Heat Wave, Sock of the Day #6, New Road Sock

No kidding, it got above zero yesterday. Not only that, it was almost up to freezing, which makes the air temp nearly 60 degrees warmer than it was on Friday! We went for another walk on the creek, which popped and cracked rather alarmingly (ice always does that, but it's still disconcerting).

We found the main coyote den.

Proof

See? It was warm in the sun.

Sock of the Day #6

This is Pulled Taffy from Decadent Fibers. It's 55% Mohair, 45% Merino, and hand dyed beautifully (as are all yarns from the Decadent gals). It's listed as sportweight, but I knit it like a heavy fingering weight with my usual sock pattern. I think the colorway was Salsa, and the tones have faded just a bit in the last couple of years, but the yarn is holding up like iron.

The socks are toasty and and extremely comfy.

And since I finally finished the Koigu Mini Cables, I was able to cast on a new Road Sock.

This yarn is Kiddie Scoop Soft Serve, from CraftsMeow.  I picked up 4 coordinating mini skeins  (all greens) at the Sock Summit. I was intending to knit a pair of this style Mitered Square socks, adapting this pattern (knitting a plain foot in the round). But I realized that I needed some truly mindless knitting to offset the book work.

So plain bands it is, and they'll be very cute, I think. This yarn is soft and lovely, and I'm enjoying working with it on the few moments I can steal away from deadline stuff. I'm taking a short road trip today, so I'll probably get to the heel of this one by the time we get back home.

And speaking of Sock Summit- I am hearing through the grapevine that there will be another in Portland in '11. I am so there.

The Sock Club Week #4, and Sock of the Day #5

Mouse reports that the Sock Club didn't meet much in December because... duh... December. But they did meet

and Amy is ready to poke her eye out, but Wilda is helping her. Amy got heavier yarn and is going to start over. Given the amount of travel that I'm doing lately, I think I need to find a way to Portland so I can help Amy myself.

Sock of the Day #5 was a most happy accident.

Not that the yarn was dyed accidentally, but that I was dyeing with Frog Girl, and we accidentally stumbled on the method for producing self-patterning spirals, not that we knew that fact until after I knit the socks up. (And that, my friends, is the power of taking very good notes. If I had not written down exactly how the yarn was dyed, I would never have been able to replicate the process.)

Frog Girl dyed this particular yarn. The method, after a bit of modification, made it into The Big Book of Socks, and I've taught the process in class several times (including at SAFF and NCFF, whose page seems to be missing this morning).

I've worn these socks for years (holes were fixed pre-Sock Summit Darning Class, obviously) and it always makes Frog Girl smile proudly when I wear them (I didn't knit the yarn up for her because I do not give small children hand-wash socks. That's too much of a burden for the launderer). The yarn was Knit Picks original version of Merino fingering weight Bare, and the dye colors are still vibrant. And the stripes match!

Darn it all, and a BBoS preview

Thank you Merike Saarniit. I took your Darn It one-hour wonder class at the Sock Summit, and you did everything a good teacher should do: you engaged your students, you presented your information clearly and simply, you walked us through the process you were teaching (making us cut a hole in our swatches! Not snipping a thread, but cutting a big, gaping, ragged hole!), and you helped us to complete our assignment, making sure we all understood the process, within the class time-frame.

And better yet, I was able to use what you taught me outside of the class room. Last night, I sat down and repaired five pairs of handknit socks. Some of them had actual holes, others holes and thin spots, and others still, very thin spots that would become holes on the next wearing. I don't have an official darning egg, so I used a handblown glass paperweight from The Glass Eye (purchased a couple of years ago, on vacation at Cannon Beach) (http://www.glasseye.com/ ), which was a heavy, and spendy, darning egg, but it worked very well indeed.

First, I laid a foundation of stabilizing stitches around the hole vertically, as you taught me. Then I crossed the hole with individual strands, then I laid another foundation horizontally, and then I wove through the vertical strands to form new fabric, and then, Voila! No more hole!

