Winter TNNA was great for me. Â I didn’t have many expectations (I’m not sourcing yarn for any upcoming projects; Â it’s nice to not have to ask folks for yarn!) and not a lot on my to do list.
I did have a few folks I needed to meet up with, and that all went fantastic. Â I showed off my Achillea Cowl pattern to the folks at Dream in Color and Lorna’s Laces.
For the most part, though, I was able to touch base with other designers, see some new yarns and colorways, and help my pal Michelle.
I did pick up a few things:  a gorgeous new bag from Namaste (below, center) that I’d been coveting since TNNA last summer, some of the sharp needles from Hiya Hiya (below, right), a new interchangeables needle holder from Offhand Designs (below, right) for my new set of ChiaoGoo interchangeables that I ordered…and a selection of really nice reading glasses (to be delivered as well).
I had a lovely chat with the folks at Koigu. Â They gave me a couple lovely skeins that are just crying out for colorwork (above, left). Â Michelle gave me two skeins of Tilli Tomas sock (above, right) that are also due for some serious colorworking. Â The little swatching skeins are from Swans Island.
I had a serious fangirl moment with Erika Knight. Â She’s gracious and funny and elegant and ever so nice — she liked my designs! Â and made me swear to come back on Monday to get yarn to play with! Â I got chills when she told me how much she liked California Revival Knits. Â In all seriousness, I think getting validation and praise from someone you don’t know, who’s so established in the field, is one of the best things to experience and to give you a big confidence boost.
Her new yarn, British Blue Wool, distributed by Blue Water Fibers, is lovely — I’m already plotting some accessory patterns that will take advantage of the yarn’s subtle luster, softness, and colorways.