What is a person to do with all this technology?

I loves me some new technology. Shiny is good. And I have fallen for Twitter in a huge way. Writing a blog post can take an hour, depending on how much info I need to share. Writing a Tweet [a single twitter post, no longer than 140 characters] takes less than a minute, if even that. Perfect for short-attention-span girl. And perfect for communicating silly things and even important things quickly.

It's getting so that Twitter will spread news faster than the conventional news media does. It's an amazing thing to be witnessing, the birth of this new medium of communication.

Anyway, I'm *not* abandoning the blog; not at all. But I am blogging less frequently. So in order to provide ongoing evidence that I am still alive -- and to share little tidbits of news, some Knitty-related and some not -- I've added a Twitter feed to the right sidebar. It's under the little blue birdie icon. It'll show the last three things I've posted.

Big stuff and the WWW will continue to appear on the blog. And should I feel all expository, there will be actual real blog posts. I just didn't want to leave anyone wondering.

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While I'm here, a few things of interest:

- I'm going to be at the Maryland Sheep & Wool festival for the first time ever [!] this weekend, and I hope to see you there! I'll be toting shwag [new buttons!] and if you are too shy to ask, just don't be. Come up and say hi. That's why I'm there! My homebase for the weekend will be Jennie the Potter's booth, so if you really need a button fix, that's where to hang out.

- I'm also going to be doing some cool pre-festival stuff at Lovelyarns. I've got my own button on their front page! [giggle] Anyway, I haven't been out that way since 2004 [!], so if you'd like to hear my No Sheep lecture and ask questions -- about No Sheep stuff or anything else Knittyish, please come and fill the auditorium! Details are on the Lovelyarns site. And if you'd like any books signed, just bring them with. I'll be glad to pull out the sharpie after the lecture.

- On the needles, because people like to know, is a chemo cap for a friend's mom who's just started radiation. I found this pattern and the mom in question liked it a lot. As I swatched, though, I couldn't imagine having garter stitch against a sensitive scalp, so I switched to stockinette and matched the gauge. It's a great pattern and swaps easily into stockinette, and worn with the smooth side in, it'll look quite similar to the picture anyway. And I'm knitting it in a variegated colorway of Fixation, so I don't even have to change colors. Knitting chemo caps is such a bittersweet thing to do. I'm sure we'd all love never to have to knit another one, but being able to help in a small way is a good thing.

- I'm also going to cast on another sweater. Another Liesl, this time with the higher neck and in a totally different yarn. Liesl is the sweater I find most flattering on my body and the one I never hesitate to reach for. So I should have another. I was going to use the Mission Falls cotton I have stashed, but a morning newsletter from Lettuce Knit suggested Rowan Summer Tweed for the sweater, and that's a brilliant idea. In fact, I have a sweater's worth in Brilliant [a super-sexy deep pink] and am going to cast on as soon as the chemo cap is done.

Okay, I've got prep to do for the trip, so I'll sign off. See you soon!

Attention Arizona fiber friends!

This has been so long in coming [we started planning last summer] that it's hitting me as surreal...but in 2 weeks, I'm going to be teaching in Tucson!

Why did we choose February? Because that's the month when Northerners feel most comfortable. I almost melted in the blast-furnace beauty of Albuquerque in June a few years ago, so I have learned my lesson. :-) Temperature this week: 75F. Heaven.

I'll be teaching loads of classes at Purls Tucson, hanging with Old Pueblo Knitters, spinners and weavers, and it's all going to be a crazy blur of a week.

There are more events listed in the schedule of the Tucson Handweavers and Spinners Guild, including the No Sheep lecture, the booksigning at Purls Tucson, and a Spin-In [!] at Kiwi Knitting Company.

I'm really excited! I also get to spend time with my friend Heather and her family, which is a significant bonus.

If you've wanted to take any of my classes and are in driving distance of Tucson, now's a good time to sign up! I can't wait to meet y'all!

---

Boy, do I need a pedicure.

if you are a US citizen, you have only one thing to do today.

and it's not knitting*.


It's not just your right to vote, it's your responsibility as a citizen of the United States. Drop me a comment when you're done and I will give you a yay out loud in the Knitty offices!

I voted absentee in September. Now it's just the waiting.

*in case there's a line up at your polling station, you should totally bring your knitting. I would!

Rhinebeck 2008 encapsulates the glory of fall.

I've been to Rhinebeck three times now, and this year was the first that really felt like fall. Brilliant fall colors and a significant chill in the air. In fact, I was so programmed by previous visits where knitwear = shvitz that I underpacked and missed two great silk sweater days. Yes, it was that cold.

For those who'd rather look than read, the full photostream is here. For the rest of you, a brief walking tour.


I met many new-to-me Knitty and Knittyspin readers this trip. This group of glowingly happy women were just the first 3 out of a whole group of them. Happy friends getting to hang together. That's what Rhinebeck means to me. [That sounded like the title of a grade 5 essay, didn't it? Sorry.]


My friend Jennie the Potter -- that's her on the right -- made her first professional appearance at Rhinebeck this year and her booth was continually full of jaw-dropped fiber freaks.


Watch for more on Jennie's newest offerings in the winter issue of Knitty.


I finally got to meet Lynne Vogel, who was as fun as this picture suggests.


Of course, I got to hang with Jillian [far right] and Carla [far left], as well as the bonus hanging with Kay and Ann [and Ann's friend Kelly] as we lined up and lunched on chicken pot pies.


Not all girls, though! Stephen, Franklin [sometimes] and Sean were Scout's unofficial posse as she made her way through her first Rhinebeck, which means I got to see a lot of them.

My pictures are pretty lame when it comes to capturing most of my friends, though. Like where are pictures of me and Scout? Me and anyone, for that matter? For some reason, I was living the fun, not thinking about blogging it. I guess that's not so bad, but it doesn't make for a very electrifying blog post. :-)

Speaking of Scout, she picked me up at the Newark airport and we got to drive to Rhinebeck and back together. It was so good to have a little time with her, since she lives so danged far away, and we laughed a lot. We also found the best pickle [sour new dill] on Route 17 in New Jersey. I will be dreaming of that pickle for a long time.

I didn't make it to any big meetups or the Rav party. I was feeling a little insular and wanted to be with a smaller group of friends this time. I still got to meet tons of people as I walked all through the grounds, and that was great!

Every single button and sticker was passed out to Knitty fans and a lot of you guys were much less shy than you've been in the past. Rock on! You know, you never have to apologize for coming up to say hi or that you like Knitty. That's the nicest thing I can ever hear. And I heard it a lot this weekend. So thank you to each and every person who took the time to poke me on the shoulder and grin at me. I send you all hugs.

---

There are two more Rhinebeck posts coming. Stay tuned!

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Anyone notice anything different about the blog?

are you going to one of Neil Gaiman's upcoming signings? and more about all sorts of yarn!