I will wear my properly mended socks as a badge of honor. It's not that I am particularly frugal, but I am not about to toss handknit socks just because of a little hole (or even a big one). And it's not that I haven't fixed holes before, but my way of doing it was lumpy and ugly (note the previous lumpy repair in the heel of the pictured sock). There is a simple elegance in Merike's method.

After I finish fixing the holey socks, I'm going to go through my sock drawer and reinforce thinning heels and toes, as a preventative darning. It's actually sort of relaxing.

So again, thank you Merike Saarniit- my socks are grateful and so am I.

Speaking of socks, I am hearing reports that copies of The Big Book of Socks are being spotted in the wild! For those who haven't seen a copy in person yet, here's a preview of some socks from Chapter 6. These are Nordic Style socks, sized for adults, and children. I love love love how the photo came out (I love love love all of the photos in the book- Taunton did a marvelous job of putting it all together).

I'll post more pics from the book as the week goes on.

The Booty, and An Afterthought

Those are Anna Zilborg's feet, in socks she knit herself. If you ever have a chance to hear Anna Zilborg speak- do so.

It didn't seem like I bought that much... picking up skeins one or two at a time, spread out over four days. And truly, I didn't spend as much as I had allowed myself for yarn. But...

... that's a lot of yarn.

And check out those adorable glass stitch markers (a sheep, a frog, a ladybug, a bee, and a turtle), and the even adorabler wooden sheep bobbins from Girl On the Rocks.

Anyway, a (probably not last) thought about the Sock Summit:

Some of you know (or remember) that I used to write fiction. I used to go to Bouchercons, the World Mystery Conventions (which were very much like the Sock Summit, without all of the yarn. Or the knitting). The #1 Rule of Author Interaction at B'Con was: Do NOT Accost Famous People in The Bathroom.

I wanted, quite badly, to speak personally to Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. Mostly for Fangirl Reasons (I can gush with the best, or worst, of them), but also to thank her for all of the work that went into the Summit. I saw her frequently throughout the Summit, but each time, she was otherwise occupied- either she was onstage (and therefore off limits to one-on-one interaction), consulting seriously with Summit Staff, posing for pictures with other Fangirls (we are Legion), or hurrying somewhere with a distracted (and harried) look on her face. The only time I saw her, unharried, unstaged, unconsulted, and ungushed was a chance encounter in the bathroom, where I restrained myself (it took a heroic effort).

So, Stephanie, though we did not speak- I want to thank you (and Tina, whom I did thank in person, and all of the other staff and volunteers- each of whom I tried to thank personally) for the most wonderful weekend ever. I will always remember it.

So will my bank account.

SS09 Day 4- Genius is the sudden cessation of stupidity

So, it's over.

Today was a lower-key day than the previous 3. I had a 1-hour lecture on Turkish Stitches, given by Anna Zilborg, which was totally amazing. And beyond how wise and funny anna Zilborg is (the header is one of her quotes), something she said sparked a Lightbulb Moment for me- I think I know how to do Intarsia in the round (and make a Fair Isle pattern on the instep, while having a solid sole, and still do it in the round). I am very much looking forward to giving that a try when I get back home.

After lunch (and after The Marketplace closed- I bought a little more yarn. Are you surprised?), was The Luminary Panel, and the Closing Ceremonies. The Luminary Panel (Lucy Neatby, Cat Bordhi, Deborah Robson, Anna Zilborg, Priscilla Gibson Roberts, Meg Swanson, Barbara Walker, Judith Mackenzie-McCuin, and Nancy Bush), moderated by Tina Newton and Stephanie Pearl-McPhee was a hoot. And even hootier was sitting in a room with 1,500 knitters, all knitting. The ending was lovely, and teary-eye, and perfect.

I know I'll have a lot more to say about it all tomorrow, and in the next few days, but one thing that will definitely stick with me is Oregon's micro-management of flushing, as demonstrated by the instructions on every toilet in the Convention Center.

My flight is very early tomorrow (I have to leave for the airport at 5:00am), but we did take time to go out for dessert tonight at Papa Haydn's (http://www.papahaydn.com/ )... oh my.... oh my...

