Stitches West, 2005
I had an intense work week; the rain and brownout during the weekend didn't help much either. So this post is a little long, but I got you some Stitches West eye candy...
BF received this card from me for Valentine's Day. We exchanged little gifts (chocolate for me, climbing chalk for him) and then went out for dinner. We hadn't seen each other in 6 days; he had a project in Montecito and I headed for San Francisco for the weekend. That has been the longest amount of time we have ever been apart so this holiday was, for the both of us, a very sweet one.
My drive to San Francisco on Friday took 7 hours, due to traffic and the rain. It rained. All. The. Way. But a good friend, good food, and good wine awaited me at journey's end. We talked waaayyyyy into the night. I was tired and passed out dead with dreams of yarn dancing in my head. My drive back to L.A. on Sunday took 5.5 hours, mainly because I was doing 85-90 mph and drafting off other fast cars. No cops!
Where to begin? Saturday we skipped the long line; I had purchased tickets beforehand so we got in before the crowds.
There were great samples everywhere. White Lies Designs had a jacket, Amelie, that I really liked. And then of course there was the knitted lingerie...
Yarn was everywhere. Amy and I scoped out the whole show in 30 minutes to get a feel, then I started buying.
From Webs, a bottle of Eucalan. There were some good bargains, but I need to knit from stash.
From Silver Creek Yarns, a skein of Handpainted Merino/Tencel in a green/rose colorway. This will be a lightweight, spring/summer Kiri shawl. One day.
From Brooks Farm, a skein of Primero in a yellow/orange/peach/pinkcolorway; I believe it's Coral Honeysuckle. This stuff is as lovely as everyone says it is!
From Carolina Homespun, 4 ounces of some merino/tussah roving in a Rose colorway (cream/peach/red/brown/black) and a lightweight poplar burl and walnut Shasta crafted by Cascade Spindle Company. I spied a Lendrum at their booth, but the staffers were overwhelmed and the line to buy was long, so I didn’t even bother. Their booth, and Webs', could have been managed better.
From a booth in the far back left was a huge mound of Manos del Uruguay Handspun Multi-Colored wool that everyone was pawing through. I looked through and found 2 skeins in #100 Agate, a pink/red colorway. This will make My So-Called Scarf.
My overall impression: it was a good experience. I got to handle a lot of different yarns not carried by my LYS, and see lots of different projects, from bags to lace. Ultimately it was worth the drive for a first experience, and now that I know what’s out there, I’ll have more confidence buying yarn online. I didn’t make the Bennigan's dinner because I hung out with my friend Amy, whom I haven’t seen in 9 months—we had so much to talk about—but I will make it to a meetup eventually! I have to include this sweater that Amy wore. It's a double-knitted mohair turtleneck that she bought from Anthropologie a while back. She got *so many* compliments from people thinking she had hand-knit it herself!
I completed my trip by visiting Art Fibers. There was a lot of yarn fondling...
In the end I got Harlequin ribbon in #4, a pink/purple/blue colorway for Mia and tussah silk Siam in #19 pink for Elizabeth. These are on their way to you, girls! For myself, tussah silk Chai in #11, a pink/rust colorway. No idea on what to knit with this, but it feels really good.
Reading: Last week I finished reading Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. Set in ancient Greece, it was around the battle at Thermopylae where 300 Spartans (and others) held back invading Persians until all Greeks united and fought back, thereby preserving the beginnings of Western civilization. Historical fiction is really interesting. The previous book, Dune: The Battle of Corrin was the last of the prequel series to Frank Herbert's Dune series. Now I'm halfway through The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon, recommended by Lauren. I would never have picked this book up if it weren't for her recommendation, and I haven't put it down yet. Thanks Lauren!
Wow, what a gorgeous haul! Beautiful yarns and looks like you had a lovely time too :-)
I love the pics and that Amelie jacket - maybe I should bone up on crochet skills. I'm glad you're enjoying Kavalier & Clay. I cried my eyes out (like your V-day card) towards the end.
Thanks for sharing the pics ! I wish I could go to the Stitches West too. I love to see all those yarn in gorgerous colour and the new designs. I am quite tempting by the Fiesta yarn. If I have a chance to go there, definietly I will empty my wallet for all those beautiful yarns ^^
Glad you had a fun time! You got some really nice stuff. Isn't Artfibers great? Lovely pictures, as usual. Hope you are staying dry down there!
Stitches West looks fabulous! I'd drive 7 hours to get there! Love the purchases - I'm intrigued by those White Lies Designs - might be one of those in my knitting future...
Funny. I got the same roving in the same colorway at Angora Cottage for $2 less than they were selling it at Carolina. Too bad you missed the dinner-along. It was a blast.
Now I know what is coming my way! I think I am going to have knit you a some rainwear. I love the pictures. I will have to read all the words after my eyes stop glazing over from the yummy photos.
MJ, I forgot to say that I loved the photo of the little sheep. Is he knitted?
What juicy eye candy - I can't stop drooling :D I have a local fibrefest to look forward to in about a month but it's certainly not going to be in the realm of stitches west. Thanks for the lovely review!