Sock Summit here we come! For weeks planning and packing has been going on here. Like most people when we first heard of such a thing as a Sock Summit we had no idea how fast and furious the event would mushroom. We had a hint when we heard about the servers crashing from all the thousands of knitters who wanted one of the 4000 class spots.
Trying to tell non-knitters that we think this may well be the Woodstock event for knitters—one people who are going, and those who aren’t, will be talking about for years—is not easy. I told one person it would be like going to a baseball fantasy camp with all the best current players available to teach you.
We know many of our customers are going and we are looking forward to seeing some of our favorites like Marie from Rhode Island and meeting people in person whom we have only met online. Daniella and Laura and I hope you will come by if you are in Portland. Booth #301
We have big news for those of you going: We have come to know Kate Atherley who is a fabulous designer, teacher and blogger, and also the Technical Editor for Socks for Knitty.com. We came to meet her when her dear husband bought some of our needles for her. You may know her from her Wise Hilda blog or have been lucky enough to take a class from her. She will be with us in the booth so you can meet her. As a special surprise she has designed a Signature sock pattern which she will be giving away.
And speaking of designers, we will have the wonderful Regatta sock pattern designed by the fabulous Anne Hanson of Knitspot in a kit with our Signature yarns from Lorna’s Laces and the needles you will need. We have loved working with her and to show how fabulous she is –she is one of the Sock Summit teachers. I don’t have to say anything more about HER credentials and this will be our chance to meet her in person too. The teachers at Sock Summit really are the “All Stars” of knitting.
This past weekend we took a break and went to our beautiful lakefront. The day was perfect and the whole family turned up to visit the Pike River Rendevous. The Travel Wisconsin site describes this way:
Step back in time when Native Americans and fur traders gathered to exchange goods and services and to celebrate. Re-enactors will be encamped on Simmons Island. Talk with them about what life was like during the fur-trading era. See craft and trades demonstrations throughout the camp.
Of course I wanted to talk to the folks who were dying and spinning yarn. These are people in completely accurate dress for the period (although I wondered if they work modern underwear) and cook and camp as if it were the late 1700’s. Wow, and people think knitters are “different”. Once again, people are passionate about their hobbies, spend money and time on them, and love them.
Which actually takes me back to the Sock Summit. I wonder if the reenactors would be rolling their eyes if they heard about thousands of people traveling thousands of miles just to be around sock knitting?
You can follow us on our Sock Summit adventure on @Signatureneedle
February 25th, 2010 at 4:17 am
Excellent ideas here, have emailed my mum so expect a big reply!!