Getting ready for Sock Summit 2011

Good day party people! Our mayor has officially declared next week to be "Sock Knitting Week" in Portland so I better get on board with this significance asap.


(Yes, you may have to click on that one to read it)

Here we are, less than a week away from Sock Summit 2011. It's hard not to reflect on what the first Sock Summit was like and what it meant for me. I always find time for reflection when deadlines loom.

It was a magical experience. There was a convention center full of energized and joyful knitters. Everywhere you looked, someone was knitting. I belonged. We understood each other. It was like finally arriving at Hogwarts after living too long under the stairs in a muggle house.

In the broader sense I was crazy in love with my community, my friends, and my town. I had a million ideas and I was excited about everything. I felt connected to an ocean of potential and I had an awesome surfboard. My future was waiting. In short, I was just so happy.


photo taken of Sock Summit 2009 Ravelry party laughter by leethal

It's bittersweet to recall these times. The universe knows, my friends know. This go around my life looks quite different. I'll let someone else speak (poetically) on the subject: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." (attributed to Dr. Seuss)

This is a fresh start. It will be a different Sock Summit too. Last time we set a world record. This year there will be a flash mob. Last time my new friend Stephen hizKNITS bought me socks from Barbara Walker. THE Barbara Walker.



These are her actual socks. She knit them flat and seamed them up and wore them a great deal. I used to have them hanging by my front door. I've moved twice since then and I think they are now living in a box somewhere.


(I gave Stephen some homespun to say thank you. He seemed to like it.)

I'm happy to report that my classes are all booked up next week. I am looking forward to meeting old friends and making new ones. I wonder what else this period of time will bring and what the future holds for me now.

I plan on finishing the Socks For All Seasons e-book before the Summit. I plan on releasing details of my new club during the Summit as well. Now that I think about it, there are many exciting fiber-y happenings just around the corner. Stay tuned!