Garden of lit trees in Phoenix.
TNNA in Phoenix was a whirlwind. The yarn was amazing, the patterns were ultra cool, and the people were awesome. I don't know where to begin.
Within seconds of arriving at our hotel, I met Pam Wynne of February Lady fame and Caro of Ravelry Shop fame. Then we ended up sitting next to each other at lunch at The Arrogant Butcher (highly recommend!). While at lunch, the Ravelry folks walked in with Ysolda Teague. I got to chat with Sarah from Ravelry for a few minutes and see Carson (who is so much bigger than 6 weeks ago - forgot how quick they grow at that age).
Within seconds of arriving at our hotel, I met Pam Wynne of February Lady fame and Caro of Ravelry Shop fame. Then we ended up sitting next to each other at lunch at The Arrogant Butcher (highly recommend!). While at lunch, the Ravelry folks walked in with Ysolda Teague. I got to chat with Sarah from Ravelry for a few minutes and see Carson (who is so much bigger than 6 weeks ago - forgot how quick they grow at that age).
Jessica Knits - Scottsdale, AZ
After lunch, we had just enough time for a quick trip up to Scottsdale to visit Jessica Knits. Well the trip part was not quick. A 30 minute taxi ride later, we arrived at one of the most adorable yarn shops I have ever been in (and if you know me, that is saying a lot). We made a turn around the shop, dropped a load of cash, and rushed back downtown for classes. I came away with a copy of Rowan Magazine Number 50 and some worsted weight Colinette.
On Friday the Market Floor officially opened with a Fashion Show. As with any fashion show, there were pieces we loved, pieces we hated, and pieces we scratched our heads at. The color trends for Spring/Summer are beautiful - think of psychedelic jellybeans. And the fiber trends are all about light, draping, breezy fabrics - perfect for our Arkansas summers. (Have I mentioned that knitting is not just for the winter months?)
On Friday the Market Floor officially opened with a Fashion Show. As with any fashion show, there were pieces we loved, pieces we hated, and pieces we scratched our heads at. The color trends for Spring/Summer are beautiful - think of psychedelic jellybeans. And the fiber trends are all about light, draping, breezy fabrics - perfect for our Arkansas summers. (Have I mentioned that knitting is not just for the winter months?)
Classic Elite Wall of Color
Most everyone was there - Classic Elite, Madelinetosh, Berroco, Koigu, Lorna's Laces, Sweet Georgia, Imperial Farms, Lantern Moon, Rowan, ShiBui, Debbie Bliss, Noro - I could go on and on and on. But Market wasn't as overwhelming as I thought it would be. I think it helped that I couldn't buy for myself personally. It was interesting to see how the yarn companies see themselves. What I mean is - their booths reflect the image that they want to sell us. For example, Berroco's booth was very simple with each garment hung on a wooden hanger. It was sturdy and reliable just like their yarn. Rowan was a dream of quiet living in the English countryside. All their garments were on mannequins with complete outfits just like in their books. Knit Collage, a new yarn company with cool novelty yarns, had funky mannequin heads to display their hats and headbands.
I got tattooed in the Soak booth and I kind of wanted to make it permanent. (My husband joked that it could be the start of a sleeve). We hung out with the girls from Imperial Yarn (look for a post later this week about them) and oohed and aahed at their yarn, patterns and sheep. We saw some crazy yarn with feathers from Pagewood Farms. We drooled over Koigu and Lorna's Laces (hi to Richard and Amanda). We ended up back at ShiBui's booth a couple of times and I can't wait for you to see their new patterns and yarns.
And we did make it over to the needlepoint side of things. I knew that there was a lot of needlepoint out there but until you visit market, you don't realize how much. Row after row and booth after booth of beautiful handpainted canvases. You name it and they've got it.
And we did make it over to the needlepoint side of things. I knew that there was a lot of needlepoint out there but until you visit market, you don't realize how much. Row after row and booth after booth of beautiful handpainted canvases. You name it and they've got it.
Berroco's Yarn Bar
We spent a bit of time at Berroco's Yarn Bar. We tasted all the new yarns they have coming out this season and guess who was one of the bartenders - Norah Gaughan! Yes, I got to hang out with Norah Gaughan. She is so personable and down to earth. I've loved her patterns for years and now that I have meet her, I love them even more. I thought the Yarn Bar was such a cool idea that you might see it at The Yarn Mart soon. Yarn tasting anyone?
Gillian (seated on floor) with Cindy and Amy
And last but certainly not least, I want to introduce you to Gillian from Surrey (that's in England). She is the owner of a LYS and the creator of needle felting kits called GillianGladRag. The kits are so unique and fun. She has everything from birds and flower pins to purses and cell phone covers. We laughed and joked with Gillian and her business partner, Caroline, for a good long while. Well long enough to make plans to go and have drinks that evening. We met them at the rotating restaurant on the top of the Hyatt Regency and we chatted about everything from Downton Abbey (Cindy and I weren't going to miss it) to families and yarn.
TNNA was a wonderful experience. I feel that I understand the world of yarn better for having gone. Now if I can only remember the names of all those patterns that I can't wait to start knitting.
TNNA was a wonderful experience. I feel that I understand the world of yarn better for having gone. Now if I can only remember the names of all those patterns that I can't wait to start knitting.
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