Sock Summit the Out-Takes

Ok, this is THE last Sock Summit post that I am going to do, I swear! I wanted to get this out a while ago, but I am still trying to get things back in order post SS09. This post is about random things that happened at SS09 that were very memorable but did not make it into my other SS09 posts. Here goes...

There are a group of 10 of us that know what the meaning of Whoop! Whoop!

You can trade a Voodoo Doughnut for a pair of Mini Socks. This very lovely lady Lynne, sat down at the table I was sitting and really wanted a doughnut so she offered a pair of mini socks that she made for the doughnut, I told her that she could have one, the trade was not necessary and she insisted. So now I have a cute little pair of mini socks!
Cat Borhdi thinks I look like Robin Williams. Well at least the hair part.

Before SS09 I had not known how much my mother and Tina Newton look alike.
They could be sisters (a girl can only dream.) Sorry, the photo of mom is a bit blurry, but you get the idea.

Nancy Bush and Ann Budd were walking out of the convention center on their way to dinner. Jasmin sees them and runs up to them looks at Ann Budd and says, "I loved your daughter in the production of Romeo and Juliet." Ann Budd replies, "That was Pam Allen."

This was taken before the faux pas.

I was interviewed on the local CBS station KOIN 6 about the Sock Summit. This is the only video available online, but there were other segments that ran at different times with more of the interview.


Mittens can be used to cover other parts of your body (and that is all I am going to say about that to protect the innocent.)

Knitters after having several drinks are good negotiators, they could even talk a person out of their clothes (and that is all I am going to say about that to protect the innocent.)

The next time Cookie gives me advice on what classes to take at a knitting event, I will listen. (Regret not taking a class from Anna Zilboorg.)

Some stash enhancement. I really didn't buy much yarn, I bought more tools and project bags than yarn.

Bryson sock blockers with my sock project I was knitting at SS09, Miss Babs sock yarn in My Kelley colorway, Skull and knitting needles project bag in chocolate brown and mint green, Misti Alpaca lace (the entire bag-5 hanks) in a beautiful red at a steal of a price I might add, Thank you WEBS Yarns, Ebony tool named Wanda, Triangular project bag made by Knit, Purl, Sew What?

What do I think if Sock Summit? Been there, done that, got the t-shirt :)

Portland Sock Summit Day 5

This was a big day. What I did not tell you about the night before is that I sold my Sunday class Textured Colorwork with Chrissy Gardiner for a prawn & scallop dinner to a nice young man Ben. Why would I do that? Cause my class started at 9am and well, I was going to Barbara Walker's hotel room at 10am! The Knitmore Girls scored an interview with BGW and there was not going to be anything that could have stopped me from being there.

So I packed my two BGW books that I brought with me to get signed and off we went. We arrived at the hotel and when I say we, I mean Jasmin & Gigi (The Knitmore Girls) and Chloe, Maribel and I. Now remember yesterday when I saw her in my class with Meg Swansen and took a picture, I cried? Well she opens the door and saw all five of us and sees me, she says, "Oh my there are a lot of you" I reply quickly with, "I promise I won't cry today," cause I am real witty! We all file in to the room, Barbara gets comfortable while Jasmin sets up the equipment and we were all just waiting for BGW to start speaking and impart all her wisdom upon us and she did.





Once Jasmin asked her pre-determined questions she asked us if there was anything we wanted to ask her and my mind went blank. The only thing I could think of was "Chloe has a great question!" And it was a great question, you have to listen to the interview when it comes out because she answers a question that is asked on Ravelry every day.

Now that the question and answer portion of the visit was over I had pulled out my books for her to sign and she did graciously.





Then Jasmin leans in and says, "Isn't there something else that you would like her to sign?" Jasmin put me on the spot and BGW looked at me for the "something else" to sign. So let me go back a few days and explain. Since we took off from San Jose, we have been chatting about this interview, what was going to be asked, speculating where the interview was going to take place, what we would say to her when we met her, so on and so forth. I had a silly idea that I was going to have BGW sign a part of my body, possibly my ankle or foot and have that permanently tattooed on me. This idea started as a joke, but I started to seriously consider it for a few days. I thought what would Sensei say when I came home and my ankle says Barbara Walker? The idea was great fun to imagine how she would react and what she would think and then reason got the better of me (the same reason that stopped me from running up to Meg Swansen and hugging her when I first saw her) and I decided that the tattoo was not a good idea. Besides, how would I feel if she said NO!?!? I would have been shattered. So I quickly explained the idea to Barbara and she just giggled a bit and smiled but still had the pen in her hand. I think she would have done it, I really do.

