This morning, I headed out to Schaumburg, IL for Stitches Midwest, a fiber arts conference. I did not register for any classes, but I wanted to go look around, and experience the vendor hall. There were roughly 300 vendors selling all things related to fiber arts.
This crazy yarn-mobile was parked in the parking lot near my car.
The conference was in a rather nice hotel convention center.
Even though I knew it would be big, I was not prepared for just how overwhelming it would be. I wandered the vendor hall for nearly 5 hours, and I still did not see everything there was to see. I learned that when attending Stitches, it’s best to go in with a plan.
I never thought there could be such a thing as “too much yarn”, but holy cow, this was as close to it as I think anything could get!
Here’s a whole wall of Shalimar Breathless. It’s like a dream!
Sweaters at the Cascade booth.
So much sock yarn!!!
So much everything!
There were many well known, professional knitters and crocheters present, teaching courses and signing books. I saw Drew Emborsky (the Crochet Dude).
Since Stitches is actually a conference, I was expecting ‘conference rate’ pricing or discounts. I was mistaken. Shopping Stitches is like shopping at a high-end yarn store that just happens to be large enough to fill an entire convention center.
In spite of this, I came home with yarn, a book, stitch markers, knitting needles, project bags — enough to fill three shopping bags. I should have had a plan…
Here was one of my best discoveries while at Stitches: The Plucky Knitter.
Not the best name, but what GREAT yarn. They had an entire table of samples knit up in this lovely yarn, and it drew a constant crowd.
The fiber is beautiful. The colors are beautiful. This is some of the nicest yarn I have seen in a long time.
I brought home 4 skeins of their Primo cashmere blend: 3 in fingering and one in worsted weight.
I know I’ll be a customer in the future. (Their sales reps were great too!)
Another of my favorite finds was this yarn from a fiber artist from California. This particular yarn is spun from wool from ramboillet sheep, and the texture is just spectacular. It’s not like anything I have seen or worked with before. The price was also very reasonable.
I was having some strange fixation with limey shades of yellow/green today (shown here are more of my purchases):
Here’s a quick shot of me on my way to my car at the end of the day. You can just see my afterglow…
I had heard that it’s customary to wear your hand-knits to the conference, so I sported my Breath of Fresh Air scarf. I was glad I did because everyone was wearing their own scarves and sweaters. It was fun to see what everyone had made, and several people recognized the actual yarn and colorway (Three Irish Girls Glenhaven Cashmerino in the colorway Marin) of my scarf as it hung on my neck!
There is something so nice about being among like-minded people.
~Happy knitting!
Aug 11, 2012 @ 21:57:06
What fun!
Aug 11, 2012 @ 22:01:34
Did you pet the Quiviut?
Aug 12, 2012 @ 09:11:57
That looks amazing!
I live near the area, I wish I would’ve known…I like the goodies you found though 🙂
Aug 12, 2012 @ 10:37:47
It was amazing – and you can still go if you want to! The highlighted type in the body of my blog are all links. If you click on Stitches Midwest, it will take to you the main website and the entire showbook. It ran this week from Thursday through Sunday. Many people say Sunday is the best day to go because you get the best deals (the dealers start to mark things down if they hadn’t sold so that they don’t have to haul it all back home with them. If I go again in a future year, it will be on Sunday instead of Saturday.
Aug 13, 2012 @ 00:30:28
Siiiiigh. So jealous!
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Sep 05, 2012 @ 18:14:14
This was my first year to Stitches (as I am new, new, new to knitting) and I could not believe how big it was. I, like you, will need a game plan next year. I came across Plucky too and fell in love! Its all amazing! I have been following their Ravelry discussions and have learned a ton about their company. The people that were at their booth were the owners, they are sisters! I have found a new favorite! I went on that Sunday and did score some deals and will be keeping that in mind for 2013.
Sep 05, 2012 @ 21:23:01
Thanks for commenting. Yes, I’m in love with Plucky Knitter yarns, and I didn’t know the ladies were sisters. Very cool! I haven’t figured out their website yet. I visit and follow the blog, but ordering yarn seems really difficult and complicated. Have you tried/had any success? Part of my game plan for next year is to save up the money I’m bringing along so that I can buy more of their yarn. I brought home 4 hanks of their cashmere blend. It’s so nice. I’ll check out their Ravelry group tonight.
Sep 06, 2012 @ 20:24:11
It took me awhile to figure out too. They have “updates” and that is when their yarn is sold. They just had an update on Monday and it sold out in less than an hour. I was lucky enough to buy three hanks. I originally had about ten in my cart but when I went to check out it was suddenly unavailable, some call it “cartjacking”. It is a little frustrating, yet very addicting! They do have a “destash” thread and there are people adding to it constantly so you can always buy or trade with other Pluckies. I have had good luck purchasing Plucky yarn that way, however, if you’re looking for a specific color in a specific weight it may take a little while to find. So far, it has been a fun group to follow. Do you go to any knitting groups in the area?
Sep 06, 2012 @ 21:53:46
Hi Sarah,
It’s turning out you are a bad influence on me. I joined the Plucky Ravelry group after you sent your email, and I found the destash thread. I just bought three hanks in the weight I need. It seems like my best bet is to pick up some Plucky yarn that way.
Are you local? I do knit with a few groups in the area. Currently, I mostly knit with the Northwest IN Knit Wits. They have a Ravelry group. I sometimes knit with the Knot Just Knitters out of IL, though not as often now that I have met the IN ladies.
Our local yarn shop also has a big group and hosts various events regularly. I was recently invited to a group in Merrillville, IN, but haven’t been able to make it to that one yet.
How about you? Attend any groups in the area?
Sep 06, 2012 @ 22:21:25
Ha! That’s great and congrats on your purchase! The destash is really convenient… as long as you can find what you’re looking for. 🙂 What did you end up purchasing? I picked up two hanks of Bleedin’ Armadillo Grooms Cake yesterday to use for a Juneberry Triangle. I am still searching for an Early Light to make a Color Affection. Its crazy but I check the destash discussion a few times a day. I love all of her colors! They’re just beautiful!
I actually don’t go to any knitting groups but have definitely considered it. Its been challenging to find the time to get out of the house with three little kids and a busy husband. I would be closest to Yarns to Dye For in Frankfort or Knitche in Downers Grove. I know you’re in IN but have you been to Knitche before? They just moved and their shop is pretty amazing. I made a visit there during the Chicago Yarn Crawl. I could spend all day there! The decorating is divine and the yarn selection is endless. Where do the Knot Just Knitters meet?
Sep 07, 2012 @ 16:07:19
Thanks. I was super excited to land some skeins from Plucky. I ended up buying three skeins of fingering weight Primo in different colors (Honey Wilkes, Elegant Elephant and a blue one with an aeronautical name that I can’t remember…). I plan to make that fantastic striped cowl they were displaying at Stitches. It is knit like a giant tube on circulars. It was so soft and wonderful.
I have not been to Knitche, but I have been to Yarns To Dye For many times, and I have knit with many of the ladies there. They are the origin of the Knot Just Knitting group that meets in Glenwood, IL on Tuesday nights. I attended their World Wide Knit in Public Day gathering this past summer as well, and they have super-fun holiday gift exchanges in December where everyone has to hand knit a gift and wrap it, and then we do a grab bag to distribute them.
Knitche sounds great. It might be worth a trip!
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