He's not coming anywhere near Canada, but he IS going all over the US and onwards. Does anyone who reads this blog plan on going and getting an autographed copy of the new Graveyard Book? If so, would it be possible for you to buy a copy of his book for me and have it signed, too? Of course I'll pay the cost of the book, postage and I'll send you some beauty yarn as a thank you.

For those who love Neil, but didn't know about the tour, here is a post with all the dates/times/locations:

Neil Gaiman's Journal: The Graveyard Book Tour

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We are just a few days away from the next Yarn Roundtable and we have a few spaces left. If you're going to be in Toronto this Thursday night, we'd love to have you join us! Visit the Yarn Roundtable blog and leave a comment to the September post to RSVP.

I have heard rumors about a home-baked chocolate cake making an appearance. It would be criminal to miss it.

Wanna get your mitts on some yarn?

There's no better way than to attend one of our Knitty Yarn Roundtable Nights! I've just announced the next cycle of openings -- September, October and November. You can RSVP for one of the events in the cycle...this is the fairest way to give everyone a chance to play. Instructions on how to RSVP are on the Yarn Roundtable blog.

Did you know:
- Everyone gets to knit all 5 yarns at each event
- Many of these yarns will be new to you, some will be old friends
- The Purple Purl -- our hosts -- makes great coffee, tea and has amazing baked goods.
- Everyone goes home with a little something...and sometimes a big something. There are always door prizes at Knitty events, you know!
- It doesn't matter where you live; if you can get to Toronto for the event, we would love to have you! We've had guests from all over the US and Canada!

Wanna see the results of previous Yarn Roundtable nights? Peek here and here!

brunettes, not fighter jets!

In honor of this, and with much trepidation and also the strapping on of some very large balls, I present my online ukulele debut.

Groupies may apply to peoplewithverylowstandards@knitty.com



This song is not in my key vocally [I'm sort of high-alto], but I could play all the chords, so I left it as it was. And the reason I decided to put the video up despite all common sense is that I'm quite proud of my uke playing after just over a week of practise. The singing-along is a necessary evil.

All other knitter/ukulele players, raise your hands! Bring your ukes to stitch nights! Amuse your fellow knitters, and have everyone sing along! I'll be bringing mine to Rhinebeck and encourage all of you who are coming to do the same!

Seriously, though. I just sang for you on teh interwebs. If you're in Toronto tomorrow night, you'd better come out and represent for the knitters when I throw out the first pitch. No coming in late. I will likely never be on the pitcher's mound in a huge stadium again in my lifetime. You don't want to miss that, do you?

you can't take me out anywhere, but someone's gonna try.

hub brought me this last night as a little present.

a pink baseball.

for what reason?

why?

i guess it's well-known enough that i am fond of pink, but that's not the main reason.

it's a baseball, after all. what is it doing in my house?

perhaps a closeup might make its purpose more apparent:


dudes. i'm gonna throw out the first pitch at the Toronto Stitch & Pitch game on August 5th.

i am simultaneously thrilled, horrified, terrified, excited and a little giddy. the baseball is in our house because i don't just throw like the stereotypical girl. i throw like a 4-year-old girl. hub says we're gonna train before it's time for me to stand on the pitcher's mound in the middle of SkyDome the stadium in front of, like, lots of people, and try [desperately] to at least get the ball as far as the catcher.

meanwhile, my friend Dawn tells me this Training ball is the same type of ball 5-year-olds use to play t-ball. and i bet they can all throw the ball better than i can.

---

garden update!

so the fence was in when i last wrote about our troubled backyard.

last fall, we planted two apple trees and lots of shrubs in the border to begin filling it out.


well, the lawn is scraggly and there are tons of weeds, but there is also a brand new raised bed! we bought a raised bed kit from Lee Valley Tools, and i searched out patio stones that weren't butt-ugly for the sidewalls. these look like slate. hub built the thing with great care, ensuring there was anti-weed cloth under the box and sifting the soil to get out as much of the wild violet roots as possible.


foody things are now growing in there! we transplanted the tomato, and planted arugula, parsley and endive seeds for the buns -- everything but the parsely sprouted in 2 days! we're too late in the season for much else, but i will go seek out some overgrown seedlings at the garden centers that are still open around here.

It's time to party!

Okay. So the Knitter's Frolic is in two days. Saturday, if you knit and you're in Toronto, you're likely going to be there. It ends at 4pm. What will you do with yourself afterwards?

Why, you're going to offload your new goodies, have a little dinner and then come down to Lettuce Knit to celebrate with us! [70 Nassau Street in Kensington Market]

Yes, the More Big Girl Knits book launch party is this Saturday at 7pm.

We will have cupcakes from Life Is Sweet [come early. they'll go fast.]
We will have a ton of door prizes.
We will have JILLIAN in person for the first time in Toronto in ages.
We will have a live Irish all-woman band playing us into the evening [we <3 the Polka Dots!]
We will have all the garments from the book for you to try on and feel great in!

And much more. Denny has promised, if we get her drunk enough, to do a nice jig.

Shannon Okey will be there. Oh, yeah -- I'll be there, too.

Please come!

And since we've spent nearly every penny of our advance actually producing the book and what was left on the cupcakes, we hope you will BYOB. Thank you.

Bring your knitting! Wear a sweater [it will get cool when the sun goes down and you won't want to go home that early]! Bring a folding chair if you feel like it!

See you Saturday!

p.s. Yup, I was on BT again this morning. When I can get my laptop to talk to the Tivo, I'll get the clip up. Wait till you see the kickass models I found for the sweaters this time!

um, wow.

This is Tracey. This picture pretty much sums up yesterday's launch party at Threadbear. People walked in as normal folks, tried on sweaters, and turned into coquettish vixens of Big Girl bounty and beauty. Click on Tracey's name above to read her account of the afternoon. She's not on our publisher's payroll, promise.

It really was a beautiful thing to see everyone stripping in the middle of a yarn store [down to t-shirts, people -- there was no nudity :-) ] and trying on all the sweaters from the book. Some were quiet. Some were squee-machines. All were smiling at one point during the day [for some, it was ALL DAY]. Here, look:



And here is Jillian, getting a huge, long hug from a knitter [I'm sorry I don't remember your name!] who tried on Cable Love, walked right over to J and thanked her for making her feel beautiful. We all welled up. It was a seriously beautiful moment, and she DID look super fabulous, too. So many smiles. So many women surprised at how they could look in a sweater that was designed to fit them and flatter their figure.

We laughed, we gave advice, we picked colors, and then picked new ones because the selection was so big it was hard to choose! We ate cupcakes without apology. We had an absolutely fabulous day.

