knits, notes, etc.

Okay. So even though I have (for the first time!) a bunch of finished projects to post, today I want to write about my very first ever knitting convention, Stitches West 2008. Hilary kindly drove Erica and me to the Santa Clara Convention Center, and OMG—It was fun, but yarn-overload! (You can also read Hilary's side of the story!)

Erica actually spent the night before at my place—Yes. We had a knitting pajama jam! (Amber even joined us for some knitting as we watched the pretty, but boring and overly melodramatic, teen werewolf drama, Blood and Chocolate.) So Erica and I were able to wake up very early (for a Saturday, you know) and roll out the door to meet Hilary at Samovar for some Chai-on-the-go.

Hilary, Erica, and me at Stitches West 2008.

It was a cold and rainy day, but you would not have known it once you walked into the convention center. Really, it felt at least 15 degrees warmer on the convention floor--the density of knitters and wool, I guess? It was amazing. We did not know where to begin. But, umm, we sure ended at the Webs stall quite a few times. In fact, I made most of my purchases there (you have to love their variety and discounts!).

Did we spot any knit-elebrities? Well. Hilary pointed me to Debbie New, who had walked past us and was quickly making her way up the stairs as we waited in the ticket line. This I missed because I was busy trying to sneak peaks of the convention floor through the doorway. Then, she later told me that I had moments before backed into Nancy Bush (and apologized for bumping her, of course). I was busy admiring the pretty handmade stitch markers on the counter before me. Hilary also pointed out a few Ravelry friends—It made me realize that I'm actually pretty bad with recognizing faces and names... And, I have to admit, I think I was so focused on the wealth of garments, yarns, accessories, and notions around me that, except for Hilary and Erica, I might have been alone in the convention. And Erica—She had a knack for pointing us to the more unique conference goers and knitted garments.

Madame Hilary yarnplay.

After a few hours, we did take a break for some food and yarnplay. Hilary's first purchase of the day was this amazing royal blue yarn. Do you think the guys in the background are laughing at us?

Erica was very good with not buying anything, but in the end, we refused to leave the convention floor until she made a purchase. Eventually, she found something she wanted while we were at Webs (again).

These were my purchases:

Patterns. Yarns. Buttons.

The patterns

• Lace Style
• Berroco NaturLin #273
• Valley Yarns #118 Cozy Cabled Socks

I'd been meaning to get Lace Style for some time now, and this was the perfect opportunity. I spent so much time standing in front of the Berroco NaturLin display pieces (Orleans Tunic, mini Hadley crocheted bag), that I couldn't leave without buying the patterns (and yarns). I couldn't resist this beautiful worsted weight cabled sock pattern (and the yarn that accompanied it).

The yarns

• Valley Yarns Stockbridge in Deep Purple, Deep Teal, and Dark Gray.
• Berroco NaturLin in Maize and Indigo

I bought Stockbridge to make the cabled socks in gray and purple. The deep teal is a gift for my sister. I bought the Naturlin to make the mini Hadley grocery bag.

The buttons

I just absolutely fell in love with these. Why, oh why, were there only two?

Lavender-colored jade buttons.

It was a fun and thoroughly tiring day. I wonder if anyone who reads this blog was there, as well? ^_^