Anyway- there may be another Sock Summit (and I sure hope there is), but there will never be another First Sock Summit, and I am so lucky to have been here.

SS09-Day 3 what I forgot last night

Have I talked about the walking knitwear? Shawls, socks, sweaters, skirts, hats, wigs, and various clothing items whose origin and usefulness are whimsical and mysterious. So much beautiful handwork- it's everywhere. I get daily compliments on my socks. Yesterday, for the first time ever, I wore a shawl (the Harlot's Snowdrop). It was amazingly comfy and warm (no kidding- the convention center is cold), and it garnered a great many positive comments. I've made it a habit to stop total strangers (though no one here is a total stranger) and tell them how much I love their [insert knitted or crocheted item name here].

I have not yet worked up the courage to approach Stephanie. Not because I am shy (though amazingly enough, I do feel that way in her presence), but because every time I've spotted her in the wild, she looks very very busy. And tired. I really hope that she and Tina, and the rest of the amazing staff, are finding time to enjoy their wonderful creation.

And wonderful it has been- my only glitch has been not having BBoS in the official bookstore, which, given the tight timing, and the fact that I am not an actual teacher here, isn't surprising (and I had prepared myself for that eventuality). Otherwise, it has run smooth as butter.

Today is the last day, and I need to hit the shower. And maybe have a little more caffeine.

SS09 Day 3-Up for Liquid

Ho hum... another day in sock knitting paradise... knitters... shopping... famous people... new friends... old friends... classes... learning... spending... walking... spinning... knitting... laughing...

I know you'll all be disappointed in me, but I opted out of the Ravelry party tonight- I am just too tired to go anywhere, no matter how wonderful it will be (and I am certain that it will be very very wonderful). Besides which, I needed to do some laundry.

My classes today were so cool. Stephen Houghton taught assorted hems for socks. Now, I've done lots of hems on socks (and other projects), but- and here is an embarrassed confession- I've never learned how to do a chained provisional cast-on. I now know how to do that. Also a tubular cast on, and some other lovely hem treatments. Merike Saarnit took one hour to teach me (and a bunch of others) how to properly darn socks, and by cracky, it's an amazing, and super simple, process. I can now fix the dozen or so holey socks I have in a pile on top of the wardrobe in my bedroom.

I also toured the Museum of Socks, which will be a traveling exhibit of replicas of historical and famous/significant socks. It was fascinating. I hope to go back tomorrow and study the examples a bit more.

And, of course, I bought a little yarn. These are Koigu mill ends. That's right- mill ends. Chosen from a basket of hundreds of colors (all very cheap). These bits and pieces will eventually become a pair of Mitered Square socks for Jane, who has good naturedly ferried me back and forth from the Convention Center (a 20 minute commute one way- back and forth twice every day) for the Summit, not to mention feeding and housing me for the duration. She deserves more than a pair of socks for that heroic effort.

After a few days in Oregon, I am sort of getting the hang of the garbage system here. I applaud the state's dedication to recycling, but those of us who live in a non-recycle zone are a tad bit confused when we have to figure out if the detritus from lunch or Starbucks is compostable, recyclable, or just plain landfill fodder. Easier to figure out, but more amusingly unsettling are the multi-option toilets. Pull the handle up for *liquid*, and down for... well... other.... Since I am the oldest twelve year old in the universe, I giggle every time I flush.

So, tomorrow is the end of the Summit. I have one lecture in the morning (Ana Zilborg on Turkish Stitches), and then the Luminary Panel and ending ceremonies, where we have been promised cake. And though I really am done shopping, I harbor a faint hope that some of the vendors will discount steeply rather than pack up the leftovers to take home...

I'm ready for my own bed and I miss The Hubby (we've never been apart more than 3 days in 38 years), but damn... this is fun.

SS09-Day 2- What I forgot last night

Folks, I am no longer 36. I am not even 46. I am tired. Smiling, happy, excited... but tired. As much as I want to go to the Ravelry Party tonight, it's way across town, and I think I'll hunker down for a quiet evening. Besides which, I need to do some laundry.