Thank you to Rob and Matt, our beloved Threadbear boys. They give the best hugs, and the cupcakes were MORE than promised. We wanted to eat one of each flavor, but managed to top out at 2 or 3. We gave out new Big Girl and Knitty buttons and we mostly laughed until our sides were sore. More pictures can be found on my Flickr, but I leave you with this:



We're going to try to do it all again in two weeks at Lettuce Knit. Will you be there?

where i am...

This candid picture shows your intrepid Knitty editor and Knittyspin editor/catalyst in the midst of their quarterly staff meeting. Not pictured are intrepid ad manager, Steph, and intrepid technical editor, Mandy, who are linked in on a Skype conference call from various locations across the Canadian border.

Not kidding. This issue's Knitty meeting took place under Jillian's dining room table. A very time and cost-effective meeting, as always, plus it's extra fun to work in a fort! What would we do without Skype? What would I do without Jillian?

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Today is the launch party for More Big Girl Knits, v1.0 at Threadbear. We start at 1pm and need to be home for dinner, so come early, try on the garments from the book and eat cupcakes with us!

Crazy go nuts day!

I can think of no better way to celebrate Harlot day in Toronto than by buying her book AND ours, which was just released this very day. Even.

Don't forget -- we're having launch parties in TWO CITIES for More Big Girl Knits, and everyone is invited.

More Big Girl Knits launch party, v 1.0
location: Threadbear Fiber Arts, East Lansing, MI
date: April 13th, 1pm
the boys know how to throw a big party and we can't wait!

More Big Girl Knits launch party v 1.1
location: Lettuce Knit, Toronto, ON
date: April 26th, 7pm [conveniently timed to let you finish up at the Knitter's Frolic and then come and join us in Kensington Market!]

Jillian and I will be at both parties, as well as
- samples from the book [possibly their only appearance en masse as we have to return them to the designers shortly]
- cupcakes
- the new Big Girls book in the flesh [both shops will have them for sale]
- DOOR PRIZES, people

the face of my weekend

That'd be Henry, Jillian's baby, exactly as I saw him all weekend. I had her kids blasting out PhotoBooth photos on my laptop, and Henry took this one of himself by himself. He's superhero and robot and scary monster all rolled into one, including sound effects...look at the blurry hands the little camera managed to capture!


Of course, Isobel would rather reconstruct anatomy. This is the creepiest of the pics without being gross. You don't want to see the gross ones.

I love these kids. It was a bit of a rough weekend for other reasons, and H & I kept me smiling and giggling all weekend. They don't have to love me, but they do, and it's possibly the most amazing thing I've ever experienced.

Meanwhile, in worky news, the weekend trip to AA was all about the speaking engagement at the big library in town. This place is amazing, and I was treated like royalty [which isn't something I mind at all :-)]. Here are the folks that came out to say hi:



The left side of the room had to deal with flash problems, so their waving is a little worn out [don't blame 'em]. A nice full house, and that always makes me feel good.

The AADL runs a tight ship, and is fully tech'd out. For the first time ever, I handed off my laptop and cable to someone who made it all work [and it wasn't as simple as my usual low-tech solution]. All I had to do was walk up to the podium and try not to pee my pants. [I succeeded.] The event was recorded and I'll link to it here when it's on their site. I had to keep forgetting that they were recording me or else I'd have never said a word.

I also discovered Flax when Jillian and I popped into Acme and bought myself a jacket on megasale to wear at the event. And a clock in vintage green. Which looks amazing in my living room. I could live in that store. And just might.

And Saturday night, I got to hang with Jillian and the SOAR girls -- Carla, Lynne, Beth and Dynese [did i spell that right?] for an evening of amazing food and drink, spinning, and most importantly laughter. These girls make me howl and I'm so glad I've gotten to know them.

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Tomorrow, hub and I are off to Vermont [by car...so please think dry road thoughts for us] to spend the weekend with Tara Jon Manning and attendees at her Mindful Knitting Retreat. I've wanted to go for several years and this year things just came together. It's also hub's birthday this weekend, so maybe we'll get a chance to sneak out to Sarducci's in Montpelier for dinner. It's our favorite place.

I think I'm sounding a little scattered. This issue of Knitty had a whole bunch of new stuff happening in it and it took more brain power than usual to make it go. People seem to be liking it and that makes me really happy.

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Stand by: We'll soon be announcing launch party dates for More Big Girl Knits for two locations: East Lansing, MI and Toronto! Dates are in April, and we should have news shortly. We hope you'll come and party with us!

Remindah!

I'm going to do the speaking thing at the Ann Arbor District Library this weekend! I'll be giving my No Sheep for You talk, complete with laptop and clicky thing and a microphone, even. I'll bring swatches from the book and we'll talk non-wool fibers and Knitty stuff until the cows come home, or they throw us out. Whichever comes first. There will also be a sneak preview of the new Big Girls book -- More Big Girl Knits...including your chance to rub shoulders with my beloved co-author, Jillian Moreno. Like all library stuff, attendance is free! Woot!

You may have heard about this legendary library from another knitting Torontonian. Well, now it's my turn. Except I won't need to fly in, thankfully...I'll be taking the train. :-)

No Sheep/Knitty® Knit-in

Date: Sunday, March 9

Time: 2-3:30pm [knit-in following the program; library closes at 6pm] -- don't forget you'll be setting your clock forward before you go to bed on Saturday night! I don't want to miss you!

Location: Multipurpose Room at the Downtown Library, 343 South Fifth Avenue, (at the corner of Williams and Fourth).

Notes: Parking is free on Sunday at the lot next door. The Library will open at noon. Seats at the program are first come first serve. In the event of a capacity crowd, overflow will be simulcasted from the 4th floor Boardroom.

Program information:
Learn the ins and outs of fibers that aren't wool and never had four legs. We'll learn about cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, lyocell, rayon, soy, the new synthetics and more, plus the most delicious non-wool of all: silk. Learn about the GeeKY thing [hint: it involves knitting]. It's the tool that will help you to how to substitute non-wool fibers when the pattern calls for wool and get a great result. Here's a secret -- it's WAY more than matching the gauge.

Bring your non-wool questions and your knitting! I will be glad to sign copies of No Sheep for You [someone will have them for sale at the event if you don't have one and would like one], and if we've got time left, we'll have a knit-in!

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Okay, so that's the story. Will you come? I would love to fill up the room with Knitty-loving knitters -- non-woollies, woollies, girls and guys of every size and every other kind of knitter. I'm up for a massive knit-in if you guys are...so please come and bring your knitting peeps!

Will I see you there?

2007 recap in pictures and short phrases...

...because why not, really?

I'm a little stunned at all that's gone on this year, now that I'm looking back. It certainly explains the current state of my house.


No Sheep for You was published [and I got my preview copy + chocolate early in the year.]


I got to hang, briefly, with the Purlesence girls while at the big knitting trade show, TNNA.


I bought my first Habu kit, which is still in this exact state [though Henry has grown] because my brain can't process the pattern.


