IT'S FESTIVAL TIME

This is the festival that starts off my knitting festival season. http://sheepandwool.org

I had the pleasure of attending the Maryland Sheep & Wool this past weekend, with my group the Knatural Purls.

Knatural Purl Gurlz

I gotta tell you that I have been going for at least 6 years now and it never disappoints.
It's just great to be amongst all those crafters and everyone is talking crafty talk, wearing crafty garments and buying crafty things.  You get to see people that you only chat with on Social Media.  It's just soooooo much fun. 

Outlander Chevron Shawl

First stop was Bijou Basin they have the most awesome yarn and Carl always has a big smile, a firm handshake and great conversation
http://www.bijoubasinranch.com

When the Cowl'd Wind Blows

Dragonfly Fibers (https://www.dragonflyfibers.com) was packed to the gills.  I didn't get to see her offerings, but I did get to have a quick chat with Kate about a design that I did with her Traveller yarn.
The pattern There Be Dragonflies is always a big hit at festivals.

Karida Collins
Neighborhood Fiber Co

Neightborhood Fiber Co  had it goin on too. That little tent was jumping and she had some great designs and beautiful yarn. There is also a wonderful MKAL going on in her Ravelry group with designer RosiG... the MKAL is almost over but the pattern is still for sale and there are lots of lovely pictures showing the progression of the beaded shawl.  

NFC & RosiG Spring MKAL
(http://www.neighborhoodfiberco.com)

Indian Lake Artisans (http://www.indianlakeartisans.com)
make hexagonal knitting needles. They were the nicest people and I enjoyed working with the needles. I purchased the maple wood needles because the size I needed only came in that bark but I really loved their cherry wood needles. Can't wait to start knitting with them. They also make fabulous yarn bowls.

Dances with Wools

Unfortunately, I didn't get to visit one of my favorites; Sheep Incognito. If you aren't familiar with this company please allow me to familiarize you. They have the cutest sheep artwork and I always look forward to seeing the new offerings.  https://www.sheepincognito.com
see aren't they cute?

Frog it All

Hold the presses!
I need you to sit down when I drop this next bomb on ya...

MY HAUL! Miss Babs; Joji Locatelli 3-Color Cowl pattern;
Indian Lake Artisan needles; Neighborhood Fiber Co T-Shirt; 

Miss Babs did NOT, I repeat did NOT have a long line wrapped around the barn when I went there. As a matter of fact, I was second in line WHOA!!!! If you have ever attended a festival where Miss Babs was a vendor, you know that NEVER happens! Guess it was my lucky day :)
Those three skeins of yarn in my haul are dreamy. They are a cashmere silk blend and OH SO SOFT!
Treat yourself to some.
Yarn: Miss Babs Sojourn
Pattern: Joji Locatielli 3-color Cashmere Cowl

Today is the first day of Spring...
Athough it's snowing outside in the wonderful NY and TriState area, I am still excited about the possibilities of Spring.

I can't help but swoon over all the meetups I can attend. My own SSK's (Sit, Sip, Knit) will be back on the menu.  The Knatural Purls haven't gotten together since Christmas... OH MAN! I am waaaay excited. You can't forget all the cool "Springy" stuff you can knit now... Shawls. Stoles,  light sweaters, halter tops and so much more.

Let's not forget all the impromptu meetups because of the warm weather and outside knitting... OH the possibilities are endless.

In Other News...
I finally got my Yarnit! What can I say? Everyone was right, this is the best thing since knitting needles :)  If you get a chance to get a Yarnit! Get it. 
www.theyarnit.com


On the Needles...

I am STILL working on the Spectra by Stephen West.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spectra

It's my out and about project. I have quite a ways to go but I enjoy the project and it's pretty mindless knitting. I also have a few designs in the works that I hope to publish soon.

So What's on YOUR needles/hooks and what crafty goodness 

are you looking forward to this Spring?

Vogue Knitting Live Jan 17th - Jan 19th

This past weekend and for four  of its five years,  I had the opportunity to attend Vogue Knitting Live.

This knitting event happens in the NY area, the third weekend in January. For the past two years it's been held at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Knitters from near and far come together for classes, latest technology and yarny goodness. It's an opportunity to hob nob, rub elbows, take classes and take selfies with local and national Knitterati. Most notable Shirley Paden, Stephen West, Vicki Howell, and Norah Gaughan to name a few. We also got up close and personal with well known local designers RosiG of RosiG Designs, Tee Rivers of Tranquil Rivers, Steve Malcolm of ItTakesBallstoKnit.com and many others.

VKLive is also the time to see new yarny goodness. Dragonfly Fibers knows how to do that very well.  This year's offering Nautilace, they couldn't keep it on the shelves. A 400 yard skein of silk and camel.  All I can say is MMGood!!! This year's show stealer, however,  was a totally new gadget called TheYarnIt! This cutey patootie is rated as a Gotta Have It.  The YarnIt! holds your yarn,  your needles, your stitch markers and even has an over the shoulder strap so your knitting can travel with you. The YarnIt! also fits in your car's cup holder for those of you that like to knit at red lights :-)

Now all that is good stuff... but for me, FOR ME?!  Le pies de resistance is my Knatural Purls group. My knitting family is everything.  We spend a great deal of time chatting throughout the year, and we have a few meet ups along the way, but VKLive allows us ALL to get together; from PA to MA, even as far away as Vancouver we were in there.

So when you hear that VKLive is coming through your area, make it a point to get there and make it a new meet up for your favorite Knit folks. 

You're welcome.