TKGA Oakland

Aran Cardigan from the Top Down This is the result of a class I took this weekend at TKGA's Regional Conference at the Oakland Convention Center. It's knit starting at the saddle, working the back, then the fronts, adding the collar, button band and sleeves. Then you make it up by sewing up the sides and arms. The class was taught by Beth Brown-Reinsel. The conference wasn't nearly as big as Stitches West which up until this year had been held in the same location. However it was very nice, the vendor market had a fine selection of yarns. I like seeing vendors who make up patterns and kits and do inspiring things with yarn. I bought some handpainted yarn, a purse kit and a poncho kit -- all in various shades of pink. I have an obsession with pink -- bigger than my obsession with yarn -- but it probably shows up more there than anywhere else.

Ironstone Cardigan is done

Reste. The long weekend is over and I have but one finished object to report. Can't explain why this one took so long -- having been abandoned for one reason or another. It was easy enough and at the same time interesting with it's color changes. I seamed the sides, added the button bands and sewed on the pewter buttons I got at my LYS The Rug & Yarn Hut. There's nothing quite like trying on an FO for the first time (after most of the "finishing" is done). Sometimes I'm disappointed, sometimes its anti-climatic -- this one however was most satisfying. The sweater is cotton so will be perfect for summer wear.

I did begin the weekend with a shopping spree. It being a holiday weekend there were sales to be had and I could not avoid temptation. Knitting Arts as always had the best selection of yarns at 40% -- I had to laugh when a woman beside me picked up her cell, called her sister and said, "You have to get here". I bought a kit (another -- but different -- Ironstone kit) and some scarf yarns. Yarndogs had a very clever 17.76% off sale on ALL their yarns. They had a capelet on display and a salesperson helped me locate the yarns and choose a different colorway. The pattern was complimentary. Finally I visited Stash in Berkeley, about an hour's drive north of home. They were also having a sale and a trunk show of Loop-D-Loop -- I bypassed all that and found a selection of Wool In the Woods yarn suitable for a top of some sort. When I got home and tried to find a pattern I discovered that I may be short. I called 2 days later thinking I could drive up...they found the yarn and offered to mail it. Isn't it amazing how accomodating yarn shops can be with your money?