Here's the yarn I bought yesterday- the little skeins will be future Mitered Square socks. The yarn itself is already put upstairs, so I don't remember the dyer, but I'll link to it later tonight.

I bought some handmade stitch markers (a sheep, a bee, a lady bug, a frog, and a turtle), and Girl on the Rocks makes these adorable sheepie yarn bobbins (link on the right).

Here's the Sock Hop sign (it was such fun- so many poodle skirts, neck scarves, cardigans buttoned up the back, leather jackets, and swirly dresses).

And I picked up the first 2 issues of Handknit Heroes (the knitting superhero comics) and got them signed by the author for Voracious Reader, who is also a budding graphic novelist.

well, it's time to hit the road. I'll check in later, if I can stay awake that long. I think I may need a caffeine IV (and I don't do caffeine).

SS09 Day 2- Do the Stroll With me

Day 2 at the Sock Summit was every bit as wonderful, busy, and exhausting as Day 1.

I started with a half hour at the Marketplace, where my friend Jane (who is not a knitter) was swayed to The Dark Side by a demo of needlefelting. She went home with a silk scarf, a brush, a set of needles, and a baggie of mohair locks. All part of our plan for World Dominance.

After that, I went to my Podcasting class, taught by Heather Ordover. She was a wonderful and funny teacher, and the subject is fascinating and technical and a little intimidating (it's not just talking into a microphone). I didn't get any pics, but I came away with the desire to record my horrid voice for you all to hear. Aren't you happy?

While the official Summit bookstore did not have copies of The Big Book of Socks, one of the vendors did have a few advance copies, which sold almost immediately. It was more than amazing to see them, in person, along the other sock and knitting books. Suddenly, it's *real*, and that's always a sobering moment.

I bought a Kundert spindle, and gold/green Merino/Tencel fiber from Girl on the Rocks (link on the right side of the page in Stash Enhancers- I love her stuff and have been buying from her for a long time and it was great to meet her in person). And some BFL in soft pinks and greens from Wool Candy. I did buy a little yarn (and I'm being honest here, it was just a little) but didn't get a pic. I'll take one tomorrow.

The big fun today was the Sock Hop, for which I actually dressed up (not a complex costume: denim capris, white button down shirt, saddle shoes, and a neck scarf). I also actually danced... somewhere deep in my subconscious, I pulled out the steps to The Stroll. Not only did I remember how to do it, I taught several others as well. Where the hell did that come from? I don't have a clue.

But I also got a pic of the Harlot doing the Hustle.

and one of me, with Jess and Casey... and if you know who they are, you know why I'm grinning like an idiot.

Tomorrow- more classes... more yarn... more shopping... more laughter...

SS09 Day 1- You Look Just Like you

I don't have a clue where to start- I'm so tired that when I was writing notes on which pictures to upload, I wrote "F" 3 times when I meant to write "5".

Today was amazing. It was more than amazing- it was flat out OMFG amazing. I saw famous people (The Harlot! squeeeeeeeee!!!!!). I met Tina Newton (!!!!). I met new people who became instant best friends. I hung out with the coolest bunch of knitters on the face of the earth, and I didn't have to explain, even once, what the big deal was about socks. I walked around with a huge ass grin in my face all day long. I wore my Orion's socks and my feet weren't too hot, and people stared at my feet and everyone else's and no one thought it was weird. I wore my knitting-needles-through-the-head headband much of the day (if the crowds were thin- I was leery of poking out an eye. Or a nose, since I'm short) and not only did no one think it was odd, more than a dozen people recognized me simply because of the needles. In fact, the most common comment was, "Oh I know who you are. You look just like you!" (that, my friends, is the power of Ravelry). Speaking of Ravelry, I saw Jess and Casey (more squeeee!) And I met Joan Schrouder. And RoseKim (from RoseKim Knits). After a morning of thinking that no books had made it to the Summit, I learned that The Big Book of Socks was, indeed, available, though I may not have an official place with the signers tomorrow (due to the fact that no one thought the books were actually there)(if not, I'll hang around the area and sign anything anyone wants me to sign, including small children).

