Stitches East 2005

The three-plus hour drive to Atlantic City, NJ, did not seem as long as it was.  I rode with two other HHCC members, Grace and Celeste, and we were filled with excitement of what treasures, and what people, we'd find at this annual event.

I am fortunate enough to live in an area where I can travel short distances to get what's "common," so I always go to this event with the mindset to find what's unusual, what's new to me. 

Let's study my photo for a moment. (you can click onto it to make it larger)  Is there anything there "new to you" too?  I bet you're looking at my mammoth sized crochet hooks, huh?  LOL  Yes, they're the largest hooks in my collection.  They're hand turned by Jenkins -- these are sized "T" (22mm) and "U" (the Tunisian cabled hook).

As I stood in line to pay for my new wooden treasures a woman stood behind me and said, "Twenty-six dollars for a crochet hook?  That's expensive!  I'd never pay that much money for a crochet hook!"  I smiled, turned to her and said, "It's not manufactured, it's hand turned AND a rare size."  "What would I need a hook that size for," she inquired.  "For those projects on the quick!  With large fibers, or for those long eyelash yarns to make very lacy projects," I answered.  "Oh," she said softly.  Next thing I know, she's checking out the hooks for herself!  ((grins))

Looking back at the photo, did you see my new jewelry?  I have a bracelet that says "Yarn Whisperer" and crochet hook earrings.  As well as a stamp with a crochet hook, at the same vendor I got little notepads:  "I'm on this row," "Gauge is not a four letter word," and "Crocheters are Happy Hookers."  I had a great conversation with their rep, Mary, and she promised to look into offering more crochet theme goodies.  I'm looking forward to hearing from her!

Over at Linda's booth I got two roving bundles of colors from soft blue to purple.  I intend to crochet them unspun and crochet/felt up a crochet cowgirl hat for my daughter -- as a Christmas gift for her.  So shhhhh!  Don't let the cat out of the bag and let on that you all know!  I want my daughter to be surprised!  (The real trick is to find a pattern, or to create one if need be.)  Linda also had beautiful crochet hooks on display -- including crochet hook earrings.  She said she'd discuss with her husband Tom in creating a purple-color them pair for me.  I can't wait!  There's nothing like coordinating your crochet jewelry to your Crochet Club's T-shirt when doing demos!  heh heh heh

Look back at the photo; do you see those little blue "chips?"  Those are from the Trendsetter folks and it's a pretty cool notion if I do say so myself.  They're used along with your trim (fringe) to add a little glitter & pizzazz to your work.  I bought two little packages and intend to add them to a scarf I'm working on.

Did you see my new book markers -- the sheep & the frog?  Yeah, I think they're cute too.  What's not in the photo is a little sheep pin I also picked up.  (I already pinned it to my hat; you can see me wearing it next weekend at the KOC2).  The vendor had some beautiful crochet hooks on display, but since they had thumb rests I passed on them.  I need hooks with a full body.   

The last item I'd like for you to look at is the white yarn at the bottom of the picture.  Go ahead, turn off the lights.  It's "glow in the dark" yarn!  Oh, hmmm, I guess you won't be able to see that it glows because it's just a picture.  That's OK, you can order some for yourself through the woolstock folks. 

The only part I didn't like was the news that the Stitches East event will be moving next year -- in both time and location.  It will be held in Baltimore, MD (a five-plus hour one way drive) and will be in November (possible snow time).  I plan on writing them and letting them know I prefer the New Jersey location & time.  Maybe if enough of us do so, they'll consider moving it back for 2007.  One can hope, right?