Cupcakes came to the beach. I have visited Life is Sweet many times since then.


I finished a sweater and started a new one.



Jillian and I had the final photoshoot for More Big Girl Knits...at the cupcake shop, of course!


The year of speaking engagements/travel began at the DKC!


I got to do Breakfast Television again with the sexiest models ever!


I finally got to visit The Fold and my head exploded.


I re-visited the KW Knitters' Guild and managed not to faint in front of Sally Melville and Debbie New this time. Progress!


Loopy Yarn love in Chicago!


Jillian and I made a pilgrimage to the homeland of her heart...Hill Country Weavers in Austin, TX. I fell in love with the place, despite the shvitz factor.


I knit with steel.


I crocheted. And liked it. Haven't done it since, though.


I discovered Zulugrass and met the kickass Scout on her home turf [Albuquerque] where she dyed me some matching yarn.


I bent sterling silver.


Hub put the dead cedar hedge out of its misery.


Massimo the Vespa joined our family, a gift from Grandma.

The next three sort of blur together in a delicious happy memory:

Bainbridge Island, Washington

Portland, Oregon

The Purlescence girls of Sunnyvale, CA, show me San Francisco and, most importantly...


No picture here. My gallbladder and I broke up, permanently.


While I was healing, Hub had a fence put in our backyard to replace the hedge.


I healed quickly enough to visit Loop in Philadelphia!


I went to SOAR and so did Denny! I can now spin yarn that I'm proud to show off!


Hub and I went to Oslo, Norway, and finally met Theresa!


Hub and I went to London, England!

And then it got nice and quiet. It's been, as you can see, an incredible year. Actually, rather more mind-blowing in retrospect. I have Flickr albums full of memories, many more blogs to follow of new friends met all over the world, and now, one last thing.

One of my favorite things about Norway was...the bedding. Really. Everyone gets their own duvet, even in a shared bed. And in the morning, you get up and fold it in half [the long way] and it looks so very Scandinavian and insanely tidy with zero effort. I loved it. No trying to fluff a huge king-sized duvet. No fighting for covers. Then Theresa made new duvet covers and that was it. I was lost:


I ordered us a pair of basic twin duvets [no, not the Icelandic Eiderdown at $2900/ea -- try the Anniversary]. We didn't get each other presents for whatever holiday it is we're celebrating this time of year, so dang it, we could have them. I have enough Amy Butler fabric and vintage linen put aside to make two perfect covers. And sewing two twin covers well seems much more achievable than sewing one huge king-sized cover, though I could probably have done it...badly.

Guess what I'll be doing this week?

Happy new year, everyone!

i've been told

When I was doing the Yarn Roundtable night at Alterknit last month, it became clear that there was a rather significant gap in my teaching locales. I've never taught a class in Toronto! Several people told me they wanted to go to my Tuscany class, so I chatted with Terri and we made it so. :-)

Deets:
Date: Sunday, Sept 23
Time: 11am - 1:30 pm
Location: Alterknit, 1024 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario
Contact: Terri @ 416-654-0500

This is my favorite class to teach!. If you've been hesitant to knit a lace anything, the Tuscany is a great way to get over your fear and learn to love [and read] lace. You need to be able to confidently knit and purl, and a little familiarity with yarn overs and decreases is helpful.

Terri's just opened up spots for this class today, so if you're interested, call soon!

Throw a fish at me!

Well, my west-coast trip is coming up fast [I leave next Monday] and Portland and Sunnyvale are all sold out!

In Seattle, though -- there are several spots left. For the Tuscany class [you know, that luscious silky thing I designed to be easy to knit but not look it?] and the No Sheep class, where I tell you all my best secrets about the fibers I love so that you can love them too.

Maybe Seattleites are shy. Or quite last-minutey. Well, here's your chance. Come out and meet me! [I'm very nice, I won't make your skin itch and I won't bite. I may hug, though.]

Here are the deets:

The Tuscany class runs July 24 and 25 at 10am.
The No Sheep workshop runs July 24 at 6pm.

The folks at Churchmouse Yarns & Teas are charming and nice and I can't wait to see their shop. Will I see you there?

Churchmouse Yarns & Teas
118 Madrone Lane, Bainbridge Island, WA
206.780.2686

No Sheep west coast roadshow

A little update:

Portland is sold out already! [sorry.]

There are just a few spots left in Seattle. Classes and times are here or download the PDF schedule right from Churchmouse for full deets.

The lovely ladies of the San Francisco area [Sunnyvale, to be exact] are on vacation, so I don't know the scoop there.

If you want in on the remaining spots, best to contact the shops pronto. :-)

Can you get to Toronto? Here's why you wanna...

Starting with the fall issue, we're adding virtual yarn tasting to Knitty. In the spirit of Knitty, this will be a social, collaborative project where a group of us will gather around a huge basket of yarns from just about every yarn company on the planet, and get to touch, swatch, fondle and tell the world what you think of the yarn. We want to share our favorites with our readers and let them know about surprises that knit up much differently than the average knitter would expect from just looking or squeezing a ball. As is the custom with Knitty, stuff we don't like won't appear in our pages.

I'll be there as secretary and social butterfly for the evening, gathering your comments and evaluating which yarns will end up in the Yarn Roundtable feature each issue. We'll be holding the Yarn Roundtable nights at Alterknit -- a great and great-big space that's much nicer than their website [sorry, Terri, but it's true :-)]. They've got room for as many people as I hope will come [up to 20 per evening], and they also have refreshments available.

You want to come, don't you? We hope you'll join us! I've started a group at Facebook which you'll find here. Just click the link and join! Everyone is welcome. We'll probably hold two nights per quarter...maybe more. We'll see how it goes! If you're in Toronto or close enough to drive here, it's easy for you. For non-locals who occasionally drop in, sign up anyway just in case we cleverly [accidentally] schedule an evening when you'll happen to be here!

I'll be posting on the group's discussion board on the Facebook site about our first event, so join now!

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P.S. First event scheduled: Friday, July 20, at Alterknit. 7pm -- RSVP here!

West coast! Really!

Finally! I've hoped to get out west for many years to meet all the great knitters whose blogs I read and those I've yet to meet. It's now going to happen!

I'll be in Seattle/Bainbridge Island July 24-25, Portland OR on July 26, and in the San Francisco area over the July 27th weekend. I'll be teaching, signing and knitting with y'all. Woo hoo!

Full details are on the tour page. Spots have been known to fill up fast. :-)

Silversmithy update: we have (almost done) ring!

I missed last week's class -- we attended a cool Luminato event. [Hub is a foley artist, and one of his friends was doing live foley to accompany the movie on stage. It was a brilliant show.] Anyway.

Back last night, and as usual, had a blast and love Sarah and her classes. Also big props to Jen who brought popsicles for all of us [it read 38c on my car's thermometer, for god's sake] -- salvation in ice + sugar. Yum.