I learned how to crochet socks, turning heels, and making cables- all facinating. Our teacher, Karen Ratto-Whooley was great. That's her in the pic.

I love the swag, including a summit beer glass and a fantastic hoodie. I bought a Summit bag at the market place.

Ooooohhhhh- have I mentioned the market place????? I cannot begin to describe what it is like to be in the middle of 150 vendors, all with such stunningly beautiful wares (the pic shows but a small corner). I bought a bit of yarn already- 2 hanks from Shelridge Farm in Canada (wool/nylon, 185 yds, gold/green/brown), a Crown Mountain Farms Aris-superwash wool/nylon in peach/red/charcoal, a Crown Mountain Farms Apollo wool/bamboo/nylon in peach/silver gray/rust, and self striping watermelon yarn from Lisa Souza.

There is more, so much more, but I'm about to drop. The day was wonderful, the opening ceremony was funny and touching and amazing. And all day, knitters. Hundreds and thousands of knitters. Sock knitters... wow... And I get to do it all again tomorrow.

p.s. Every time I put the headband on, 14 people snapped my picture. I expect I'll find myself all over The Interwebs tomorrow.

Pre Summit- Day 1

I'm not taking the computer with me so I won't update until after the opening ceremony tonight. I'll take tons of pictures though, and I'll do my best to Kinnear The Harlot.


I am soooooo excited...

Yarn and Salt

I spent today with Kris and Jane, shopping and eating. Actually I ran this morning, as well- at Waterfront Park, down on the Willamette River. It was cool and cloudy and perfect for a jog. I surely did not work off all of last night's culinary excesses, but I did get a start.

We ate lunch at a pizza place (can't remember the name), where I had a fresh mozarella/tomato/basil panini, and later had a microbrew at Amnesia Brewing (Desolation IPA- pretty good).

After lunch, we stopped at The Meadow, where we tasted and bought more salts. This time I got Jurassic Ocean (which wasn't majorly distinctive in taste, though it was very good. I just liked the name and the biggish chunks), Andes Mountain Rose, and Maboroshi Plum (both very light salts, and the Plum, very finely ground, like a popcorn salt), and a sampler of little tins as souvenirs for the folks back home.

And then we went to Yarnia PDX ( http://www.yarniapdx.com/virtualshop/ ), an amazing store, where you choose individual strands for your yarn from hundreds of cones (all fibers and blends, including sparkle strands), which they wind together for you on a cone. I chose 2 pre-wound cones (the peach sparkle, and the earth tones), and then selected wool, bamboo, and sparkle strands in greens, icy blues, and yellow for a unique blend. There is enough yarn in each cone for a pair of socks, and each ran $8-10, which is an undisputed bargain. Just watching the yarn wind is fascinating enough, but I get to knit with it too (I do wonder how splitty it will be- I'll just have to knit carefully).

Tonight, we're grilling salmon, and tomorrow, the Summit begins. I don't know if I'll take the computer with me or not (I have to on Friday for my podcasting class). We'll see how it goes. I may or may not have time to update during the day, but I will definitely take pics and post in the evening, if not before.

p.s. the weather is glorious- it may be 80 degrees, but the cool breeze and lack of humidity make it absolutely perfect

PDX

Things I forgot about Flying:
#1. It's one of the few activities where having short legs is an advantage.
#2. The puddle jumper planes are very small.
#3. The puddle jumper planes are very loud
#4. Once I get into the air, I remember that I'm not afraid to fly.
#5. That this country is pretty amazing.
#6. And huge

I had 2 totally uneventful flights. The hostess on the first leg (Aberdeen to Minneapolis) actually recognized the mini sock I had pinned to my shirt as a symbol of the Sock Summit (she didn't remember the name, but "oh yeah, that sock... thing" was good enough for me).

