I had a great weekend in Baltimore! Stitches East was a fun event and it’s always interesting to look around and see knitters sitting and knitting everywhere. (Not to mention all of the handknit items that walk by you as you stroll the aisles. It’s a wonder there aren’t more accidents as people stop and do double takes at some of the beautiful designs going by.) On my first day there (Friday), I was so happy to see several people snapping photos.  When I go to our TNNA Market, there are very strict rules about no phots on the show floor. I always figured this had something to do with not spoiling upcoming yarn line surprises – and I am a rule follower.  No photos.  So seeing photographers here was fun.  I took my camera the second day and happily snapped photos of some of our indie dyers and favorite vendors.  When I got to the last person I wanted to photo, she said, “Ok – but we have to be careful you don’t get caught – you’re not supposed to take photos!” So holy cow – I broke rules I didn’t know about! (I continued to see people photo-ing. I guess they don’t have Photo-Police patrolling the aisles.) Since I took them, I’m sharing them with you. But don’t tell.

I picked up a few new ideas and potential yarn lines for us (you’ll love them) and bought way too many skeins of yarn. (For “research” – you know.)  Mostly it was just fun to connect with old friends, and meet new ones. I went up to every person I saw carrying a clear Loopy Ewe totebag, just to make sure I didn’t miss any Loopies!  I’ll keep you posted on the new things as we get closer.  I also have some really fun stuff arriving this week and next week – Team Spirit Colorways from Lorna’s Laces and a brand new special yarn base from Dream in Color that I think you’ll love for holiday knitting.

And here are my photos from the weekend! One of the first booths in the first row was Malabrigo and it was so fun to re-connect with Tobias and Antonio. I met them last summer at TNNA and they’re as nice as can be. They were so happy with all of the sock yarn you guys bought last week! (By the way, we have more enroute – as much as they could send us.  And more on order for the next shipment they get in.) They also liked Loopy a lot. When I was done taking him around for photos, I had to bring him back to them so that they could take him home. They want to make a crocheted Loopy.

Across from the Malabrigo booth was the Cherry Tree Hill booth and this is a picture of Cheryl and Ryan. Ryan is their website guy. I should’ve asked him if he knits. I can’t believe I didn’t think to do that.

Then it was on to our wonderful indie dyers. Kate and Gryphon (of The Sanguine Gryphon) were also in that first row. Gryphon likes to dress up in costume and she has the most beautiful outfits.  Their booth had a canvas atop it, painted to look like a medieval tent. Very cool. (More Bugga coming soon.  New Blended Batts going up this week.)

I rounded the corner and came upon Yarn Love’s Katie and Sharon. (Sharon is tall, like me. I like that about her.  She sat down so as not to point out that Katie is a bit shorter.) :-) I have a new roving order ready to go in with them.

Next to Yarn Love’s booth was Dianne from Creatively Dyed. Actually, I didn’t even make it to her booth – Dianne tackled me from behind, first!  It was fun to meet Mr. Creatively Dyed, too. I know he’s a big help with the business. I ordered a new yarn base in a dye techinque that puts 15 colors in each skein.  It’s amazing. We’ll have that in a few weeks.

Wandering up the way, I came to Jenna from Indie Dyer. Jenna has done a lot to promote indie dyeing (including a video) and she’s young.  But she was raised with dyeing – her mom is Cheryl from Cherry Tree Hill. (See the resemblance?) We have new Indie Dyer colors coming after Thanksgiving.

And these lovely ladies just looked so cute in their shawls that I had to take their photo. That’s Deb, Karen, Kate, and Alison (seated).  Alison is the author of this lace book, and after sharing my “I really can’t seem to get the hang of lace” woes with them, I left thinking I’d have to try it again. They were very encouraging.

I took yarn to knit a second sock, but instead (of course) started on a new project with a potential new yarn line. I’m hopeless.

Did you know that there is no mail tomorrow? It’s Veteran’s Day. We’ll get all of tonight’s and tomorrow’s orders out to you on Wednesday.

Sheri LoopyLimelightwillshowuponWednesday,whereyou’llmeet
JanieoftheBeanieBaggiesthatyoualllovesomuch