It’s the middle of summer, and my knitting adventures are really taking off! I got home on Sunday night, got to spend a full day at home on Monday, and then I flew out to Portland for Sock Summit yesterday to be re-united with Anne. I’ve decided to try to be a little more organized this time around. At the last Sock Summit, I was so overwhelmed, I’m not sure I knew where I was at any given moment, and I only made it into a few booths. This year I’ve compiled a list of booths I simply must stop by, and I’ll be meeting up with Sock Club members between classes on Friday.

Here’s my market place game plan:

A Verb for Keeping Warm – I know AVFKW is local to me, but Kristine always makes such great booth displays that I really must check it out. Her naturally dyed yarns are unique and made with great care. There won’t be anything else like it at the show. Also, if I’m in need of a pick me up, I know I can count on hugs here.

Anzula – I first learned about Anzula through Janel Laidman who is a sock addict of the highest caliber. She waxed poetically about a cashmere blend sock yarn she’d scored and then brought me to the Anzula booth at a TNNA show. She was right. Anzula has a large variety of yarn bases, dyed in beautiful semi-solid colors.

Dublin Bay – The local Portland yarn shop will be setting up booth in the market place and Felicia Lo of Sweet Georgia Yarns will be there with her gorgeous yarns while not in class.

Hazel Knits – Tight twist merino / nylon blend sock yarn that is a sock knitter’s dream come true. Plush to knit but definitely durable, I love everything about the Artisan sock yarn. Wendee’s colors are spot on, and the yardage is great.

Indigo Moon – Another natural dyer, I find Trish’s colorways rich and vibrant. The last time I saw Trish was at her studio on Gabriola Island as a complete chance encounter during a visit to my mother-in-law.

Indigodragonfly – A generous sock clubber gifted me a skein from indigodragonfly, and let me tell you, it is gorgeous. I want to see more!

Miss Babs – Whatever color you want, Miss Babs has it in spades. Her booth is always arranged in a beautiful spectrum of color. I just love walking amongst the color choices.

Sanguine Gryphon – Bugga! Bugga bugga bugga! ’nuff said.

The Plucky Knitter – I was lucky to get a skein of some Plucky Knitter yarn when I was in NY, and of course I immediately checked out the Etsy shop because the yarn is so wonderfully soft and plush and wonderful. Unfortunately, the shop was sold out! But yay, I can take a look at Sock Summit. I’m so excited!

So the above list is yarns I’ve worked with but want to see more of, and here’s a list of dyers I’m curious about based on their pretty ads on Ravelry: Ms. Gusset, Stricken Smitten, and Three Fates Yarns.

I’m pretty sure I’ve missed some folks from my list. What are your must see yarns at Sock Summit? And even more importantly, what will you wear?!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 at 4:51 pm and is filed under Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.