It was really amazing to watch countryside that I traveled past 2 weeks ago, zip past in 6 hours. I didn't get many pics because there was some cloud cover, but South Dakota is amazingly green.

I worked mostly steadily on the Plane Sock (koigu, baby cables, my own design), but I also was wise and slept as much as possible, since I was awake at 3:30 am yesterday. My seatmates on the MPLS/PDX run came from different places, but both barely made their connecting flights. Both also talked about nothing else, and I do mean nothing else, for the entire 3 hour flight...

Portland is as beautiful as it was 2 weeks ago, and not nearly as hot as it was last week. It was a lovely 78 degrees whenI deplaned, and the evening was balmy and lovely. Kris, Jane and I (BFF for over 40 years, plus one other who couldn't make it last night but we'll see her tonight)(and yes, I saw them all 2 weeks ago, but that was Family Time. This is Girlfriend Time), ate at Jakes (link in a post a couple of days ago), and OMIGOD!!!!! Best. Food. Ever. I won't try to describe how any of it tasted but Kris had halibut stuffed with crab, Jane had sauteed crab legs and artichokes, I had a mix of halibut, salmon and crab/shrimp cake. It was massive, and everything was a taste bonanza. We didn't leave room for dessert, but we ate it anyway- sharing walnut apple pie (best I've ever tasted) and marionberry cobbler (ditto) with local ice cream (!). Oh yeah, and a bottle of Chehalem Pinot Gris. It's going to take a week to run this meal off, and it was worth it.

After supper, we wandered the streets of downtown Portland for awhile, landing at Powell's City of Books for an hour. Then we got back to the hotel (The Mark Spenser) and collapsed. Today, we shop (more salt store), yarn, and schmooze.

Tomorrow, I Summit!

Last minute

Suitcase?
Purse?
Homework?
Flight Itinerary?
Class registration numbers?
Driver's License?
Credit and ATM cards?
Cash?
Toiletries of the proper amounts in the right size bag?
Book?
Knitting?
Sanity?

Check. Check. checkcheckcheckcheckcheckcheckcheckcheckcheck.
11 out of 12 ain't bad.
Let the adventure begin!

Off we go...

I'm up early- I don't fly often, so though I enjoy it, it's still the sort of activity that interferes with my usual sleep patterns. I'll check in whenever I can (maybe from the Minneapolis/St Paul airport- it will probably be wifi-ed up the ying yang), and I'll certainly send many reports from The Summit.

In the meantime, here's where I'm eating supper tonight: http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/locations/portland-oregon/portland-oregon/sw12thave.aspx

Go ahead, envy me.

Did I ever tell you about the time

...a few years back, when I flew to Burbank to tape two episodes for the HGTV show Smart Solutions (since canceled, I think), and I was so worried about getting my knitting on the plane, that I didn't pack anything else in my carry on except my purse, so when I got to CA, I had my knitting with me, and the suitcase with all of my supplies for the shows was there (thank goodness), but the one with my clothes, toiletries, makeup, hairbrush, and etc, wasn't?

I had to buy all new clothes (2 sets for each segment, and the rules for which clothes are acceptable for TV are long and complex), toiletries, makeup, hairbrush and etc because the case didn't arrive before my scheduled taping (6 hours of nerve wracking work for 15 total minutes of air time), though it was waiting for me when I got back to the hotel, after I didn't need them any more (well, I suppose I did need them, just not quite as badly as I did before I went on camera for a nationally televised show).

Tomorrow, when I fly out for a little prelim Girlfriend Time before The Summit, I'm still making sure that my knitting is in my carry on bag. But I'm also taking with me (as in: it's not leaving my person throughout) the allowed quart-size zip lock with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, bath gel, hair spray, toothpaste, and toothbrush, as well as a radically reduced makeup kit (I hardly ever wear it, but I expect I'll make an exception for the Summit), and an extra pair of undies, for just in case.

Lose my suitcase with all of my toiletries once, shame on you. Lose my suitcase with all of my toiletries twice, and I won't have time to be shamed because I'll be too busy having a breakdown.

