Sunday, September 28, 2008

The Knit and Crochet Show

On this weekend of the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival (OFFF), people from the Pacific Northwest will be focusing on that extravaganza of fiber, felting, weaving, knitting and crocheting and they will most likely be thinking, "Huh. The Knit and Crochet Show. That's so two weeks ago!" But for me, I'm still smiling and reminiscing about the TKCS.


I took only three classes although I certainly could have filled my schedule up with all sorts of classes and tutorials every day. The class on figuring out the math (remember that I wrote about it in my fave five?) was exceptional and was taught by Edie Eckman who has a newly published book on crochet, Beyond The Square Crochet Motifs. She is also the author of The Crochet Answer Book. Eleanor sat in on a couple of my classes with me.



The MarketPlace was a maze of magical fiber, patterns and samples.


I was drawn in to the Habu booth sort of like a metal pin to a magnet. Oh my! What beautiful yarn. The sample sweaters and scarves were begging to be touched, stroked and examined. My credit card was burning a hole in my bag. But I resisted. I can't believe it, but it's true. Oh how I wanted that yarn! I found Teresa Ruch's booth and gazed at her vibrant colorways. I introduced myself as a friend of Roxie's who had won a skein of Teresa's blue bamboo yarn. I also bought another skein in that blue colorway. The only other items I bought were some Pure and Simple sweater patterns that MamaMia and I have been looking for. I found them at FiberRhythm, an online store run by two sisters, Dawn and Diane, who just happened to be sitting at our table Saturday night with Flower and me!






I met a fellow blogger who was there at the MartketPlace with her husband who makes incredibly beautiful wooden needles and crochet hooks. Wanda at FiberJoy and I had our photo taken together. I didn't have much time to chat because she was busy 'working' at the Stitch Diva booth.



On Saturday night Flower and I attended the award dinner


and I got called up on the stage to get my master knitter pin. That was THE highlight of the evening for me, (right there on the platform next to Mary Scott Huff, on the same stage where The Crochet Dude and Lily Chin were standing)


although the fashion show was a close second.




I have to say that this white short row cape/shawl was THE hit of the fashion show.



This crochet shawl (and several other pieces) was modeled by a new friend I met in Edie's class. We exchanged emails and blog addresses and when I got home, I couldn't find her email address! So, Betsy, if you read this, please let me know what your email is!

26 comments:

FiberDawn said...

Hi Willow! You don't know it, but after you left the dinner, you got a door prize! Dianne picked it up for you and then gave it to me to find you. (I also have your scissors). I just saw it today on the kitchen counter and thought, I need to find her!

Now that I've read your piece about the classes and everything, I think you'll be happy to know that the door prize was none other than "Beyond the Square. Crochet Motifs" by Edie Echman!

Send me an email (Dawn at FiberRhythm.com) and we'll figure out how to get this back to you!

roxie said...

So there I was, mooching around the Flock and Fiber Fest, when a lovely woman came up to me and said, "Are you Roxie?"

I have NO memory for names and faces so the fact that I didn't recognize her right off wasn't surprising, but she must have read on my face how on the inside I was desperately flipping through the mental rolodex crying out, "Who the hell is THIS?" while on the outside I was smiling and saying, "Yes, I am." She very kindly told me, "I'm Willow's sister."

"You're Flower! I've never met you, have I? How did you know it was me?"

"Willow said you were tall and probably would be wearing a hat."

She's delightful, Willow! Thank you for giving me such a nice surprise!

Knitting Linguist said...

How fun! What a wonderful gathering of fiber artists (and you got to see Wanda!). Congratulations on getting your Master pin -- what a huge achievement.

Lovella ♥ said...

Willow, what a wonderful display of knits. .the fashion show must have been like eating cheesecake. . well I'm thinking in my terms. I did note that Eleanor was sporting a new sweater for her trip to the northwest. .smart little bunnie that one.

Bethany said...

I love that last shawl!!! It's gorgeous!! I'm so happy to hear that you had so much fun! Do you read Rebecca's blog at Poshyarns? She has done a lot of knitting with habu fibers! That's the only reason I know what it is. Christmas is coming! Maybe Santa will bring some for you! ;)

Marg said...

Sounds like a fun way for a weekend.
I love the way Elizabeth escorted you. How cute.
My favorite sweater is the one with blue sleeves and red. I love it. so colorful.

Jane said...

Sounds like a perfect day out, congratulations on your master knitter pin. Jane x

Barbara said...

Oh! My! Eleanor's got a new jacket.

Vry interesting jackets in the show.

Islandsparrow said...

Congratulations on receiving your master knitter's pin!!

Looks like you a wonderful time!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

So many beautiful knitted and crochet creations! Looks like you had awionderful time.
Congratulations on receiving your master knitter pin! Your work is beautiful!

HUgs, Pat

ellen b. said...

Looks like you were busy, busy with new things to learn and see. The dessert plate looked yummy. Are those knitting needles and were they on the dessert plate or did you place them there :0)
How fun to find out you won a door prize too!! See ya later...

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful day you had. Well done on your award. So many lovely and original knitted and crocheted designs. Thanks for sharing.

Tracy said...

Ooooo...that's my kind of outing!! So glad you had a grand time, Willow...And Elizabeth too ;o) Thanks for sharing your impressions with these photos!! Must say I love that white short row cape too--stunning! This post has me wanting to knit something--NOW! LOL! Happy Days, my friend ((HUGS)) Oh, if you get a chance to stop by--I'm having a fun giveaway this week :o)

Bumpkin Hill said...

I just found your blog from Tracy's at Pinkpurl. sounds like you had a fabulous time, love your knitted bunny :) Catherine

Anonymous said...

Hi! What an incredibly talented group of people -- you included, of course! The pieces are all so beautiful!!! My grandmother taught me to knit and to crochet -- but I have found cross-stitch easier for me (though definitely not as practical -- can't wear a tea-towel :) ) Blessings, Laurie

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Oooooo, I really LOVE that last shawl! So beautiful!

And, are those knitting needles with glowing tips on the dessert plate? At first I thought they were chopsticks till I noticed the tapered points. My, my! So much has changed in the knitting world since the last time I tried it (1967)!

TYRA Hallsénius Lindhe said...

Looks like you had a great time! Very nice and creative. Congratulations to your Master pin.

Flower said...

How exciting to win a door prize. Crochet Motifs might just get you going in that direction!
Would you like the pictures I have of your pinning?
You certainly shined up on the stage!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hope the polenta dish came out well Willow!

HUgs, Pat

Heather said...

Congrats and WOW. I'm so proud of you. Of course I always thought you were a winner! I love that bunny.

Deb said...

I love the white shawl! Beautiful workmanship across the board. I spent my weekend at our Fair and I loved the crafts building - you would love it also. It is full of incredible articles that were knit, crocheted, and handsewn - I was in awe the whole time. You have met so many wonderful friends through knitting and blogging - lucky lady!

Elizabeth said...

What talented people you must have met.
Some beautiful garments.
I'm just back from England where I went to tea with Barbara and had a lovely day.
Greetings from New York.

Beatriz said...

I just signed up for a figuring out the math with Edie Eckman! I'm looking forward to that class. It's offered at Stitches West 2009.

Beatriz said...

Congratulations on your Master Knitter pin!

Beatriz said...

Look up Knitting Universe for info on Stitches West 2009. I did go last year and it was amazing. It's held at Santa Clara Convention Center. Let me know if you're interested in going.

Anonymous said...

What a fun event and congratulations on your pin! I love all the pieces!