Wednesday, October 24, 2007

KOC2 2008 - Road Trip??

It seems that Mary Colucci, the Executive Director of the Craft Yarn Council of Amerca, has been reading my mind when she wrote to me, "No one misses the New York Knit-Out & Crochet event more than I do! This month feels so weird--no Knit-Out committee meetings, no making crochet and knit starts or ordering port-a-potties!"

Yes, it does seem ___________ (insert your own adjective).  I was going to say weird too, but your adjective works just as well.  I miss the rides into NYC with Grace to attend the planning meetings, working on the starts used in the teaching tent, and preparing for the demonstrations I volunteer for.  It just doesn't seem to be Fall without the NYC KOC2 event we love so much.

So what is this crocheter to do?  Why, entertain the idea of attending the KOC2 at the Mall of America in Minnesota come February!  If I go, will you be there too?  :)

Right now Mr. Dee and I are working out the specifics -- if it's to be, of course I'll announce it here.  Don't know about the event?  Then here is the official press release from the CYCA:


Mall of America, February 16 and 17, 2008 (Presidents’ Weekend), promises to be the biggest gathering of knitters and crocheters from throughout the United States. More than 50,000 attended last year’s Great American Knit-Out and even more are expected this year.

Knit-Out highlights include:

CELEBRITY CORNER

  • Debbie Macomber NY Times best-selling women’s fiction author, known to knitters worldwide for The Shop on Blossom Street, A Good Yarn and her latest Back on Blossom Street. Debbie will share her inspirational knitting stories, talk about Warm Up America! and even give a technique demo.
  • Vickie Howell Meet author and host of the DIY Network’s Knitty Gritty series. Vickie will be on hand to talk about her latest book Knit Aid: For Knitters on the Go, filled with lots of tips and tricks for hassle-free knitting, plus she’ll talk about the latest knit and crochet fashions.

    The international finals to find the Fastest Knitter and Crocheter, cosponsored by CYCA and the UK Hand Knitting Association, will pit the fastest knitters and crocheters from the U.S. against those from the U.K., Canada, The Netherlands, and France. The competition is fierce but fun. Visitors who just want to see how fast they can go will also have a chance to test their skills.

    PLUS…
  • FREE Beginner Knitting & Crochet Lessons
  • Technique Demos – Fun tips, tricks and project ideas
  • Yarn “Doctors” – Knit and crochet experts answer your toughest project questions
  • “The Season’s Best” Fashions <LISTYLE="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffcc?>Dog Gone Cute & Crazy Fashion Show – Woof
  • Kid Cute & Crazy Fashion Show
  • Kids Crafts Area – Learn to knit, crochet and make cool stuff!
  • Show & Share – Knitters and crocheters model and talk about their favorite projects
  • Displays • Giveaways • Door Prizes

    PLUS…Sit, knit, crochet, join: Warm Up America!
  • Bring a 7” by 9” crocheted or knitted section to join into an afghan
  • Help us complete afghans for people in need in Minneapolis

    Hotel & Travel Discounts
    Because of this enormous enthusiasm for Knit-Out, CYCA, working with Country Inns & Suites, has arranged for a special Knit-Out hotel package with deeply discounted room rates:
  • Standard room with two queen-size beds is $95
  • King Suite room with a king-size bed is $105

    The hotel has a free breakfast and is within walking distance of the Mall. (It’s the closest hotel to the Mall and also provides free shuttle service.) In addition, Knit-Out visitors will receive a goodie bag with a Mall of America discount coupon book and the hotel is setting up aprivate V.I.P. lounge with light refreshments where crocheters and knitters can gather to stitch and chat 24/7. To take advantage of these special rates, reserve your room no later than December 1st. Complete event details are available at: www.Knit-Out.com or visit the hotel web site and follow the special “Knit-Out” link to make your reservation: www.countryinns.com/knit. You also can call the hotel directly for a reservation at 952-854-5555 and ask for the Knit Out group rate or Central Reservations at 1-800-456-4000.

    Special Northwest Airline Discount – US & Canada

    Working with Northwest Airlines, CYCA has arranged a Knit-Out package that offers an additional 5-7% discount. (NOTE: Not all fares qualify for a discount.) Reservations can be made either online or by calling the Airline directly. Log onto http://www.nwa.com.. Complete the information as requested on the screen and at the bottom of the page when asked for ECert fare, electronic voucher or meeting agreement, select meeting agreement and enter WorldFile # NYVFR. This will bring up your flight choices and automatically apply the meeting discount to your ticket cost. Please note that not all fares qualify for a discount and the web site will return the lowest fare available. There is no ticketing fee to book online. You also have the option of contacting Northwest Airlines at 800-328-1111 Mon-Fri 7 AM-7:30 PM Central time and referencing WorldFile Number NYVFR. However, as with many airlines, when you call and book through an agent, there is a $10 non-refundable ticketing fee assessed for tickets issued by a Northwest agent.

    Interested in volunteering to teach at the Mall of America Knit-Out, e-mail: info@craftyarncouncil.com


    Craft Yarn Council of America • Post Office Box 9 • Gastonia, North Carolina 28053-0009
    704-824-7838 or 800-662-9999 • Fax 704-824-0630 • www.craftyarncouncil.com • info@craftyarncouncil.com

  • 1 comment:

    Anonymous said...

    I just saw the latest episode of Knit and Crochet Today (I think Kentucky Educational Television is the first station in the country to start running episodes).  Brett Bara had a segment from the Mall of America's Knit Out and Crochet that was held last February.  That looked so fun.

    I'm bound and determined to make it to Minnesota this February.  I'll fly on my daughter's parent airline passes.  I'm already looking at hotel rooms at Hotwire.