Here's the progress from last night:

bezel wall attached to the base, sawed out [not badly for me], sanded for a billion years and then soldered. oops.


see that little dip in the bezel wall? it's at the front on the left. that's where i melted it. never mind. sarah says we can feex, so we are moving on.

we tried to set the stone, but after i'd sanded the bezel down to get rid of the melty evidence, the bezel wall was too shallow to hold the stone in place. so sarah feex for me by grinding out some of the bottom of the bezel.


she did this because, if i slipped [very likely], i'd have had to start all over again. na ga da*.


and her work allowed me to set the stone! it's in! it's in solidly! it's on my finger! i love it!

as you can see, there's still some finishing work to do. the edge of the bezel has to be sanded and smoothed and then i have to buff the ring. but i'm wearing it now anyway [oh, such a surprise! :-)] and will show you the finals when it's really really done.

meanwhile, i'm now in trip-prep mode for Albuquerque and Minneapolis [two more different cities? not possible] and must dash. however, i will say this...

Seattle (Bainbridge Island) -- July 24 & 25 (Churchmouse Yarns & Teas)
Portland -- July 27 (Knit/Purl)

Classes with these shops are almost finalized, and I'm hoping to add a date at Nathania, Sandi and Chloe's shop (Purlescence) in Sunnyvale, CA, that weekend. I'll be doing either the Tuscany shawl class or the No Sheep class [or both at some shops].

I'll have my laptop with me while I'm gone, so as soon as dates/times are finalized, I'll let you know. This is my first west-coast tour, and I'm ecstatic to come and hang with you guys on the left coast!


*you get this, yes? dana carvey doing gb senior in the late '80s.

Why I love Americo so much

Me at Americo during the TTC Knitalong on Saturday. Yes, I bought. Just a little more cotton/silk. Yummy.

Photo scoffed without asking [but with sincere thanks] from Michelle's flickr. You must click for big to see the yarns. Michelle took great photos of the day. Hopefully she'll blog with the stories soon.


[New Knitty is coming soon. Very, very soon.]

more excited plotzingness

Go. Go see what's on my schedule. See specifically October.

I believe I will explode now.

---

eta:

w00t!

So I'm in a frenzy of trade-show prep for TNNA this weekend! Laundry, lists, packing, repacking. What shoes???!? Instead of sharing further angst with you, how about this...a reminder of the happiest day in the year:

Yes, June 9 is World Wide Knit in Public day! Did you know that? Well, you do now! I'm not making this up. You can read all about the globe's knittish escapades here!

What are we doing in Toronto to celebrate this most specialist of days? Why, we get on the Red Rocket and knit from yarn shop to yarn shop, of course! It's the TTC Knit-A-Long, the most Toronto-y of Toronto-y knitting events! I'll be there...are you coming? Deets follow:

Registration is open and you can find out all about it on the TTC Knit-A-Long blog. The date is Saturday, June 9th and it's a yarn crawl that you won't want to miss. Plus there are prizes given out at the end of the day!

You will need to have a valid TTC pass [like the Daypass or your Metropass...or just a handful of tokens] and there is a $2 registration fee.

See you there!

more silversmithyness

We made the first part of our bezels for our cabochons last night. [My stone is chalcedony. A relative of quartz, aka cheap. But I like the milky blue.]


It's amazing to me how rough things start out and how, honestly, crappy they look until they're done. Right now, this looks like poop. But I have faith in Sarah. She will teach us how to un-poop our bezels.

I also started a little cuff bracelet, but it's so ugly right now, I'm not gonna show you nothin.

---

How comes only three darling peoples are supporting Team Knitty in the Run for the Cure this time? What did I do wrong?

We did so well last year and this year, it's kinda echoey and eerily quiet in my donation space. If each person who reads Knitty would give just one dollar, we'd have thousands and thousands of dollars to help fight breast cancer!

Here -- just a little taste of what your dollars will help support:

"The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation has allocated millions of dollars in grants supporting the advancement of breast cancer research, education, diagnosis and treatment across the country since 1986.

In 1998, the Foundation became a funding partner of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance (CBCRA). The CBCRA's objective is to coordinate the pooled resources of the nation's largest fundraising organizations (such as the Foundation) along with medical research and advocacy groups supporting Canadian breast cancer research, treatment and educational programs.

Recently, the Foundation announced its commitment of $14 million over five years to leading edge breast cancer research in its Phase Three funding of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance (CBCRA). This is a tremendous example of the Foundation's leadership role with CBCRA. The Foundation's contribution will be allocated to CBCRA strategic initiatives, including research on lifestyle and environmental links to breast cancer."

To read more about what the CBCF does with the money we raise, please visit this page. Thank you.

---

Hey! Remember last time I went to TNNA [the big knitting/needlework trade show] in January and told you there'd be no signing of No Sheep for You? Well, I'm very happy to report that this time, there WILL be a signing! If you're lucky enough to be in the knitting trade and will be in Columbus this weekend to attend the show, come see me at the Unicorn Books booth at 1pm on Sunday.

Yay!

---

woild traveller?

You know that jewelery class I'm taking? The one where I can't tell you what I'm making?

Well, I had a makeup session on the weekend [I'll have to miss the last class because I'll be out of town] and the surprise thingy came along very well! I promise to blog it once it's been delivered, with love, to its intended recipient.

I just wanted to say that, like with knitting, sometimes you need to walk away from the project for a few days and then skills you didn't have somehow magically appear and you're better at the same thing you sucked at just a few days ago.

Is good.

---

Speaking of being out of town, you know I'm going to be teaching classes in a new part of the US, yes? I'll be in Albuquerque, NM, on June 15 & 16, and in Minneapolis, MN, on June 19 & 20th. I think there might be a few spots left -- you'll need to check with the shops to see if they can fit you in. Deets here.

---

Okay, this last one is a stunner. It's starting to look very much like I may be in Norway [hence the flag at the top of this post] for the last part of October. Teaching classes and giving the No Sheep lecture. Stuff like that. It's all pretty shocking to me and very exciting!

Since I just might be in the vicinity around October 25th, I wondered if anyone has a shop and would like me to teach. Sweden, Denmark, the UK, France? I don't know when I'll be across the ocean again and it seems like a such a great opportunity to meet with knitters and spread the No Sheepy love and talk Knitty until the oxen come home! If you've got a shop or work with a guild and you'd like to see if we can make this happen, please write me at amy A.T. amysinger D0T ca and I'll send you more details.

What the heck, eh? It feels strange asking, but life is short and nothing happens unless you make it happen. :-)

Do you like big, big boats?

I do. So when Patricia Babischkin [of Cruise Planners] asked me -- thanks to a connection made by Mama E -- asked if I'd like to join her and her guests on the 2008 Sea Socks cruise to Alaska, can you imagine how long I hesitated? Yup, barely a millisecond.

