expo for all things yarn-related, Stitches Midwest was a step above last year. We stayed an extra day and knitted many hours in the fancy hotel lobby. A knitting-board afghan and glow-in-the-dark wrist cuffs were my happy poison.
We walked a few laps in the market Friday and discovered a few treasures. I tried to focus on accessories instead of yarn but I was foiled by a few gems. After a day of driving and shopping, we happily relaxed at pajama party hosted by amazing "somebunnyslove" Kimberly.
I was surprised to win the prize for craziest pajamas with my sock monkey'd apparel. My last-minute slippers even matched but they kept falling off. I didn't measure my negative ease too well with the Pretty Peds pattern by Bethany Dailey (PDF). But a simple strap will keep them on for future footing.
Our Saturday market trek was more laid back. I needle-felted another pin and added to my roving fiber stash. Now I have to actually needle-felt more at home. With all these pretty colors, I have no excuse!
During one of our breaks, Julie Romanowski of Knitters Magazine chatted us up about the show. We told her how we loved the market but haven't tried the rather-pricey classes yet. Then I filled her in how loom-knitting has leaped forward in the past several years. I may have name-dropped a few of my favorite loom makers and authors. I don't know if it will go anywhere. But it would be pretty awesome to see loom-knitting represented at future Stitches. Hey, I would even be willing to teach one of the market sessions if I were a big name.
Saturday was topped by a surprise that I can't talk about yet but it cemented smiles on our faces for the rest of the trip. On Sunday, we knit some more (of course) and then loaded our loot. Without further adieu, here's my take (kinda clockwise):
- Needle-felting kit of many colors from Esther's Place
- Unplanned Peacock Studio sock yarn, KidLin mohair, Wacky Woolies mug and stitch markers ... all part of my PJ prize
- Newton's Nevada Print yarn ... for a someday lacey thingie
- A Knitting Universe t-shirt with a cool kangaroo
- Creatively Dyed Yarn "Beaches" fingering weight ... the colorway is called Kingsland but it's vampire yarn to me
- Colinette Art yarn from Flying Fingers Yarn Shop ... where an awesome dude gave us free totes and needles
Speaking of Flying Fingers, we checked out their ride on our way out.
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you forgot the crazy train trip!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had an awesome time! :) I just love those kinds of events, but we don't get many here in the Pac NW...although I did get to check out the Sock Summit last year, which was a ton of fun!
ReplyDeleteThose slippers go perfectly with your sock monkey pjs. :) No worries about the slipping...I have a few pairs of store bought sockies that shape to wear with little shoes that you want to look barefoot in, and they're always slipping off, so I use *double stick tape!* on my heels to keep them in place, lol. This is the reason the pattern has a strap, because I don't think any amount of negative ease will actually keep this babies on your feet without tape! lol.
Thanks for sharing your fun!
Thanks Bethany! I think it would be awesome for you or Isela to be invited to teach at one of these type events. Or to even see a market booth from Knifty Knitter. I enjoy showing needle-knitters that we can do almost anything they can do. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnd yep, I intentionally skipped the strap part on the slippers because I was low on time. Now I know how important that little piece was! I do love the slippers though and how fast they knit up in a pinch so thank you!!