Knitting in Public Day
After a particularly turbulent flight on a very small plane (imagine being packed into a tin can and shaken severely for 30 minutes) I arrived in a very rainy and wind-blown Sydney. I had a nice leisurely breakfast, then wandered up to visit Tapestry Craft before my sister came to meet me (she's a non-knitter, and less than tolerant of the ways of yarn).
It's at this point that I feel I must make a confession. Hello, my name is Michelle, and I bought some yarn.
I justify my purchase on the following grounds:
1) This is yarn for a 'project in progress' (the Lizard Ridge Blanket) and therefore exploits a loophole in my yarn diet. (We'll ignore the fact that this project will be 'in progress' for about the next two years).
2)The yarn was on sale, at 20% off. If I held off on buying it until after my yarn diet was over, I'd be losing money in the long run. (Work with me here).
3)The yarn is insanely beautiful. How could I not buy it?
After that little transgression, I met up with my sister and we did some serious shopping. I bought some shoes, some sheet music, large quanitites of american confectionery (Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the best thing ever. How did I not know about these before?) and a $30 formal dress for a performance in a couple of weeks. At 2 o'clock we checked into our hotel, where I left my sister* and headed on down to the Opera House.
Despite the horrible weather, a decent group of Knitters (note the capital 'K') had gathered.
Upon my arrival, I was immediately recognised by Kate who- get this- recognised me by my Central Park Hoodie. It was both very cool and a little disconcerting.
I was also immediately introduced to David Reidy. JenWren got a photo of the momentous occasion. (If you follow the link, you'll notice that my hair is plastered down to my head. That's because I'd just walked through a freakin' squall to get there, and hadn't even had a chance to sit down yet.)
Knitters, knitters everywhere. Can I just say how incredible it was to talk with these people about Blue Moon, Ravelry and Barbara Walker, and having them know- and care- what I was on about? It was very normalising and liberating.
I met lots of terrific people, including Mary-Helen, the Godmother of Sydney knitting (I was repeatedly told that Godmother was not meant in the 'Fairy Godmother' way, but rather the 'You cross me, and you sleeps with the fishes' Godmother way. I dropped a stitch in front of her. My knitting career is over), Charisse (who was knitting with some fabulous Blue Moon Socks that Rock), Madoka (whose crocheted Amigurumi toys were so cute they gave me a little cramp), Andrew, Gemma, Lara (the Disco Knitter), the sadly blogless Erin (who was knitting with a gorgeous wool/silk blend), Kris (the event organiser and crack dealer proprietor of Tapestry Craft), and and many others. If you were there and I've missed you, my apologies! Let me know in the comments.
I may have had one or two beers.
Here, David records the essay for this week's episode of Sticks and String. If you listen closely, I can be heard talking in the background- but so can everyone else who was there, so it won't help you identify me much. (At the start of the essay, I can be clearly heard in the background saying 'I know'. I don't know what I was saying it about, though). Thanks also to David for his lovely comments about me on the show. I'm blushing.
Eventually the weather turned even colder, so we packed up and said our goodbyes. I rejoined my sister at the hotel, and we ventured out to the Lowenbrau for several steins of frosty goodness (there are no pictures. This is a very, very good thing). Let's just say that Sunday morning's awakening was... difficult, to say the least.
Sunday was spent avoiding bright lights, shopping at markets, and watching Shrek the Third (good movie, if occasionally a bit hokey. See it if you haven't already), and travelling back home with heavier bags- and lots of good memories**.
*I left her with copious amounts of chocolate and access to a luxurious bath and movies on demand. She was perfectly happy to stay.
** Well, except for Saturday night, where my memory gets a little blurry.
It's at this point that I feel I must make a confession. Hello, my name is Michelle, and I bought some yarn.
I justify my purchase on the following grounds:1) This is yarn for a 'project in progress' (the Lizard Ridge Blanket) and therefore exploits a loophole in my yarn diet. (We'll ignore the fact that this project will be 'in progress' for about the next two years).
2)The yarn was on sale, at 20% off. If I held off on buying it until after my yarn diet was over, I'd be losing money in the long run. (Work with me here).