Well, details are now finalized, and guess what: we have another cool cruiser coming along with us. Are you sitting down? Brenda Dayne. Yes, you read right. The patron saint of knitting is coming from across the sea to sail with us! She and I will both be teaching classes, and there's way more going on than I even know about.

You can find full details here -- or if you're really keen, just call the lovely Patricia at 888-286-9827.

We sail May 9, 2008, from Seattle for 7 days aboard Celebrity's Infinity, with stops in Victoria, Ketchikan and Juneau. I believe I need to lie down now.

wasn't that a party?

I planned for most everything, except rain [which thankfully stayed away until we were all in bed] and cameras [i left mine at home]. Thanks to Julia, we've got pictures of the evening!

I never know what to do for events like this, so I just got a lot of STUFF. Hit of the night, besides the guac [which was devoured] were the Milk Duds. Canadians didn't grow up with them like we did in the US, so when I found them at Loblaws [!], I had to put them out for the evening. Old skool chocolate and chewy caramel beats Werther's any day. Hub also insisted on bringing the good pizza from Regina, which I hope was worth the wait.

Anyway, as Julia reports, I had so much stuff to give out [from culling my review cabinet] that there was no way I could just call "Scrambles!", even though Stephanie was pushing for it. I figured we'd do numbers and people could pick in order. That worked for about half an hour, until Sarah kept looking panicky and staring at her watch. She was minutes away from missing the last bus to Mississauga, and we couldn't have that. So I just called her number. :-) And when she hugged me, the box went flying, tickets everywhere.

See? The power of the Harlot cannot be denied. She got her scrambles, and it was pretty damned funny. But as Julia said, people were well behaved and the boxes left Lettuce Knit nice and empty. Just the way I like 'em.

The book came out several months ago, so the party was oddly timed, but since it was our first night on the patio since last fall, I think it was worth the wait. We never could have fit in the shop, and honestly, there's something magical about the market on cool spring nights when we're out with our yarn and sticks and a suitable beverage.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and helping me purge. I feel lighter.

---

One of the foody hits of the evening was not my doing -- Barbara, designer of Arietta, isn't only a kickass sweater designer, but she can bake a mean cupcake. I begged the recipe and am going to share it here.

Sez Barbara:

I love this recipe. It takes only a few minutes to throw together, and it is yummy if you serve it while it is still warm (with vanilla ice cream!) It is very moist, so it keeps for several days, or you can freeze any leftovers and zap each piece for about 30 seconds in the microwave. It has the advantage of having no eggs or milk, so not only can it be fed to vegans, you won't have to run out to the store if you keep basic ingredients in your pantry.

You can omit the topping and make icing if you choose.
[sez Amy: don't you dare. the topping is so unique and delicious, you'd be nuts not to use it!]

B.'s Chocolate Cake
(no cow, no chicken)

- combine (sift):
1 cup sugar
1 1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt

- add and stir until smooth:
1 cup cold water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. vinegar

- batter will be thin.
- pour into ungreased 8" square or 9" round pan, or make 18 small cupcakes (bake them only 20 minutes).

Topping
- stir together:
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tsp. cocoa

- sprinkle over surface of raw batter in pan, along with:
3 to 4 tbsp. chocolate chips

Bake at 350° for 30 - 35 minutes.

Thank you, Barbara!

News Flash: No Sheep Launch Party Reminder

Tonight!

Deets:
Date: this Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Time: 6:30pm onwards
Location: Lettuce Knit
70 Nassau Street, Toronto
416.203.9970
What: Fun, food, an embarrasingly large pile of door-prize freebies -- books, yarn and more!
Bevs: Bring some bevvies if you can. We'll have some too!

Books happily signed and doodled. Megan will have copies of No Sheep for sale.
Bring your camp chairs (! it should be a good night for it!) and your knitting and plan to stay until they throw us out.

See you tonight!

More Amy on the road!

Well, let's see. We talked about this a while ago and people -- it's happening!

Thanks to your enthusiastic support, I've booked dates in Albuquerque, NM, and Minneapolis, MN, in June! All details are on the events page. I'm teaching classes and speaking at a guild even!

Who's coming out?

More podcasty fun!

Before I went to Austin, I had a really nice chat with Kathy and Steve...owners of Webs! Wanna listen? here you go.

[Today's activity: cleaning, tidying and purging the Knitty wall of yarn in preparation for the No Sheep for You launch party! You should see the giveaway box. BoxES, more like.]

Hill Country Weavers (Austin, TX): another mammoth post

This past weekend, Jillian and I were in the Weird [with a capital W] capital of the USA, Austin, TX. Our assignment: teach stuff to the fine patrons of Hill Country Weavers.

This was no hardship.

Backstory:
- Jillian lived in Austin with her family for 3 years. She loved it there.
- I've never been to Texas.

So I was predisposed to love it [having heard stories about the Austinites and the city itself for as long as J and I have been friends]. Let's get this clear: she didn't lie. Austin is one of the coolest cities I've ever been to in every way except climate. [I am not good with hot. Especially in April. Erk.]

So let's get on with the pictures, shall we?


*

It's all things fibery -- weaving, spinning...and the thing we love best: knitting.


Look how happy Ms. J is to be home.


Old-timey knitbloggers...remember Yentala? She exists! [she's hiding behind J's Austin-swelled hair] And she is a huge bundle of love and Texas-style mensch love. Deb, you are the best.


Jillian will have to forgive me for this one. It's just too perfect. What is she pointing to that has her pontificating? Why, it's the shelf where the original yarn for Rockstar was pulled by HCW's owner Suzanne. Suzanne gave the yarn to Jillian, saying [legend has it], "Here. Go design something." And she did. And thanks to that fateful day, I've got me a BFF and you all have an amazing designer whose work you can knit and enjoy. Thank you, Suzanne.


Okay, now we're on the road. Even the ratty weather-worn music posters are different here. Totally frameable. Austin is the live-music capital of the USA, you know. Damn straight.


I felt very at home here. These are bumper stickers you can buy at Book People, THE Austin bookstore.


I'd been asked what I wanted to do in Austin, and told my generous hostess that I wanted the real Austin Experience. I sure got it! Here we are sitting at Shady Grove, trying to figure out what's for dinner. That's the legendary Suzanne on the right.


My choice: catfish.


Suzanne's choice: Frito pie [that's the Fritos bag blinding the flash -- it's a bag of fritos with hot stuff on top. too cool.]


The true Austin experience includes live music. Tonight: Bruce Robison. Love.


Back at the shop now. This is Suzanne's dog, Stella.


The classroom, set up by the HCW staff, for my first No Sheep class.





Look at all those gorgeous non-wools! Still feel sorry for knitters like me?




Knitters busily swatching non-wools to see how they behave. Notice the deep and intense focus. These knitters are serious!