Barbara G. Walker is one of the most interesting people that I have ever met. I learned so much from her and I did ask her a question that I am not sure we were still taping, but I asked how nice it was that Meg and her were at SS09 and I asked if they keep in touch much. To my surprise BGW said that was about the 2nd or 3rd time they had been in each others presence.
The five of us gathered up our things and BGW hugged each of us, we said our goodbye's and walked on air for the rest of the day.

The last SS09 event was the Luminary Panel. The Panel was moderated by Stephanie Pearl McPhee (The Yarn Harlot) and Tina Newton of Blue Moon Fiber Arts and the consisted of Lucy Neatby, Cat Borhdi, Deborah Robson, Anna Zilboorg, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Meg Swansen, Babara Walker, Judith Mackenzie-McCuin and Nancy Bush...WOW.









This was the second best thing about SS09 for me. Lots of laughs, lots of wisdom and a bit if regret on my part for not listening to a certain friend who told me to take a class from Anna Zilboorg (I love this woman!) Also, since I am not a spinner I have not had much knowledge of Judith MacKenzie-McCuin, but she is a very lovely woman, very classy. One of the many memorable comments from the panel came from Judith. When asked about how large your stash is and how to deal with the possible guilt that comes with a large stash her reply was, Julia Child says that every chef needs a well stocked pantry when inspiration hits so do not be ashmed of your large stash, you need inventory for when inspiration strikes. The good thing is, I believe it was professionally recorded the event from the looks of the camera man in the back and I am sure that the DVD will be available for purchase eventually.

The Luminary Panel marked the end of Sock Summit 2009 and it coincided with what would have been Elizabeth Zimmermann's 99th birthday. A cake was presented, we all sang Happy Birthday and Meg cut the cake and served.

For the full set of my Sock Summit photos you can find them here.
The next post will be full of out takes (they will be fun), stuff I bought and stuff I didn't buy.

Portland Sock Summit Day 4 (long day, long post)

Ok, where did we leave off? Oh that is right, it is now Saturday of the Sock Summit and today is the day that I am to meet Meg Swansen. There were two major reasons I came to Sock Summit, first and foremost-Barbara Walker and second-Meg Swansen. I had a feeling that this was going to be my one and only opportunity to see these ladies and nothing was going to get in my away. I was fortunate to get a spot in one of Meg Swansen's class, however I did not get a spot in Barbara Walkers class or lecture.



So Maribel and I took the Elizabeth Zimmermann's Wearable Art Stockings and when we arrived to the class only the seats in the last two rows were open. I was a bit disappointed that we didn't get there to sit in the front but oh well. Class is about to start and the back door opens, I turn to look to see who is coming in and it is Barbara G. Walker. BGW takes a seat behind me quietly and pulls out her knitting and class starts. I have to say, Amy Detjen (Meg's assistant) IS the funniest woman in knitting.




Meg is witty, charming and knowledgeable; Amy is hysterical, but BGW is sitting behind me and it took everything I had to not just pick up my stuff and sit next to her and see what she was knitting (it was re purposed pinkish mauve yarn and she was knitting socks) , how was her lunch, what did you eat? Ya know, chat like girlfriends. It would have been rather rude to Meg if I did that, so I refrained, until there was a break....



I had this whole well thought out statement of gratitude that I was rehearsing in my head for like an hour and a half. I grab my camera, grab Maribel's arm demanding she come with me and I lean over and with a shaky smile and say,

"Would you mind terribly to pose for a photograph with me?"
She replies, "No, I would not mind."

I could not sit down fast enough, I really thought my legs were going to come out from under me. I put on my stupidest smile and Maribel snaps the photo. Then here is where I am going to regret telling you the whole story. I then slide off the chair, remain squatting in front of BGW and proceed to say,

"I have to tell you, you are THE number one reason I came to the Sock Summit." Queue the very shaky voice and tears (I mean real tears.) BGW give me a Ahh and reached over and touched my arm. I then had more brilliant words to say,

"I am going to go now, I am starting to cry."

Well I was pretty much crying already and I am pretty sure that I bolted out of the room to really get emotional.



I was over the moon! So i had to collect myself and get back to class, break was going to be over and Meg waits on no one. During class, we were witness to Meg Swansen clarifying her understanding of who invented SSK. Meg asked BGW, "did you invent SSK?" and BGW replied, "well, I suppose, I knew of no one else doing that before." And then Amy Detjen cried and the room clapped and cheered.



1. SockSummitPortland2009 073, 2. SockSummitPortland2009 074, 3. SockSummitPortland2009 072, 4. SockSummitPortland2009 071, 5. SockSummitPortland2009 070, 6. SockSummitPortland2009 069, 7. SockSummitPortland2009 068, 8. SockSummitPortland2009 067, 9. SockSummitPortland2009 066, 10. SockSummitPortland2009 064, 11. SockSummitPortland2009 063, 12. SockSummitPortland2009 067, 13. SockSummitPortland2009 064

After class we sat with Judy Becker and had an impromptu lesson on how to hand wind your yarn, I love this woman, she is great! Then we were off to dinner with the ladies of Abstract Fibers. Once we realized what time it was, we hurried off to grab the MAX to get to the Ravelry party. Once we got there albeit late, we still had some fun.



