I have to thank my local yarn shops for posting about this event. I didn’t know it was happening until a week ahead, and in the past when I’ve seen social media posts, I always thought it was a show for the industry, like TNNA. But it’s for everyone!

I really enjoyed the workshops I signed up for. They were educational and entertaining.

Designer Xandy Peters presented on sketching. My big takeaways were sketching is not drawing, sketches should be informative, and sketching is a way to work out designs and motifs before swatching.

Charis Walker of Tarheelbilly Farm presented on Heirloom Wool Production. She talked about her Tunis sheep and raising them for wool. I found her candor and humor delightful. If you are participating in Shave’Em to Save’Em, she is an official producer of Tunis fleece, roving, and millspun yarn. You have to get on a waiting list for yarn, though (which I plan to do.) I’m also planning to find out what other breeds are in my local fibershed.

And now for what you really want to hear about, my haul!

They had a “yarn tasting” table set up, and I did try out a couple of the yarns. I liked the Modeknit yarn so much I ended up buying three skeins. I have also met Annie Modesitt before (a long time ago at a Knitter’s Review retreat) so it made me happy to buy some of her yarn.

This is called “All the Lovely Things.” I am planning to use this for half of Halvis. I’m hoping the Forbidden Fibers yarn in charcoal I received as part of my first FibreShare package will work for the other half, only I can’t remember if it is sport or fingering. Oops! Well, if it doesn’t work, I will still use this fabulous yarn for something fabulous.

This is Magpie Fibers Solstice DK in Masquerade. I like that it is a mostly domestic yarn (except for the inclusion of some silk.) I plan to make a Sixty Years sweater with it. It’s a beautiful teal color and so soft. Funnel neck here I come!

There were booths and booths of hand-dyed. Everywhere I looked it was variegated, fades, and sets of mini skeins. The color was glorious, and I’m happy to tell you that speckles seem to be on the way out. But I had rather a time finding a solid Aran weight for a Farmhouse Cardigan. (Mildlygranola is knitting one and I want to do everything she does.) I ended up with this Blue Sky Fibers Extra in Java.

I remember when they were called Blue Sky Alpaca. I found these on the Yarn Byrd’s truck, where I enjoyed shopping in what felt like a shop version of a tiny house. I think it will be perfect for this cardigan. I wanted something rustic and cozy. I also love that it’s called “Extra” because that’s a word my step daughter uses to describe someone whose behavior is a little over the top. I try to work it into my own conversation whenever I can, and now I can say I’m knitting my Extra Farmhouse Cardi. It’s so Extra. (And it really is considering it makes sweater number seven in my queue.)

Here’s my new project bag from Daisy Bags. There were a lot of great bags to choose from in the marketplace, but the quote on this one clinched it for me.

I think this is a Hermione quote. (ETA: Nope, Ginny talking about growing up with Fred and George.)

I picked up this Vogue Knitting reference for a steal. They were having a show sale.

Well that’s my yarn allowance for 2020 blown, which is fine as I have seven sweaters to knit.

I also picked up this prefelt to experiment with for my 2021 show. I had ordered from Felted Sky on Etsy so it was nice to meet them in person.

What else can I share about Vogue Knitting Live? I only went to two lectures, but they were so good, I think next time I would sign up for more. I recommend going to one of these if you have the opportunity. I think the best thing that happened to me is I reconnected with the Central Ohio Weaving and Fiber Arts Guild. I hope to start attending meetings again and rejoin.

I didn’t finish my Weekender, but here’s my progress.

There’s a good chance I could be on sleeve island tomorrow. I wore my lilac heather cumulus blouse instead, and no one commented on it (because it looked that professional, I’m sure).

I have started writing my first episode of The Just Craft. (I really need to get a post up!) My son is working on a theme song for me. I hope to get it all recorded this week. It’s probably more difficult than I think it is, but I refer you to the Ginny Weasley quote above.