March 8, 2004
ThreadBear Road Trip
I love spring. As soon as the weather warms up, it seems like an invitation to bring more color back into my life. And there's no better way to bathe in color than to go visit Rob and Matt in Columbus.
More Color than You Can Shake A Stick At
It was definitely a whirlwind kind of day. We (Julie, Bonne Marie and I) left for ThreadBear around 10 AM CST and didn't return until about 3 AM CST. Once we got there it was hard to stop moving because there was just so much to see and so many wonderful people to talk to -- especially my old knitting buddy Judy who drove in from Cincinatti to meet us.
Once again, I should have taken more pictures (I took a total of 4, and never got a picture of Judy's incredible Alice Starmore Fair Isle, which I regret since it's a stunning accomplishment). But the great wall of Koigu Kersti and Rhumba is pretty representative of the color that is splashed all over the store. It's hard not to feel like a new season is in the air when you're surrounded by color and positive energy.
Matt, Helen, Julie and a Spinning Wheel
Towards the end of the afternoon, things started to slow down a little bit and I got a chance to work on a small sock project and learn a little about spinning. I don't think I am going to be picking up a new hobby any time soon, but there was something incredibly peaceful about watching Matt turn a roving into yarn. I also got a chance to talk to "Low Helen" about Manos -- she was involved in the color selection process for my Banff sweater. Thanks again, Helen, for helping to steer that sweater in the right color direction.
And speaking of Manos...I have my own version of "Monday Morning Mirth" today. I bet you didn't know that it was so multifunctional.
Bonne Marie Antoinette: Let Them Knit with Manos
Not only does it make excellent sweaters, you can also use it for French Revolution costuming.
After dinner we got a chance to just hang out at the table in the back and talk and knit. And then all of a sudden it was midnight. Time must just go by faster in Columbus!
Now, before you think that I left without doing a little stash enhancement...
From the left... Squiggle and a Katia ribbon yarn, Cascade 220 to felt with, America's Alpaca Suri Lace in "Raiku", Butterfly Super 10 and Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb in "Latte"
The only thing I had planned on getting for myself during this trip was the Butterfly Super 10 -- a mercerized cotton yarn that is destined to be the Polka Purl Dot top from the current IK. Its bright and its happy and I can't wait to swatch it up! The Cascade 220 is for testing out some spring felted bag ideas I have. The Suri Lace Weight Alpaca was an unexpected find that will be turned into a lacy cardigan sweater. Can you believe that there are 875 yards of yarn on each one of those skeins? Also in the category of unexpected finds was the Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb, a silk and wool blend. I loved the colorway when Rob introduced it on his blog, and was so disappointed to find out that it was too hard to reproduce for Lorna's to keep making it. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found a skein of Lion and Lamb in Latte.
And I think I have discovered the new "Pet Rock" for knitters... Crystal Palace Squiggle. I don't know whether to knit with it or just enjoy it as an objet d'art.
There was more, but it is destined for other knitter's needles, so I will let them reveal it if they so desire.
Needless to say, I'm very psyched to get knitting for spring. A big thanks to Rob and Matt for making our visit so wonderful!
I think that when the guys move into their new place I am going to have to take a road trip from Nashville to look around!! The talk of Koigu alone makes me drool!
Roadtrip to ThreadBear! Let's start the trip from San Diego and pick-up other knitters along the way. We might be on the road for months. Just think of all the yarn stops along the way. We'll need a trailer.
What a great whirlwind trip! Nice stash additions there. Maybe NEXT time you should just get a hotel for the night!
You will love Squiggle. It really works best when you have a bright color yarn to hold with it -- I found cotton seems to be best. Makes a wonderful, to die for scarf that always gets compliments.
Have fun
Glad you had such a great time - as if you wouldn't !
Fab stash enhancement.The Suri Alpaca is particularly gorgeous.I really look forward to seeing what you make with everything.
I knit Squiggle into a short scarf with some complimentary GGH Esprit. It makes for a super soft scarf that draws the compliments (and some funny looks).
It looks like you guys had a blast! I think Mariko has the right idea, you need to spend the night! Imagine all the damage you'd do with sleep.
I also love that Squiggle! I'll have to hunt some of that down...
Melissa -- I can't wait for Maryland Sheep and Wool. I'm going to drive my poor husband crazy if I pick up another hobby, tho!
Morgan -- And that's just the one wall. There's a second wall filled with every color of KPPPM...
Lacy -- I think we might need a semi-trailer! Of course, we could outfit it with a comfy sitting room and an espresso machine and windows and be very happy, I think!
Mariko & Silvia -- we're hoping next time Matt and Rob will have opened a B&B (just kidding guys). And I was so wired from fiber and dinner that I hardly noticed the time. I'm kind of a night owl anyway...
Pat, Sarah & Silvia -- I am looking forward to wearing my pet rock.. the blue ribbon yarn is going to be a carrier for the Squiggle.
Maybe I need to host a Squiggle-a-long!
Laugh all you want, but when we get the shop and the domain severed, there will be plenty of overnight space for visitors of the friend type.
Mwahahahahaha...........
Attending Maryland Sheep and Wool will further tempt you to take the spinning plunge, I predict! The Squiggle reminds me of my hair when I wake up in the morning! Sounds like a fun trip.