Cristi (turtlegirl71) and Stacey came with us back to our hotel for the After After Party. Well, we had a blast! There was lots of wine then more drinks just started appearing. There are pictures and video, however, I have nothing that is appropriate to share here on this blog. Believe me, knitters DO have fun! I think the video just might find its way to YouTube and become viral!

Stay tuned, there will be more to come tomorrow.

Portland Sock Summit Day 3

Ok, there is so much to say, but lets face it, you just want to see the pictures! So I will keep the talking to a minimum. First up, a Portland must...

And what does come in this pink box....

From this Portland landmark...


Jasmin with her Voodoo Doughnut

And Amanda from Lorna's Laces and Nathania Apple enjoying their Voodoo Doughnuts.

Who did I meet today? Most all of you toe up sock knitters have this lady to thank, Judy Becker of Judy's Magical Cast-on!


She was so lovely and so smart and just a great person to hang and knit with. And other people I met? How about Nancy Bush, she likes Merlot, just in case you wanted to know...


This was taken after a long day and a couple of glasses of wine. She then was heading out to dinner with Ann Budd.


Then we met up with Sandi Wiseheart, wow, she is fun to hang out with!


She and I had the same thing to eat for dinner, Lamb wants a bite too as you can see. I had dug into mine already and decided that I wanted a picture so this is really Sandi's food. It was the best Mac n' Cheese that I had ever eaten!


Besides the Mac n' Cheese, several drinks and laughs (many many laughs, whoop! whoop!) were exchanged.

My market place finds? I found this guy at Skacel knitting all these socks on one really long circular needle.


I bought yarn from Webs, yes, it is lace weight and I am at a sock knitting event, but this was an UNBELIEVABLE price and could not be turned down, seriously


Besides the lace weight yarn, I found this too.


And lets not forget some beautiful tools, these are ebony and I am in love. Now I just have to drop a stitch so I can use one, I am sure that it will happen naturally soon.


I have much more to show you. I am a day behind, sorry I am just having to much fun to keep it timely. But seriously, stay tunned, I got emotional today (Saturday) and you will find out why. It was the whole reason I came to SS09, can't wait to show you.

Portland Sock Summit Day 2

After such a long day yesterday, I slept in. The hotel that we are staying at is WONDERFUL!! We are at the Courtyard Portland City Center. If you are ever in Portland, you can't go wrong staying here. Today we went to a great cafe on the other side of the Lloyd Center called Costello's Travel Caffe, great food and drinks. After that we ran some errands and then went to the convention center and knitted, waiting for the market preview to open. Lots of new people to meet.

While we were waiting for the market to open, Meg Swansen and Amy Detjen came walking by and I wanted to just run up to Meg and proclaim my admiration of her, but my senses got the better of me, I will just wait until Saturday when I take her class....joking (maybe.)

Not much picture taking today, tomorrow will be better I am sure. But I did manage to take a picture of the hanging art/time piece at the convention center, it was intriguing.

I did buy some stuff today. I will take pictures tomorrow and put proper links to things and people tomorrow. It is late, I am full of pizza and wine and need to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be another big day!

Portland Sock Summit Day 1

Ok, got up at the ass crack of dawn (4am to be exact) after going to bed at 1:30am. I must have been really anxious for this trip. So I was very tired. I got to the airport with Maribel (my knitting travel buddy for this trip) we meet Jasmin and Gigi (The Knitmore Girls) there and while we are in the security line I look over and see this man that looks like Steve Young. So I whisper to the girls, "hey I think that is Steve Young." They looked at me like, ok, who is that? No big sports fans, so I told them who he was. We continue on, get to our gate and I see him again, this time I was for sure that it was him and he was on our flight. So I snapped a couple of pics of him, yes, I kinneared Steve Young. The photos are not quality but it was the best I could do for 5:30am.

We did not approach him for a photo or bother him for an autograph, it was pointed out ot me that 5:30am is not the best time to be bothered with something like that. I sadly agreed and boarded the plane. When we landed, we headed to the bathrooms and Steve was in front of us and as we went through a crowd of people, this guy stopped turned and looked at Steve with a perplexed expression. I looked at the man and said, "Yes, it is him" His reply, "Ok, I thought so."

So Portland is really nice, I am loving it so far. We went to breakfast here...

And then walked around a bit and headed to Powell Bookstore (wow that place is big!) and on our travels there we ran across this...

It is full of water! Promotional thing with Mountain Dew.

Ok, I will check back in for Day 2 tomorrow!!