PDX Knit Bloggers in their natural habitat
(slideshow)
This is a picture-heavy post. I’ve put two groups into slideshows — a few pictures from the fair are in this one, and all of the animal shots are in one at the bottom. Click on the pictures to pop them up. The slideshow controls well be available in the biggy-size. Sorry to those of you who read me in a feedreader, but this probably only works in person on the PI site.
Ah….. Oregon Flock And Fiber Festival. I love this gathering. It’s not as big as Black Sheep or some of the other fiber festivals. But it’s big enough to keep a fiber addict happy for a long time. There are tons of stuff to see and animals to pet and fiber to stroke and yarn to drool over. And did I mention soap? Or hand-blown glass knitting needles? Or books? And if you are of the carnivorous persuasion, lamb sandwiches and shish kabobs and stew. There are two large building just crammed full of booths, with the overflow in the large open area between the main buildings and the barn. Fiber judging and a finished-objects gallery are upstairs. I didn’t even get that far. I was overwhelmed by yarn fumes.
It is the overwhelmingness of the fiber fumes that I blame for falling OFFF my strict intentions for buying. I had brought only a very carefully chosen amount of cash with me, and I was on a mission. I was searching for laceweight handspun in a silk blend. And I wanted to check out a couple of the new STR colorways. And I needed to see and probably acquire Butternut Woolens Supersock in Shelly’s new colorways. And of course I wanted to see all of my blogging and fiber friends.
That was the plan. I did pretty well. Sort of. OK… I only had to whip out my credit card once because I only went a little (ahem) over budget. And maybe I had to buy a basket to take my booty home in. But, really, I think I showed admirable restraint. So here, gentle reader, is the yarn pr0n portion of our tale:
on table: natural white cashmere/silk blend from Hokulani Farms in Bend
basket, front row, l-r: 2 skeins of Butternut Woolens Supersock in Shelly’s new colorways, one skein of Monarch Fly Dyed sport weight, two skeins of Abundant Yarns & Dyeworks plant dyed Trekking – Dirty Oxblood (actually a gorgeous berry/gray mix) and Dark Seafoam
basket, back row, l-r: all from Blue Moon — Seduction in Pirates Booty, Silkie STR in Count Cluckula, STR lightweight in Gingerbread Dude, a Rare Gems and Pirates Booty (yes, liked it so much I got two)
Yesterday I bought a new bin to keep it all in. I know, I know… but really, I’m saving for retirement!
I had a wonderful, wonderful time. Monica rode down with me and was nice enough to agree to my little Canby Ferry jaunt that is sort of traditional with me when I go to OFFF. We arrived at about 8:30, to find the PDX Knitbloggers had already staked out a table. Bobbie brought our sign and placed it in a prominent location. All day people kept trying to figure out who we were and what we were doing, and were we a booth or something? Several people ventured over to ask about blogging. Many MOO cards were handed out and much fun was had.
I loved having a place to go back to and stash my stuff where I knew it would be safe and watched. And then take a turn watching while I resting my feet and chatted. Barbara spun on her really cute little wheel, and Duffy demoed a tiny little drop spindle that spun forever and ever. And there was much other spinning going on. Which made it tough to resist that particular lure. But if I started spinning I know what would happen — next thing you know I’d have a farm with sheep and goats and bunnies.
Duffy was also there to meet up with Mr. Pink, the Kidnapped Canopener, who is going to visit her for awhile. 😉
I was wonderful to meet everyone. I tried to get around to see all of the people I know, but I’m sure I missed a few. I got a wonderful hug from Shelly, who I’ve been hoping to meet for a couple of years. You must go to her website and see her lovely new colorways in subtle grays. Gorgeous.
Although the weatherman had threatened us with rain, the day was perfect: warm in the sun, cool in the shade, no rain. I’ve been to OFFF in the rain, and this was much, much nicer.
And the animals… Camels and yaks and llamas and alpacas and sheep and goats and bunnies. And probably some other that I forgot. If it makes fiber on the hoof, it was mostly likely represented somewhere in the barn.
I especially liked this little sheep wearing dreds. And several of the babies who really wanted to go home with me. But, really, the cats would have been quite surprised, I think. And my yard is so small.
I will resist the spinning virus. I will.
Monica and Bobbie rode home with me. We took the ferry again.
I arrived home yarn-dazed and fiber-high and happy.
Just a quick note. I notice your group at a table I’d been spinning at all day Friday. You might remember me asking if you’d found any glasses around it? Well evidently , one of you did because I sat down there on Sunday morning early and in the middle of the table were my glasses!! SO THANK YOU to whoever of you found them. Thought My husband would kill me fer sure. You saved my 🙂
1Remark from Annie — Monday, 9/24/2007 @ 11:20 AM
Oh, I’m so glad you found them! Cindy saw them on the ground after you had left, but we had no idea how to find you or where we should put them. Nobody seemed to know where the lost and found was (it was lost, and not found!). In the end, we just crossed our collective fingers and left them on the table. I’ve very happy to hear that they made their way home.
2Remark from Judy — Monday, 9/24/2007 @ 11:36 AM
Hi Judy, it was so nice to meet you in person after all this time, you are so warm and gracious. Happy knitting, looks like you’ll be busy….:)
3Remark from shelly — Monday, 9/24/2007 @ 2:01 PM
Oh, yes, I think I’ll be very busy! 😉
And I think I showed admirable restraint!
4Remark from Judy — Monday, 9/24/2007 @ 8:51 PM
That pic of Barbara is great! Love the animal pictures; especially “stylin’ at the fair”!
5Remark from bobbie — Monday, 9/24/2007 @ 10:26 PM
Great pix you got, Judy!! I especially love the rasta sheep – such a cutie! Thanks so much for including animal pix. I could not believe I didn’t even get to the barns, good grief. But you had pix, yay. And good to see all your new stash again; oh my, what a lovely haul. I didn’t even realize about the basket, LOL. That’s a beauty. Maybe next year… 😀
And people, I’ve gotta tell ya–aside from all the fun to be had at OFFF, Judy is a *kick* to be around. If you ever have a chance to be with her, grab it! I had such a great day, I’m *still* bouncing. (Maybe you can tell from all the exclamation points. [g]). Wowsa! Thanks much for everything, Judy! ::hugs::
6Remark from MonicaPDX — Tuesday, 9/25/2007 @ 7:13 AM
It was great fun to have you with me!
I was kicking myself after posting because I forgot to mention that you are the famous MonicaPDX! 😉
7Remark from Judy — Tuesday, 9/25/2007 @ 8:44 AM
Sounds like the perfect day! You wrote about it so beautifully that I almost felt like I was there. Well, except I have no yarn to show for it. 🙁
8Remark from ~Kristie — Wednesday, 9/26/2007 @ 8:38 AM
Your 401(k)nit is getting quite cushy, huh?
9lolol
It’s all gorgeous!
(((hugs)))
Remark from Knitnana — Wednesday, 9/26/2007 @ 10:50 AM