Countdown to the Summit

The days are ticking off, and since I'll be arriving in Portland a couple of days early for some Serious Girlfriend Time, I've already started to pack and organize. My Summit homework is done, my plane knitting is ready (the Koigu cable socks), my book for just in case they confiscate my wooden needles (The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan, with whom I shared a panel at a mystery convention a few years ago. He was doing just fine with adult mysteries then- he's doing pretty well now with the YAs...)(that's an understatement, btw). I started reading the book with Voracious Reader, who took it with her when she moved to SoCa, and I want to know how it comes out. I'll have to buy all 5 books for that, I think. And see the movie.

I've finished 4 pairs of Sock Summit Socks- one new pair to wear each day, though it will likely be far too hot for socks of any kind. If nothing else, I'll cart them around with me to show off (if there ever was a place for whipping socks out for others to ooh and aah over, this is it). The teeny sock is made from handspun, and I'll pin it to my shirt, as a sort of Ravelry shout-out. I don't expect to see anyone on the Minneapolis to PDX leg wearing one since I'm arriving early, but once I get to Portland, I bet they'll pop up everywhere.

I am so excited that I can hardly stand it. 3 days from now, I'll be back in Oregon. And this time, I am going to buy yarn. woohoo!

Sock and Awe, More Lessons

Yesterday was registration day for the Sock Summit. I knew it was going to be a feeding frenzy. The amazing organizers knew it was going to be a feeding frenzy. The amazing organizers told the IT people that it was going to be a feeding frenzy. It was a feeding frenzy. Unfortunately, the IT people did not believe in the power of sock knitters, and registration turned into an exercize in stress and frustration and many bad words as the site continually crashed, stalled, and otherwise foiled knitters' attempts to sign up for classes (on my first attempt, my 15 minute window for class-holds was down to 18 seconds as I hit the enter button with my credit card number when the whole thing froze and I lost it all). But I persevered, and waited a bit, and muttered bad words (directed at the IT people, not the organizers, who did everything in their power to see that this would not happen), and tried again. And again. And again. And finally, got through.

I had modest expectations for my Summit classes. I knew that there were many more people who wanted to go, than could possibly fit. And I knew that classes taught by the most famous names were going to disappear instantly. So I prepared my wish list from classes that featured techniques that I did not already know, wanted to learn, or needed help with, paying no attention to the teacher's names. My flight was booked already, and I was going, whether I had classes or not, so the class roster wasn't a life or death thing for me anyway. And still, it was traumatic. Luckily, from my first choices, I got 5 of the classes I wanted (including the podcasting class, which was at the absolute top of my list), and one of the other classes was my 2nd choice. I am delighted.

So, Sock Summit Thursday, I'll be taking: Basic Crochet Socks in the morning, and Cabled Crochet Socks in the afternoon (both first choices). Friday Morning will be Podcasting for Amateurs (be afraid), Friday afternoon is the booksinging, where The Big Book of Socks will hopefully debut, Saturday morning it's Hip Hems for Him and Her (a 2nd choice but it looks like great fun), in the afternoon it's 2-1 hour classes: Darn It, and Grafted Bind Off for 1x1 Rib. On Sunday, I signed up for Turkish Stitches, a 1 hour class that is a total mystery to me, but it should be interesting. I also snagged tickets for the Sock Hop, the Opening Night Banquet and the Luminary Panel.

I am totally happy with this schedule, and beyond excited to attend.

____

I finished the Whatever Quilt and I love it. And I learned even more things:

#1. Premeditated snark is sometimes a wasted effort because invisible thread actually is

#2. To the extent that you can sew another 6" before realizing that the bobbin thread ran out

#3. Invisible thread is as fine as a spiderweb, and as strong as steel.

#4. I love invisible thread.

And I learned something from making the Christmas Theme table runner (fabric from Moda's Frosted Memories line) from the On A Roll book:

#1. Slow the hell down. Amazing how my corners meet when I'm not trying to run a race.

#2. See above.

___

p.s. I miss American Idol...