Wow! So much to tell you... I can tell you about my 4-day experience over a month's worth of blog posts! I know you want to hear about my classes and marketplace, but you know what's the best experience? The sock knitters around me. I have to say that Sock Knitters are the best kind of people in the world! In those few days, I'd forgotten about my life back here in Minnesota, my job, and sometimes, my family. Everyone was so friendly. You feel like you know everyone. And they feel like they know you. Today, I would like to talk about the people I was with.
First of all, there's my roommate. I have never met Denise (nanaknitssocks) until the day we spent the night together. We learned that we will be staying in the same hotel and we were both weary about sharing a room with a stranger. I spoke to her on Tuesday - the day before we met. And right then, we decided we would share a room. She was very easy going. We each saved $250 on hotel for sharing a room. Yep - we spent the savings at Marketplace! Denise is from Iowa.
Then, there's Dianne (woohoogirl). We had known each other from several sock knitting boards and we read each other's blogs. She saved me a seat at the Chrissy Gardiner's class and we just talked as if we've been friends for years! Dianne is from New Hampshire.
I didn't get to take a photo with Carrie (irishgirlieknits), but I took one of her and Dianne. Carrie is from California.
There were several group of people I wanted to meet. One was from the Hazel Knits group. Among them, Wendee, Hazeknits herself. We've communicated via emails, messages for the last 3 years and it was a treat to finally meet her! Wendee hails from Seattle, Washington.
And Dorie (Sweebeej - ok - the links are too much work!) Dorie designed a hat kit with Hazel Knits yarn that sold out the first day of Marketplace! She came up to me during the stitchmarkers swap. Dorie is from Washington.
From the Sanguine Gryphon group, I had dinner with one group at a Thai restaurant, Pok Pok. After dinner, we sat at a picnic table enjoying an almost perfect evening. Here we are with ActinideLady (Karen) - Washington, Rosiekitty (Leah) - Oklahoma, and dljacob (Dana) - WAshington.
Tanasay (Tan) came up to me on the very first day and introduced herself. She had been a Bugga Swap Partner. Tan is from Utah.
Leslie415 rushed up to me and told me "you are not chubby!"... and then, she disappeared. I don't remember what she looked like. Stephiegirl and her daughter and granddaughter, I saw a few times, but I wish I had spent more time with them! I saw Peachesforever from SKA several times. Love her Texan accent. And as I was waiting to go to Dim Sum on Saturday, two ladies came up to me and asked if I was Christine. Yes! And you ladies are? They are Gail (neuroknitter) and Jen (woolgirl). I have them on my list of people I want to meet. So glad we snapped a photo! Gail and Jen are both from Oregon.
At Dim Sum, I sat next to akcabingirl (Robin) and her mom, Diane. Robin was on my list of people I hope to meet. Robin, Diane, and I spent Saturday afternoon exploring downtown. We went to Knit Purl, Button Emporium, and Saturday Market. I will always remember those few hours we spent together. Robin is from Alaska.
And here is a foreigner who was not too busy to pose for a photo with me. I'm still giddy thinking I've spoken to her. My regret is not taking a photo with Tina Newton. Stephanie Pearl McPhee is from Canada! (YarnHarlot)
OK - we're getting to the big guns now. During the Opening Session, Dianne and I grabbed our seats on a table on the second row. Right next to us was a reserved table. Among those seated in this horrible photo were JC Briar (turquoise shirt), Anna Zilboorg, Cookie A, Janel Laidman, Ann Budd, Nancy Bush, Clara Parkes.
I also went up to Anne Hanson and spoke to her. Her voice was of a higher pitch than I expected. But I was so giddy to be talking to a person whose blog I had been following. I don't know if I was coherent at all. Do you guys feel that way when you come up to talk to me?
Then, there are the teachers... My first clas was with Janel Laidman. She was so down to earth and knows so much! Awesome teache!
In the afternoon, I took a class from Chrissy Gardiner. I didn't recognize her! I met her 2 years ago when she came to Minnesota. She was originally from here, but have moved to Portland. She has a different hairstyle and had lost 35 lbs so when I first walked into the classroom, I thought she was just a helper! She signed my Master Sock book as I already have her autograph from the Toe Up book and took a photo with me:
And finally, the last day, I was in Cookie's class. I got her a voodoo doll doughnut that she had for "brunch". We later went to Burgerville for Breakfast. I didn't take a photo with her as I already had a photo with her from 2 years ago. But I have a photo of her with a doughnut and a Monkey sock. What could be better than that? Cookie knows so much and you just want to know how her brain works!
There are a few more people whom I don't have photos of. I wish I had taken more photos of people. I'm sorry if I forgot to mention you. I had to rely on my photos whom I met. And Cat (CatSaysKnit) and I spent a few hours in the train and waiting for our flight back to Minneapolis. Cat is in my knitting group, but we hardly spent time together in Portland. We just bumped into each other... But we shared Sock Summit II together! I also wish I had the courage to go up to talk to Cat Bordhi. I saw her several times, but she was busy talking to others...
So, what else do I want to tell you about Sock Summit? The classes, the food, and more about Marketplace and YARN!
