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| Insouciant people with pointy sticks. What's not to like? |
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| Debbie Radtke & her famous hedgehog. |
Besides the Market and the classes, there are plenty of other activities at STITCHES South. Part of the fun is the chance to bump into famous knitters, such as Nicky Epstein or Debbie Radtke. There is lots of opportunities for networking and discovering the latest new and awesome products coming to a yarn store near you. I especially enjoyed the Friday night Pajama Party, which is held after the Fashion Show and Banquet. This is a great chance to hang out with other knitters, and you never know who will be there. One of the great moments this year was Benjamin Levisay standing up to an over-zealous security guard who felt that the party was too noisy. I'm not sure the guard was savvy. After all, he wanted 200 knitters (mostly women) with pointy sticks to be quiet. Perhaps he is not yet married and, therefore, did not have the worldly experience necessary to accurately assess the situation?
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| Jazz Turtle -- core spinning genius! |
Since I don't have a knitting BFF, I tend to drift amongst the crowd. I met Esther from Jazz Turtle Creations, mostly because she was spinning during the Pajama Party. Jazz Turtle's contribution to the Fashion Show -- the Au Natural Circle Shrug made from handspun art yarns -- caused an audible gasp in the crowd when the model stepped onto the stage. She truly looked as if she had emerged from the pages of the latest top fashion magazine. I am finding more and more than I really love my wheel. Both spinning and knitting are relaxing, but in different ways. Esther was making a core-spun yarn and it was a delight to watch her fingers making fiber magic.
During the Pajama Party mingling I also met Tracey and Kim from new STITCHES South sponsor Interlacements Yarns. Did you see their gorgeous contributions to the Extreme Stash wall?
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| Interlacements contribution to Extreme Stash. Pretty! |
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| Donna & Susan with a dapper Buck! |
As in previous years, the local guilds had booths in the Market. That's another great place for hanging out and meeting people. And, of course, it is always great to watch people walk around with fabulous knitting on their backs. You can't help but leave the show with lots of ideas about what to knit next. Southeast Fiber Arts Alliance brought the Buck. Is he great or what? His vest is hand knitted. His antler covers are the leftovers from swatching the vest. His pants are a handsome handwoven herringbone. And that shirt that matches so perfectly? One of the SEFAA volunteers hand-painted a plain shirt. And I love the tuft of chest hair!
As current president, I must say I'm very proud of North Georgia Knitting Guild. All the volunteers have been incredibly helpful and responsible. Everyone pitches in! Our booth had lots and lots of beautiful knitwear of all types. Barbara helped show off the afghan on Saturday night at the Student Banquet. Betsy Hershberg kindly drew the winning name in our afghan raffle on Sunday. And during the show, many people admired the lovely group handiwork.
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| NGKG Booth with raffle afghan at lower left. |
Atlanta Knitting Guild had some moments in the sun, too. For one thing, the framed Georgia Knit and Crochet Day Proclamation was on display in their booth. But AKG really shone at the Student Fashion Show, taking the top prize and two of the four runners-up. Just because you live in a warm climate doesn't mean you can't produce great knitting.
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| Student Fashion Show winners. |
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| Cee Cee upstages! |
Also at the Student Banquet was Cee Cee from
Elephants Remember Joplin, who is doing charity work by making knitted elephants. Cee Cee came dressed to impress at the student banquet, wearing a fabulous fascinator that would make even British royalty jealous and carrying a matching bouquet of elephants!
STITCHES South is always a great weekend and a wonderful time with knitter friends new, old, and yet to be discovered!
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