So, this knitting thing is catching on?
This was the question put to me by my co-worker yesterday, when he heard how i'd spent my weekend. And what a weekend it was.
Catrin arrived from Stockholm on Thursday night, at the end of what had been a pretty intense week for me. (In summary, the baby is a boy, and I have been made redundant. One of these things rocks, the other not so much)
Friday, we did necessary things like trying on silly hats and lusting after lipstick - in the rain- before heading home to change for dinner.
Dinner was a Ravelry event, which I had randomly suggested as a way for out-of-towners to spend an evening with other knitters. Funny thing is, meeting new people makes me incredibly nervous, but if I have a role, then I'm fine.
10 people showed up, and it was a lot of fun. Cassandra, Gail, Lisa, Hailey, Kayla, Sarah, Catrin, Suzanne and Sandy are all excellent people to spend a rainy Friday night with!
Saturday was the big day itself, I Knit Day 2008. We woke up excited, got more giddy and almost peaked when the Ravelry badges turned up in time.
I know that Craig, Gerard and their fantastic band of helpers are amazing at organising events, but it was a sight indeed to see that word had spread enough that we had to queue for 20 minutes to even get into the venue.
Once inside, I realised just how many people I've met through knitting, as the whole day was a whirl of hellos, hugs and "oh my, look at your bump".
There may have been some squealing when I saw the Easy Knits stall, but dammit, that man knows a good colour combination.
It was a lot of fun to flit between stalls, hang out with Howard at the Pom Pom International table, and meet old and new friends, but soon it was time to get in line for the main event - Stephanie Pearl McPhee.
She was hilarious.
I had tears streaming down my face, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one to ponder the practicalities of actually putting on a McGyver Arts Retreat.
Back across the road fort he book signing and more shopping. I'd already decided to skip the former, as standing for long periods isn't great right now, but there was a common-sense rule that those who needed to come to the front of the queue could do so, and all was well.
By the time we got home, via the local Indian place, we were dead, but incredibly happy.
Next time, the haul...
posted by The Gadabouts @ 9:04 am
6 Comments:
It was great to meet you!
Susanne
Just wanted to say hello, I was on the easyknits stand with Jon (mr easyknits)
A boy!! Oh, wonderful news! As much as I love my daughter, I'm very glad that I made brothers for her first. Boys are wonderful :D
Glad you enjoyed SPM's talk, I desperately wanted to go but the travel involved was just prohibitive for me.
Oh, I haven't told my workmates how I spent my weekend. I've tried telling them about the weekly knit nights, but they still don't get it. It's so nice to share the event with people who understand!
Wow, a boy! Now the fun begins when you can start "trying out" names.
Isn't the Harlot fantastic? It's why I go whenever she's within driving distance.
Can't wait to see the haul.
Hi Claire, saw you across the room at IKL Day, but just didn't catch up with you. Congrats about the baby, you're due about the same time as our number 1 daughter, who's also having a boy. Number 2 daughter (Ann) asked me to check if you'd ever received the CD with her "Knitting in London" item on it. If not she should be able to send it again, Craig & Gerard's got lost and she hoped yours hadn't.
Christine (occasional Knitflicks attendee)
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