Okay, back out on the street now...I had to walk South Congress to see all the cool shops.


:-)






Boots to die for at Allen's.

My new love:





That last picture was taken in their washroom. I've never been to a shop that fills the washroom with merch, knowing no one will take anything. I love this place.


The coolest hotel I've ever seen.





Insanely understated, gorgeous landscaping.



Austin seems to have a fetish for penis-signs. This was just one of them. Oh, and that's the Capitol building in the back there.




How could I not be happy here? My own ice cream store!
My choice: Smores ice cream with whoppers [Maltesers for the Canucks and Brits reading this] bashed up by hand and mixed in.
Cost: $5 [including tip]
Calories: don't even ask.
Worth it? Hell, yeah.



Cupcake gifts [back at the shop again] from partygoers! Yum.

And before we left, Suzanne asked me to do something. I was glad to oblige [but you can tell my spray painting skills are quite, um, unpractised. I did my best.]



We were and we'll be back. [Though if it's just me, it'll be in winter. So I can wear my boots next time.]


*Yes, I messed with the sign in Photoshop. Bow to my mad skillz. Bonus points for those that get the shiny joke.

Catching up (part 2) -- loopy yarns and the K-W Knitters' Guild

Jillian and I are getting ready for Austin -- we leave tomorrow at an ungodly hour -- but I wanted to leave you all caught up. Because I have pictures burning a hole in my Flickr and that can hurt.


So...when last we left our unintrepid [sporadically intrepid?] author, she had to physically lift her chin off the pavement outside The Fold. The next day, a signing at Chicago's Loopy Yarns!

This store is right in the Loop proper, and conveniently located seconds off one of the highways [94, I think]. Chicago is a confusing city to drive, but this was a piece of cake!

Look, they were expecting me! I love the sheep:




This shop was a great choice for a No Sheep event...these guys totally love all fibers, sheepy and non, and go out of their way to mark their yarn bins with labels so people know what's inside before they reach in! Look:






wait...what's that?

Damn straight I bought the skein. How could I not?

Meet the facilitator of the evening's event, Kristen (on the left) and the shop's owner, Vicki (right, wearing one of my favorite sweaters ever -- that gorgeous pink cabled thing from Knitter's Magazine a few years back...and does it ever look more beautiful in blue Manos? Yes, it does.)


Kristen is adorable, but my two photos of her are less than. I'm sorry, Kristen. I failed you.


At least you look happy in the Sweet Indulgence!


They were ready for the onslaught! And here it comes!




Oy! Such a beautiful Mermaid. I wept aloud. Hi, Linda! I found you!


Look at this gorgeous Kyoto from miss luscious luka!

Kris brought me a really cool t-shirt -- see her blog for pics. I'm proud to have joined your Knit-On movement!






And then some sweet surprises:

Meet Nancy's travel knitting. Dear lord.


Meet Nancy! Nancy does a lot of things, including reading physics texts for fun [what is UP with that?], and here is evidence of my favorite thing she does:


Yes, that is my new Sheepy. Sheepy is a wee handmade glass bead, with devilish eyes and a dopey face. Sheepy is going with me everywhere lately, including on the tee-vee [did you spot that, Nancy? also notice my mad wire-bending skillz].


This is our model for the evening, Cyd:


Cyd and Nancy [I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried] are best buds and co-enablers.



Sorry again for the crap pictures -- but these guys are cute enough to overcome my lack of photography skills.

What does Cyd do for fun? She pours metal.


No, really.


Recognize the bag? It's from the Knitty shop. But did you know whose hand that is in that loteria card?


Yes, it's Hub's hand [my Hub!] and here he is, signing his first autograph ever. With the same hand, even!

Here are my favorite photographers of the evening:



These adorable girls are knitters, too. Way cool.


Cozy!


Look -- what a clever use for a photo bag. Put swatches in instead!


This is Zoe, killer photog, wearing a sweater designed by another Zoe. Small woild.


A gorgeous scarf on a gorgeous knitter. Of course, the scarf was knit in merino, so I could only look longingly.


Kristen baked cupcakes. That's how I knew I was in the right place.

Loopy Yarns is a fabulous store and I can't wait to go back. It's full of great, enthusiastic knitters and a killer selection of yarns and accessories. Thanks for having me!

---

Last Tuesday night, I got to speak at the K-W Knitters' Guild for the 2nd time. My first appearance there in 2004 was my first appearance in front of any group, and they were welcoming and kind, so I was excited to go back.



A full house once again.

We talked with the aid of technology [my laptop and my neato Keynote presentation] until all of a sudden, technology failed me:

What's that red light mean? Low Battery. In other words, big-mouthed me had to speak loud enough to be heard by all those people. I couldn't do it, so we adjourned for a short break where I signed books and talked to the lovely KW knitters. The exec found us a battery and soon we were back in business! I took few pictures because I was working and had no Hub to act as photographer this time -- but it was a good, busy night, and we got to talk all sorts of sheeplessness. And this time, the presence of Debbie New and Sally Melville in the audience [this is their guild, after all!] didn't derail me. I just tried to keep my head and do well in front of two of my knitting idols.

One thing you must see: a gift from Lynne, she of the faultless KW directions:

My very own No Sheep for You customized tape measure. The outside is knit from cotton and sewn to the sheepy tape measure. Lynne, you are cool beyond words.

---

Man, that was a mouthful. I've now got to get ready for the No Sheep class[es?] I'm giving in Austin. Jillian is doing likewise for the Knit to Fit class. I have freshly pedi'd toes and a pile of new t-shirts for the 80+F weather we've been told to expect. I hear the classes are all full, but they may be adding a 2nd No Sheep class to accommodate those who were interested, so it looks like a busy weekend!

Have fun at LK tonight for me, guys. I'll be busy packing!

Time for more tee vee & another guild!

And this time, I'm bringing a posse.

This coming Wednesday [April 11], sometime between 7-9am, I'll be talking No Sheep on Breakfast Television -- the Toronto edition. To add significant coolness, Rachel H, Jacquie and Miss Muffy have agreed to model the garments from the book. Can you imagine the hysteria?

My goal will be to get it on a VCR and then transfer it to digital, so I can upload it to YouTube. If anyone in the Toronto area can record direct to digital and can help me save a step, please let me know!

---

What am I doing the night before? Resting with a face mask on, reading something trashy and eating bonbons? Nope. I'll be driving to KW and back, so that I can talk to the great people of the KW Knitters Guild. They were the first guild I spoke to back in the Knit Wit days, and I was very flattered to be asked back. If you're in the area, please come out! [Yup, I"m doing the whole thing: trunk show, full electro-maniacal presentation and books will be available for purchase thanks to Cloth and Clay. If you've already got your copy, bring it along. I'll be very glad to sign it.]

April 10, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
KW Knitters' Guild
Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex,
Hauser Haus room,
101 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo, ON

No Sheep in the Midwest!

