Monday, May 07, 2007

More Maryland

I did head for the Knit Blogger meetup on Saturday. I think I need to figure out some way to improve my mixing and mingling experience. I sat on the grass with Liz and Ann of Crossroad Knits (I already knew and loved Liz, now I know and love Ann), and they introduced me to Amy [ack, can't find the blog link] and PepperKnit. Other than that, I didn't get to chat with many other folks. There seemed to be little groups of people, all giving each other sideways glances, and I'm sure some of them were saying to themselves "Do you think she's a knitblogger?" But, alas, there was no mechanism for identifying who was and who wasn't. Eventually I just left. But not before seeing this bitchin' pair of socks:



In my wanderings, I enjoyed watching some of the craftspeople who were keeping traditional skills alive, like this basketmaker:



When I win the Powerball (I always call it "Rollerball" which drives my husband crazy), I'm going to buy an antique sock knitting machine:



Right now, the $500-1000+ pricetag will stop me from even considering it. (I'll just fantasize about it, especially when gazing upon my overflowing queue of sock yarns.)

My photos from the winners' building didn't come out well, except for this photo of a bohus-style sweater:



I ran into my favorite podcasters, Knitty D and the City, who had established a base camp on the lawn. I feel remiss in that I haven't posted them on my blog, so here:



Quite a tongue on that Knitty D, eh?

My purchases were -- for once in my life -- not excessive. In addition to some undyed stuff for the Etsy shop, I picked up some Opal Neon & Panda Cotton (on the right); some Spirit Trail yarn, also for socks (on the bottom);



and some Fiber Company yarn that was discounted (Hah!). That's it. A model of restraint, wasn't I?

Remember,

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know who those socks belong to. Check out her amazing work at On and Off the Needles. http://onandofftheneedles.blogspot.com/search/label/Turkish%20Stockings

Glad you had fun! I'm impressed with your purchasing restraint.

Carrie said...

Your pictures made me smile =) Nice yarn you've got there, too. And an antique sock knitting machine? I'd love to get to examine one of those!

Carol said...

Thanks, Becca! I was hoping someone would know her and send me the link. You read my mind.

Adrienne said...

Glad you had a good time!

Anonymous said...

A sock knitting machine is in my dreams as well. The lady at Custom Woolen Mills in Alberta has one, and just cranks out the socks on it.
I had sort of wished I'd been at the show, now that I see the basket weaver I really really wish I'd been there. Sigh.
I'm off to look at the link for the socks...thanks Becca!
Barb B.

Bridget said...

Those are pretty amazing socks, wow!

You found some great yarns, too. Now if only you had let me know that I was supposed to be on the early bus ... ;-)

Anonymous said...

here is the url to the owner of
the sweater

www.theraineysisters.com

Sherry W said...

I missed the "Lamb is Real Good" poster! I misse you too. I hardly saw anyone this year I was looking for. I think there was a Maryland Black Hole someplace.

Anonymous said...

I recognized those socks, too. Back in the depths of tax season when I was hip-deep in K-1s and 1040s, I asked on my blog for people to send me quick little day-brighteners. The first one was a link to those very stockings. They are indeed a day-brightener.

And the Bohus was knit by Sally ("Surly") of The Rainey Sisters. Susan still lives in the Twin Cities.

Carol said...

The Bohus is spectacular, too. You guys are impressive. It's like "Name That Tune" for knitting.

Unknown said...

If you ever want to play with an antique sock knitting machine (I just realized there is a funny joke in this...but maybe Marilyn wouldn't appreciate being called a machine...lol), I have a nice old Gearhart from around 1900. At one point I had it working, but it would require some cleaning and tuning if I wanted to make socks (especially if I wanted to use the ribber).

Liz K. said...

Amy is the knitter known as Eyeknit. She blogs at Two Sharp Sticks with our friend StuntMother.

I knew you'd love Ann. I mean, who wouldn't?

The Rocket Scientist said...

I saw those socks on the grassy knoll! That's the one and only blogger pic I took!

Jennifer
itisrocketscience.typepad.com

Anonymous said...

It was nice to meet you on Saturday (even if it was briefly!).

Knitty Delicious said...

Seriously my tongue is not that big. I'm just warming up for two weeks of drinking guinness

Stephanie said...

Great recap --- I was jealous of all you east-coasters...thinking about all the yarny-fun this past weekend!

Those socks are amazingly beautiful...glad someone gave a link to her site.

I've been eyeing the sock machines for quite a while now. There is a company who is producing replicas of the antique sock machines...no price break though --- starting around $1,500. I'm waiting to win the PowerBall too!

Rabbitch said...

Oh man. Those socks. I think I'm going to have to propose to her ...

And hey! Who said you could go and have fun without me?!

Carol said...

I was just rehearsing so I'd be prepared to show you a bitchin' time at Rhinebeck, missy.

Prachi said...

I think those legs, encased in the gorgeous socks, are Stacey's, at onandofftheneedles.blogspot.com.

Mac said...

I was totally one of those people on the grassy knoll checking out those socks. Heh!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for being bus captain. It was a wonderful weekend,and are you going to show us the undyed yarny goodness too?

Ann said...

It was great fun meeting you! I picked up some Spirit Trail sock yarn right after I left you. Nice stuff.

They let you be a bus captain? How cool is that! Did you get a badge?

Anonymous said...

nice loot. you're the second person i've heard of getting Fibre Company at a discount. how'd i miss that?

guess it was how i missed you too -- and i was on the lookout. i suppose that balances with the 10 times we seemed to see each other at rhinebeck.

Unknown said...

A big KC Fuck you, Joe. Antique sock knitting machine, indeed. Baby bro, wait until I get my hands on you. Heh heh. I love you, though.

Sorry, I don't care for those socks, primarily because of the colors. However, the workmanship is amazing and I give all credit to the knitter.

Not sorry I missed MD S&W--I much prefer Rhinebeck, which has nicer facilities and many of the same vendors. However, I'd like to make it back at some point. Just because.

Sunflowerfairy said...

We took a photo of the lamb poster too! It cracked us up.

Glad you had fun too.

Susan (ZenKnit) said...

Great post. Almost like being there - okay not really but.

I saw this from an email ad and thought of you - a sock knitting machine that isn't too badly priced
http://www.paradisefibers.net/Addi-Express-Knitting-Machine-p/4097.htm