As promised, photos.

I’ve got pictures finally!

On April 21st, I went to the Blue Grass Festival of Books to see Stephanie Pearl-McPhee aka the Yarn Harlot and Stefanie Japel aka Glampyre.

I wore my Bad Penny, which is a pattern from Stefanie Japel. When we got there, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee was signing books, so I went right away to get my copy of her newest book signed. I even got to hold her sock and she held my little beginning of a sock (which she said was cool because the beginning of a sock has so many possibilities and could turn out to be anything).

I wanted to sit in on the panel that Stefanie Japel was on, but I showed up later than expected, so I missed it. While I was waiting around for Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s talk, I was wandering around looking at the books and Stefanie Japel was gathered at her table with some other folks and I noticed them looking at my top. I got all shy about it, though. They were getting ready to go to lunch and I was hoping to get my book signed when she was back at her table. Then it was time for Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s talk. First order of business is to take photos with the sock:

If you EVER get a chance to go see her, go!! I find her to be quite funny and even Nick, the non-knitter who loves a knitter, laughed quite a bit. I didn’t get to stay for the sit and knit after her talk because we had a baseball game to get to. I did get the chance to meet Stefanie Japel, though. She signed my copy of her new (first!) book, Fitted Knits. She even told me she likes my sweater!!

How cool is it to get a photo of your finished knitted item with the designer? Seriously cool:

I’m already waiting for her second book – I’m sure it will be just as good as the first!

~~~~~

Last Sunday was Stitch ‘n Pitch. There were quite a few knitters and we all sat in the same section. We even got bags with yarn and other goodies in it! Nick and Kaylee (my sister the crocheter) went with me. Since Nick sat in the “knitter section” he got a bag, too, so I ended up with enough yarn to make a vest. Pretty sweet, eh? I got another bag they were passing out as a giveaway for people who came to the game, so I made out pretty good. The Cincinnati Reds played the Colorado Rockies and beat them 8 to 3! It was a good game and I got quite a bit of knitting done.

Here is Kaylee, me and the girl next to me is Beth, who is part of the knitting group here (we met at the yarn shop for our tickets and she rode with us from there – yay for carpooling!). I think one of the other gals in the row is part of the knitting group as well, but I don’t know her name. This was taken well before the game started, but trust me – the section was filled up soon after and there were a few rows of knitters.

Here’s the goodies I came home with:

I actually came home with 4 skeins of Cotton Fleece, but one isn’t shown in the picture because it’s nearly all used up on the project I’m working on….

Yes, I’m already knitting a pattern from Fitted Knits!

I’m working on the Back-to-School U-neck Vest. I really like how it’s coming out so far and it will be great for the summer. Totally something I can wear to work, which is great. I have a feeling it will be a quick knit for me. I started it on Tuesday and I’m halfway through the body portion.

My socks, though, have not seen much love since I started this vest. Neither has my sweater, but I’m counting on my sweater to be my long term project for a while to come. I plan on working on it most of the summer as my “big project” since I won’t really be able to wear it until after summer anyhow. The vest, though will get plenty of wear during the summer, so I’m all for working on it!

Anyone else participating in Sockapalooza 4? I’m pretty excited about it, but I haven’t even begun thinking of a yarn or pattern. Mostly because money is a little tight at the moment and between work and unpacking, my knitting time is limited.

Well, I’m going to relax a bit and watch the NASCAR Busch race. Happy crafting!