I’ve been working on my stamp collection again. Well, actually, I’ve created a whole new one that is much more humungous. I guess model railroading and saxophone playing weren’t taking enough of my time away from knitting. Sigh. So many UFOs. . ..

Back in the Seattle again!

Has it really been two years since I last wrote anything here?  Why, yes it has been!   Tomorrow is mine and Dani’s 5th anniversary of marriage, although in gay years we’ve been together 15 years.  (We counted when we met as our anniversary until marriage finally became an option.)  Anyway, days go slowly and years pass quickly and here we are.

My favorite lambkin, Paul, is with us this trip.  Well, his name is Michael but he also goes by Paul and I’m not sure what he’d want to be called in a blog post.

We’re having a great time.  We got to Seattle on the 25th of  August and spent last night, the 28th, in Victoria.  We’re staying downtown in Seattle again tonight before heading down to Dumas Bay for the retreat tomorrow.   But we’re not going down there until I get me some Ivar’s chowder!

Of course he had to make a comment about 95-yr old ladies but otherwise this was a great clip from down time at Jimmy Kimmel.

Knitter in the Audience

Ravelry lets us keep track of things.  So far the only thing I’ve been faithful about on Ravelry is keeping track of my books and patterns.  As of today the count is 3,914.  I guess that’s all I wanted to say about that.  Haha.

One thing I think I must make plain,

If you are driving in the rain,

Or if you’re learning ’bout sugar cane,

Perhaps you’re doing this in Spain,

And if you think you’ll go insane,

Then do the same as Auntie Jane,

They’re selling yarn just down the lane,

So go down there and buy a SKEIN!

I wrote this simple refrain to encourage everyone to remember that a title like “Skein of the Crime” is silly.  Perhaps something like “Skein Pain” or “Take the Last Skein from Clarksville” or “The Skein in Spain is spun mainly in the plain” would be fun little phrases.  But if you try to force me to see “skein” as “skeen” then I’m afraid I’ll hit you before I know what I’m doing.  It’s a reflex, you see.  I can’t help it.  It’s downright autonomic, it is.  “Skine” would make sense, etymologically, but “skane” is the proper pronunciation of this word in English and no amount of twisting it will convince me otherwise.  Don’t take this personally.  I do the same thing when people say, “I seen that!”  *shudder*

http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/5-reasons-knitting-is-good-for-you-11363936725035

Finally an article in the lay press that doesn’t make insulting comments like “knitting is back” or “knitting isn’t just for grandmas anymore!”  I hate when they do that.

This article mentions true benefits from knitting and cites sources.  Nice!

My latest TV show binge is The Blacklist with James Spader.  I must say however that this is one of those shows wherein knitting should be very simple and chartless.  There are a lot of action scenes and conversations that are crucial to the plot, so following a chart would be madness, I say, MADNESS!  So it’s good for my sock UFO termination plans. . . bwahahaha. Around and around in stockinette!  I can take it!

This year’s Knit and Crochet show was better than ever. A lot of people put a lot of work into it and it definitely paid off. There were really good classes for all skill levels. My friend, Linda, was able to find classes that suit her and she’s just beginning. All in all, it was another great success that really infused the attendees with energy and lots of yarny love. Thanks to all the people who put the show together and to the sponsors who helped make it happen! A special THANK YOU to Arenda Holladay, who tirelessly wound hundreds upon hundreds of mini-skeins for the TKGA yarn-tasting party.

Click on photos below to see a larger version:

Knitta – We are everywhere!

Steven Be models a great scarf while hosting the TKGA Yarn Tasting Party

Steven Be and Stephen West host the 1st TKGA Yarn Tasting Party

Knitters line up for free drinks at the TKGA Yarn Tasting Party

TKGA Yarn Tasting Party

Yarn Tasting Party decor

Yarn Tasting Entrée Table – Worsted were presented as entrées, DK as appetizers, and sock/lace as desserts

Yarn Tasting Party Kit – The first gift tasters received was a Chinese food container with a free pair of 2.75mm Chiaogoo needles and a menu.

Yarn Tasting Dessert Table

Great decorations at the TKGA Yarn Tasting Party. The fortune cookies contained knitting wisdom and quotes from great knitters.

Good crowd at the TKGA Yarn Tasting Party

Binka Schwan works the dessert table.

Serenity Zone at the Knit and Crochet show

Michael Sellick and Ken McCamish at the Knit and Crochet Show, Manchester, NH Mikey is a wonderful guy who loves his craft and the people who do it!

Ken McCamish crochets in public!

Diva Dan – Daniel Zondervan is a warm and wonderful guy! He makes everyone feel like he’s known them forever. Instant friend and a true promoter of yarny crafts.

Doris Chan shows off her Dr Who shirt. If you ever get the chance to meet in person, do! She’s a fun and engaging person.

Torn Between Two Steves – Stephen West and Steven Be on their whirlwind tour.