Bliss-ful

One of my long-time knitting icons has been Debbie Bliss. The very first knitting book I purchased when I returned to the craft years ago was one of her very first books, New Baby Knits. I remember paging through the book longingly, wondering if I'd ever be good enough to make the garments inside (and wondering if I'd someday have kids to wear them). I was struck by the classic lines and charm of her designs; they weren't the overwrought, excessively twee sweaters I'd had as my stereotype of handknit baby sweaters. As time has gone on, I've remained a Debbie Bliss fan. I love her sensibility, her palette, her clean lines, and, of course, her yarn line. Am I gushing?

Well, if I'm gushing to you guys, imagine how I gushed when I got to meet Debbie Bliss herself. She was unbelievably down-to-earth, charming and warm. I started subtly, by saying "I love you!" to her and she responded immediately by saying "And I know I could grow to love you, too!" Huge points for the quick rejoinder. We had a lovely chat and although I fear I may have kvelled a bit too much, I did remember to get in a plug for schematics and clear photographs of the designs in all future books. (Heh.) Best of all, I left with this:



It says, "Lovely to meet you, Carol. Without you, I am nothing. Best wishes, Debbie Bliss."

It was at that moment that I began to suspect that my plane had gone down and I was in heaven.

Coming soon: Another incident with a top designer (whose initials are V.A.) leaves me certain that I am in paradise; answers to yesterday's readers' challenge...