Okay. Since my last post, I've been working like an author on deadline [oy, I tell you!], neglecting my sister and her husband daily, but making it up at dinner, and changing time zones. I'm now in Chicago to celebrate Passover with the family. And I brought the No Sheep for You trunk show with me!

Wanna come see us? We'll be at Loopy Yarns this coming Wednesday froom 5:30 to 7:30. Most excellently, Loopy Yarns sent me this news:

To celebrate Amy’s arrival at Loopy Yarns, for two hours we’re having a sale of 20% off ALL animal free yarns and ALL silk. That’s EVERY cotton, bamboo, linen, soy, corn, and milk yarn, as well as all our 100% silk and wool-free silk blends.

As always, the sharpie will be at the ready, books and yarn will abound and we can talk non-wool yarns until they kick us out.

Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, April 4
5:30-7:30 pm
Loopy Yarns
719 South State Street
Chicago
312-583-YARN

i dood it.

And it was good, dude. [Sorry. I'm a little punchy.]

First, we begin with an early snap of Michelle and Jacquie. Notice both are wearing gorgeousness of handknitting:


Also notice the emptiness of the room. Me trying not to panic. Much plugging in of electronics ensued, and then the sweater arrived:


Really, all eyes were on the sweater, because I have never seen anything quite like it. It stopped being yarn and became a painting in wool. I couldn't take my eyes off it. Oh, Steph looked nice, too. :-)

And then it was time to talk. Look at what I saw from the podium:


Mighty nice.

There was talking, there was clicking of mouses and big pictures on the screen, there was talk of wool and mostly non-wool yarns and lots of good questions from the audience. A great night. The trunk show was a hit, too!

Then we headed off to Lettuce Knit for a post-DKC party. A little bubbly [thanks, Megan!] and an impromptu 2nd appearance of the trunk show for those who missed the guild. Feedback continues to be good. Rock.

And that's all! I've got tons of BGK2 work to do, and my sister and her hub are visiting from Chicago, so I'd better get to it! Thanks to everyone for coming out last night, and especially for Jacquie for asking me to speak and just generally being a great friend.

Calling Toronto Knitters! (and those close enough to get here by tomorrow night :-)

My presentation on No Sheep for You at the DKC is tomorrow night already! Will I see you in the audience? Or will there be empty chairs and a big echoey room to present to? (Nervous? Not hardly. Ahem.)

Downtown Knit Collective
Metro-Central YMCA, 2nd floor auditorium
20 Grosvenor Street, Toronto ON
Wednesday, March 28 - doors open at 6:45 pm

Highlights:
- Needle Arts Book Shop is offering copies of No Sheep for You for sale
- I'm not shy with the sharpie if asked
- the entire book will be there in Trunk Show form and yes, you may touch
- post-DKC party at Lettuce Knit, if time permits and they're still hanging out at the shop (I've asked and it looks like we will be in luck, but I'll call before we leave, just to be sure)

Why Wendy is my hero

Yesterday, I sent out a plea for someone to print out my picture and take me to the Yarn Harlot's Represent event... and Wendy* did! So I was there, sort of! Go to Wendy's blog for more pictures of the HUGE auditorium full of knitters and a few of me, getting passed around to a whole bunch of them. Hi, guys! Hi, Kate! I am speechless.

Wendy, you made my day. I'm now going to cruise Bloglines to see what everyone else has to say about last night. What an amazing event.

*Wendy's the woman behind Dame Candle Company. She makes yummy things. In fact, I think I'm going to light my Grapefruit candle right now in her honor.

---
Representing around the blogosphere:

Kay, the NY half of Mason Dixon Knitting, was there. Amazing photos and a beautiful poem. Factoid: in the 2nd picture from the top, a silver-haired knitter is wearing a purply-blue cardigan. I knit the same one in the 1980s...it's a Pingouin pattern. Coolio.

Katy's pictures of the event, including the FIT tour

Lizbon's account, with pics and quotes!

Kathy's pictures

Lysa's post with a pic and stories

Penny tells about the community knitting project associated with the Represent event

Kate writes a really lovely, comprehensive report of the whole evening. Some dark but telling photos. :-)

Will you Represent?

Damn, I wish I could be there to see it. Something tells me this could be the Woodstock of our people. No one could make it happen more than our beloved Harlot.

Someone, print out my picture and hold me up in the audience, will you? It's the next best thing to actually being there. :-)

My only consolation is that there will be NO SHORTAGE of blogging after the fact, so that we who missed it can see what we missed.

Make us proud, New Yorkers! Represent and blow the minds of everyone around. Go, Stephanie! Kick ass!

---

Next Wednesday, I'm having my own little room-full-of-knitters event. The Downtown Knit Collective is the first place I went when I decided to launch Knitty in 2002. I stood up and said, "Hi, I'm Amy Singer and I'm starting an online knitting magazine."

5 years later, I've been invited back to talk to the guild about No Sheep for You, in a big auditorium, with chairs that fold down and my laptop hooked up to a big screen and everything.

I really hope you'll come if you can:
Downtown Knit Collective
Metro-Central YMCA, 2nd floor auditorium
20 Grosvenor Street, Toronto ON
Wednesday, March 28 - doors open at 6:45 pm

Marsha from the Needlearts Book Shop will be there offering copies of No Sheep for sale, if you'd like one. I've got a new Sharpie, too. I've also got the entire book in trunk-show form and there's nothing that can convert an non-wool skeptic more quickly than touching these projects.

Afterwards, if we're very lucky, I'm hoping we can get back to Lettuce Knit before their (my beloved!) S&B is over, and finish the party there!

here we go again!

It's time for me to start taking the No Sheep show on the road! My first date with knitters is tonight at the York Region Knitting Guild. Future dates are listed here. As new dates come up, i'll add them to this page. I believe I may be visiting places I haven't been before on this one. How cool is that?

[I keep a link to the page over there on the right -- "Meet Amy on the road"]

It's exciting! It's nerve-wracking! and starting tonight, I bring the laptop and do my shpiel electronically, with cords and cables and a remote and funky technological doo-dads. There are pictures! There is a whole trunk show! I'm surely going to say something dumb at least once during the evening. How could you miss that?

I'll also be speaking to the DKC at the end of this month and the K-W knitters' guild at the beginning of next month. And yes...I'm teaching a class in Austin, TX, at Hill Country Weavers on Earth Day! Jillian's doing a class there the day before, too. A double bill! Eee! And after that, I can't wait for the Knittyhead party at Loop in Philadelphia. Cool, eh?

So if you can, pencil me into your schedule, would ya? An empty room is a sad thing, especially when I bring my doo-dads!

----

p.s. If you watch ANTM, This Wonderful Man needs to be your weekly recap read. I love you, Rich Juzwiak. You make me giggle out loud.