Ok, ok, I'll admit that January 18th is a bit late in the month to be wishing you a Happy New Year. However, for those of you that know me personally - you'll have to admit that it's actually a miracle I remembered at all! For those of you that don't know me, you will soon learn that I am not what one would call "punctual". I try, but I am still a work in progress.
I hope that all of you had an incredible holiday. I also hope that you got all of your gift knitting done. If you didn't, don't lose heart. Try not to think of it as being late for Christmas. Instead, consider yourself early for next year. :) I actually managed to finish my one knitted gift item, in the car, on the way to the gift exchange!
Well, we here at the Knit Affair are off to a great start for the new knitting year. Torey and I attended the TNNA yarn show down in San Diego today. This is the show that is open to shop owners. Imagine a convention center filled with nothing but booth upon booth of every imaginable yarn you could think of. They are all there - Rowan, Lorna's Laces, Noro, Lamb's pride, Trendsetter, the list goes on and on. You name it, they were there. This is the show that gives the yarn vendors the opportunity to see, touch, and in my case "nose" all of their yarns at once. It also gives some new companies a chance to meet retailers in the first place. I have to tell you, I love this process. I love spending the day seeing, touching, "noseing" as much yarn as I can stand, all the while conversing with other people who are just as into it as I am. I mean, where else do you think Jess, Casey, and Mary-Heather from www.ravelry.com could be walking around and getting spotted like stars on the Hollywood walk of fame? Yup, I met them today. My first question was, "Where's Bob"? Sadly, he was left at home. But, I did get one of those cool "Hello, my name is ____" Ravelry pins. For those of you who don't ravel, what are you waiting for? Jess, Casey, and Mary-Heather run the ravelry website, and Bob is their dog. It's a great site, if you get a moment go check it out. My user name is rkkilmer. Please add me as a friend if you sign up. Also, look for Knit Affair in the groups section. You'll see a few familiar faces.
Torey and I are pretty excited about the new stuff we have coming in for you all. Don't forget that the yarn sale is next week. The week after that is inventory, so we'll be closed. But, directly after that - we've got some great stuff planned. For starter's we met Fabulous Trish from Tanglewood Fibers. We also met her friend Beth, who was truly a delight. Tanglewood Fiber Creations are one of a kind, hand spun, hand dyed skeins of the most amazing cashmere and silk blends. They are luxerious, and special. I was seriously coveting a sample skein just to put on my bookshelf. I imagined sitting and pondering it during my morning coffee. I loved the idea of it sitting there, only to serve the purpose of inspiring me, and to make me smile. Believe me, there was not one yarn at her booth that I would have said no to. We have tentively arranged for a trunk show with Trish and her fabu yarn on May 9th. It will be an all day affair that you won't want to miss. I promise to follow up with details as soon as we nail it all down.
Which leads us to the point in our day that reminded us why we love what we do, and why we feel truly blessed to get to spend our time with you all. After talking shop with Trish from Tanglewood, she informs us that her yarn is actually being featured in a not yet released book writtern by none other than Lorna Miser. Lorna Miser is the founder and previous owner of the yarn line, "Lorna's Laces". Lorna is an amazing person that we had the pleasure of meeting back in 2004. She had graciously appeared at the shop and conducted an all day purse workshop for us. Seems Lorna was going to be at the show later in the day signing copies of her new book. Torey and I waited in line to get a copy, and say hello to her. As we approached the table to greet her, she very excitedly asks us if we know that we're actually in the book??!!?? {What? That's right, we're IN the book!} There is a hat pattern that Lorna wrote to be used for charity knitting. Evidently we were doing some charity knitting at the time of the workshop and had told Lorna all about it. After the workshop, Ann Roberts ( a long time customer and one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet) offers Lorna a ride to her next gig. During this car ride, Ann proceeds to share with Lorna all about Ann's many charitable endevors. It's true, Ann is always knitting for others, helping others with their knitting, or teaching others how to knit in the first place. At any rate, Lorna writes in her book that she was so touched by Ann and all that she did, and the shop and the charity knitting we were doing, that she was inspired to create this particular hat pattern and to retell the story. Just goes to show you, you never know what lending a helping hand may lead to. I am sure Ann was just happy to share her love of knitting with someone who felt the same way as she did about it. I am sure Ann never considered the impact she would have on Lorna. Now, imagine the people that will read Lorna's book, and then be inspired to knit for someone in need. Ann just thought she was offering someone a car ride, not possibly bringing some small comfort to someone who may otherwise not get it. We were able to get a signed copy of the book for Ann. I can't wait to get it to her. The book won't actually be released until March, but we talked to Lorna and it looks like you are all going to get a chance at a signed copy of Lorna's new book. We haven't firmed dates yet, but we are going to host a booksigning for Lorna. Stay tuned for more info. Lorna is one of those people you have to meet. She's honestly and truly nice, in a way that few people are. I'm looking forward to a good time.
Well folks, it's late. The babes are tucked in bed, hubby is sacked out on the couch, and I have a hot cup of coffee and some new yarn waiting for me. I'll be in the shop on Thursday. Come say hi if you get the chance.
Meet you by the wool,
Rob