3)The yarn is insanely beautiful. How could I not buy it?
After that little transgression, I met up with my sister and we did some serious shopping. I bought some shoes, some sheet music, large quanitites of american confectionery (Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the best thing ever. How did I not know about these before?) and a $30 formal dress for a performance in a couple of weeks. At 2 o'clock we checked into our hotel, where I left my sister* and headed on down to the Opera House.
Despite the horrible weather, a decent group of Knitters (note the capital 'K') had gathered.
Upon my arrival, I was immediately recognised by Kate who- get this- recognised me by my Central Park Hoodie. It was both very cool and a little disconcerting.I was also immediately introduced to David Reidy. JenWren got a photo of the momentous occasion. (If you follow the link, you'll notice that my hair is plastered down to my head. That's because I'd just walked through a freakin' squall to get there, and hadn't even had a chance to sit down yet.)
Knitters, knitters everywhere. Can I just say how incredible it was to talk with these people about Blue Moon, Ravelry and Barbara Walker, and having them know- and care- what I was on about? It was very normalising and liberating.
I met lots of terrific people, including Mary-Helen, the Godmother of Sydney knitting (I was repeatedly told that Godmother was not meant in the 'Fairy Godmother' way, but rather the 'You cross me, and you sleeps with the fishes' Godmother way. I dropped a stitch in front of her. My knitting career is over), Charisse (who was knitting with some fabulous Blue Moon Socks that Rock), Madoka (whose crocheted Amigurumi toys were so cute they gave me a little cramp), Andrew, Gemma, Lara (the Disco Knitter), the sadly blogless Erin (who was knitting with a gorgeous wool/silk blend), Kris (the event organiser and 
I may have had one or two beers.
Here, David records the essay for this week's episode of Sticks and String. If you listen closely, I can be heard talking in the background- but so can everyone else who was there, so it won't help you identify me much. (At the start of the essay, I can be clearly heard in the background saying 'I know'. I don't know what I was saying it about, though). Thanks also to David for his lovely comments about me on the show. I'm blushing.Eventually the weather turned even colder, so we packed up and said our goodbyes. I rejoined my sister at the hotel, and we ventured out to the Lowenbrau for several steins of frosty goodness (there are no pictures. This is a very, very good thing). Let's just say that Sunday morning's awakening was... difficult, to say the least.
Sunday was spent avoiding bright lights, shopping at markets, and watching Shrek the Third (good movie, if occasionally a bit hokey. See it if you haven't already), and travelling back home with heavier bags- and lots of good memories**.
*I left her with copious amounts of chocolate and access to a luxurious bath and movies on demand. She was perfectly happy to stay.
** Well, except for Saturday night, where my memory gets a little blurry.
posted by Michelle at 10:34 AM
8 Comments:
HAH! That's too funny! No need to invent excuses for me, fellow knit-a-holic! When the whole "yarn diet" thing went around at the beginning of the year, I didn't even bother joining, knowing I'd never try to stick to it :).
Looks like you had great fun!
Ya drop one stitch in front of The Knitting Godmother, she'll forgive. Ya drop two and ya'll learn a new meaning for drop. :)
It was good to catch up with you in person - I agree about the slightly disconcerting feeling - "I know your intimate knitting details but have never met you" thing.
No need to feel ashamed about buying wool especially when it's at a discount! You're among (fellow addicts) friends here.
It wsa great to meet you!
What a great day and I'm jealous. I didn't go to any KIP events around here, but then I didn't hear of any. Strange, eh? That Noro is gorgeous and aren't you allowed a bender or two when you're yarn dieting? Now I'm off to listen to Sticks and String for your I know. BTW, are you joining us for the Mystery Stole 3? Sounds like it could be up your alley. Just think... lace knitting solidarity across the world. ;)
it was lovely to meet you on saturday michelle!
aaawww so jealous I was in Melbourne!
Michelle - Oh no... the yarn diet has been broken. Hmm.. Noro - maybe that should be an exception. Yea, I think it should be! Good work.
Don't get hooked on those Reese - they are so bad but yet so good.
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