If it is possible to overdose on fiber, Saturday would've been the
day!
Ya'll just need to sit down for this post. Put your feet up and relax because I know right off the bat that someone's going to leave a comment that I make them tired! I assure you, there was nothing exhausting about Saturday. It was exciting from start to finish.
I left home shortly after 9:00 AM and headed to Mechanicsville, VA for the monthly spinning guild meeting. I was a member of Clotho's Childrenback in the late 1980's and realized how much I had missed being in a room amidst lots and lots of spinning wheels and spinners. There were a lot of Lendrums, a couple Fricke wheels, a Peacock, a couple of Majacrafts, and Mary even brought her Womack e-spinner.
Today, the guild was having a trunk show. Kathy, of Scarlet
Fleece and former owner of Holly Spring Homespun, was there with her beautiful yarns, roving, bags of cashmere, and patterns. (Her blog is here.) I couldn't resist!!!! I purchased roving in three colorways (Copper Smoke, Under the Sea, Guitar Hero), a couple bags of cashmere, three patterns, and two skeins of yarn (HoriZEN) to make one of the patterns (Cozy Baby Set, Country Lace Shawl, Pullover Vest).
Accompanying Kathy was Ginni Nichols. Ginni makes the coolest spindles! She is working on her web site. The colors she uses in her spindles reflect the colorways of Kathy's
yarns. Just too cool! I bought a 1.3 oz. spindle named Mexican Sunflower.
Someone else was at the meeting with very reasonably priced wooden shawl pins, darning needles, knitting needles, and crochet hooks he had made. I purchased three shawl pins and a darning needle.
Yes, I did manage to spin (a little) in between shopping spurts. I started the second bobbin of this beautiful roving purchased from The Woolery. The Woolery has moved to Frankfort, KY - check out their new site. They now offer yarn and fiber discounts.
Two o'clock came and I hated to leave! But, it was time to head south. South on Interstates 95 and 85 to Chapel Hill, NC and Yarns, Etc.
Why was I going all the way to Chapel Hill, NC???
To see FRANKLIN HABIT -- author extraordinaire of his blog - The Panopticon - and his book of cartoons and essays - "It Itches." - at Yarns, Etc.
I was so disappointed that I didn't get in his class scheduled for Sunday on photographing your handknits but was thrilled to be able to attend the reception / reading / book signing Saturday night.
Franklin entertained us by reading from "It Itches." and sharing other snippets of his life. He also took our questions - discussing the 1,000 Knitters project, etc. We were also treated to the unveiling of his Print 'o the Wave stole in person! It was absolutely gorgeous! You can visit Franklin's blog to read about the stole and see more pictures.
He had the undivided attention of this sheepish audience member. His name was Herman and he came to the event in hopes of seeing Delores. He stared intently at Franklin - never once blinking but, alas, meeting Delores was not in the cards this trip. (If you're one of Franklin's blog readers, you know who Delores is.)
Franklin autographed my copy of his book and also one for my friend, Mary. It's a terrific little book and I encourage each of you to get a copy. You will be able to relate to Franklin's witty cartoons and essays and find yourself, as I did, laughing out loud. Goodness knows, we all can use a good chuckle!
Also, attending the event was Betsy Greer, author of Knitting for Good. This is a special little book that is being heralded on the internet. One group is mailing it from person to person - a group sharing, if you will, celebrating this book about creating positive change through our knitting. Betsy also autographed my copy!!
I was tickled to see the racks at Yarns, Etc. nicely stocked with Three Waters Farm handpainted Blueface Leicester and Merino Top. Mary Ann was there and I told her how much I love her colors -- so rich and saturated. I purchased several of her colorways - First Bloom, City Nights, Cave at Hug Point, Mediterranean - and can hardly wait to spin them up. Also, check her products out here and here. Mary Ann said that Three Waters Farm will be in the main building at Maryland Sheep & Wool this year so you all be
sure and look for her. Her booth is always terrific. She will not be at SAFF this year - she said the time conflicts with the NC State Fair.
