How about a recap? Warning, warning... get some coffee, or tea...its going to be a super long post!
I arrived at convention center on Wednesday afternoon to help my friend Suzi set up for her booth "The Knitting Ranch". She rolled into town in her Suburban jam packed of yarnie, yarn, yarn and luscsious Offhand Design Bags:

We promptly proceeded to build the booth in order to welcome all the lovely knitters in real Ranch Style!


Even my Mimi had a an important job to do... display this oh so prettty Shibui Eustacia Cowl:

Thursday night, of course, was the first market day for those that were taking classess over the weekend. It was quite interesting to see people walk in as we were front and center near the entrance:

As knitters walked in, you could see that they were on a mission. Making bee lines strait to their favorite vendors. We had quite a few people stop by that night purchasing some of the gorgeous bags above.
It was a crazy busy weekend. We had a really good location in front of the market place:) It got so busy at times we had to carefully manage our breaks.
Yours truly did manage to escape a couple of times. As you all know.. I have my favorites too and of course I need my fix ha ha....
So where did I stop this year?
First there was Verb... I have a thing for Kristine's yarn and Romi's Shawl Patterns!
This pretty Even Tinier Annapurna in Indigo Blue Sky is destined for a Celaeno Shawl

And this Shimmering little gold "Nugget" skein will become a Fiori di Sole

Next up a visit with Laura from Knitifacts. She has some really decadent natural fibers:
At her booth I found this super soft and cushy fiber mix in Conchita a 50/50 Alpaca and Romney blend. I have 8 oz woohoow! This is a pin drafted roving, and man I cannot wait to spin it:)
Also equally decadent -- I could not leave without at least 4 oz of Desert Sands an 80/20 mix of Alpaca and Tussah silk.......hmmm what can I make with 4 oz? I guess I could call Laura for more:)

Laura also carries the most darling stitch markers. Suzi surprised me with a Beer O'Clock mug.. Thanks Suzi! I love it:)

After Knitifacts, I headed over to Red Fish Dyeworks... I am really digging her color sense. It seems that I have now become accustomed to hoarding their 50/50 merino silk blend. Hmmmm I detect a problem here ha ha...

Then there was Becoming Art. I soooooo love Becoming Art. There is this color I have been lusting after for ages. Its called Sanguine Sky. As I was walking by, I spotted two lonely braids of it in Agave fiber. I couldn't very well leave them there... Come to mama:)

On my way back to the Knitting Ranch, I might have stumbled into Blue Moon.. You all know that Tina's yarn makes me weak in the knees:)
I was on a mission to get me some Chicken Feet yarn and pattern:) I love this new kit:

To make the slippers you will need the bits kit, a Princess of Poultry pattern, and one skein of Twisted yarn.

On Saturday, it got quite busy. Most definitely the busiest market day of all. It was pretty hard to schedule a break. However, we managed, and Suzi was gracious enough to let Raquel and I take a break together. Yes Rocky helped us out too. Thanks Rocky!
We had planned on visting Cheryl Oberle, remember... I had slaved away on that Lacy Prairie shawl:) I was determined to have her autograph my book and have her look at my shawl. I think she liked it:)

We had a great time chatting with Cheryl. What a nice lady. While there, we came across her new book on knitted jackets.
There is one jacket in particular that a few of us plan to knit soon. Its called Cusco.

This picture here does not do the pattern justice. It is much prettier in person. Particularly, the tweedy alpaca version, and a pretty green one she had in her booth. I think she used her Dancing Colors yarn for it. I can see myself knitting a couple of these. Suzi from the Knitting Ranch is also looking into yarn options to set this up as a possible future KAL. On Ravelry, Cheryl has a group for all of her patterns and fans. In this thread, you can find photos of the two sweaters that were at the show.
A few booths over, Ysolda had a photobooth set up. Such an ingenious idea. This girl really knows how to market herself. Great Job!
Rocky and I had a nice time trying on garments and taking photos with Ysolda



Aday from Verb was also there, selling Ysolda's new books (two books on right above) and she was nice and volunteered to take these photos of the three of us. Thanks Aday!
We then had to rush back over to the ranch to get back to work! Sorry Suzi... It had to be done:)
There may have been some bag hoarding involved too... Yes, its not a surprise right? Ya'll know I have a bag and shoe fettish... as a result, I have declared Suzi to be my "official" Offhand Designs Fairy Godmother ha ha....
and now for Da Bags:) My fresh new Offhand Design ponies purchased from the Knitting Ranch:
Zelda Grand in Adelaide

Mia in Ariel

Scottie in Joan

Ursula in Rose Bloom

Wait, and what's this? How did this Atenti Overnighter get in here? Oops, i might have tripped into this booth on my way back to the ranch.... I'm blaming it on the cowboy boots I was wearing over the weekend... Yes, yes, thats right... The boots made me do it! I swear:)

What a fabulous weekend.. Such a pleasure to have worked alongside Suzi and Rocky, and Suzi's cousin Julie. Thank you Ladies for the fun and GOOD TIMES!
Go Stiches West! I'm ready for the next one:) Well, maybe not so soon... My pocket book needs time to recoup ha ha....