I knit a bit Saturday night while listening to Franklin. I am trying to finish my Clapotis. Am I the last one to knit a Clapotis?? The yarn is Blue Heron's rayon metallic.
Well, to close this long post -- hope you're still with me! -- Saturday was great! I drove 375 miles - start to finish. I listened to podcasts and argued with my Garmin GPS. Most importantly, I crossed paths with so many talented people. Craftsmen and women as Franklin would call them. Authors, knitters, spinners - OH MY!
Tomorrow, I'll show you what was waiting in the mailbox for me when I returned home. Toooo cute!
You sure have been busy. The spinning event sounds like it was fun. Did you get the e-mail from Barbara at Stony Mountain about the guest she's having this month?
Posted by: Rosanne - Firefly Nights | March 06, 2009 at 02:28 PM
No you are not the last one to knit a clapotis. I am. My intent is to cast on one this weekend.
Wow lots of fiber stuff for one weekend.
Posted by: Timmie B | February 24, 2009 at 02:49 PM
You certainly were busy! I didn't know you'd left home for the Richmond area that morning!
It was great to run into you at Yarns, Etc!
I truly did enjoy listening to Franklin!
Posted by: Nikki | February 24, 2009 at 02:38 PM
It made my morning looking at all those pictures Robin! Thanks so much for sharing them. Our provincial guild has two events in May and June and I'm so looking forward to going to them this year.
Posted by: Charlene | February 23, 2009 at 12:04 PM
I am so glad you like the fiber! You indeed had a fiber-adventure day!
Posted by: Mary Ann Pagano | February 23, 2009 at 08:08 AM
Oh, good for you. You made it to both events. Sounds like *lots* of fun.
Posted by: Cathy in Va. | February 23, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Hi Robin!
Got to meet Franklin Habit! You are such a rock star...I love his book and his blog is great. They did a great write up of him in the newest British knit mag, which I can't remember the name of right now. Anyway, you had a SPECTACULAR day!
Hope Bailey does okay...we don't like it when our pets are down and out...hugs to the kids.
I took a fab felting class yesterday and made red sparkle mittens...too chic! Wish you had been there!
Posted by: Jackie | February 22, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Oh - what fun! Seeing Franklin Habit looks like such a treat.
Posted by: mrspao | February 22, 2009 at 05:12 PM
What fun! I would have loved to have sen Fraknklin- I've had his book for some time and have read his blog for forever. Lucky Girl!!!
You are all WRONG!! I will be that last one to knit a Clapotis!!!
Posted by: emmy | February 22, 2009 at 05:03 PM
Whew! that was fun. I always have a good time e-traveling with you!
love all your purchases. Looks like you got some great stuff.
Have a great week.
Robin C
Posted by: Robin C | February 22, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Wow, that is pretty close to an overdose! Not quite though, lol! And how awesome you got to meet Franklin!
Just so you know, no, you are not the last one to knit a Clapotis; I'm aiming for that distinction...
Posted by: Loribird | February 22, 2009 at 10:37 AM
WOW sounds like you had a won-der-ful day! Thanks for posting -- my eyes are quite green right now!
Posted by: CathyT | February 22, 2009 at 09:46 AM
WOw! Looks like an incredible day! I haven't seen Kathy in ages--glad o see she is being so productive! Love all your goodies!
Posted by: Issy | February 22, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Wow - definitely a fiber & fun filled day! You're not the last to knit the Clapotis - I still haven't. :)
Posted by: Amy | February 22, 2009 at 09:25 AM
What a great trip. How could you not stash enhance with such lovely things to choose from. Love the yarn for your Clapotis. It will be so pretty.
Posted by: KSee | February 22, 2009 at 05:34 AM
Looks like you had a wonderful time. Lovely stash enhancement. :)
Posted by: mrspao | February 22, 2009 at 02:43 AM