You guys! This past weekend was soooo AWESOME!! I went to something that until recently I had not heard of, and maybe you have not either...The Stitches Knitting Convention (this one being in Texas). Don't worry, they had crochet stuff there too, that's why I went! I wasn't sure how it would be, but I signed up for 2 days of classes and went in with an open mind. They didn't have a ton of crochet classes to choose from, so I worried I might already know the stuff they were going to teach, but I actually learned a ton! Even in the one class where I already knew the technique I still learned a lot just by meeting the teachers!
This is my "Ready to Learn" set up!
I met a lot of really cool people too! Of course I met some fellow students, but for me the most exciting part was getting to take classes from and meet people who are really icons in the industry and people that I respect a lot. I got to take two classes from Marly Bird and she is just the living embodiment of making it work as a knitter and crocheter. I also got to talk to StevenBe who has this great store in Minneapolis and is just a really neat guy...I may have overspent a bit as his booth! Finally I had a class with a couple known as the Shibaguyz who are really elevating crochet design...I bought 2 books I can't wait to try designs from!
 My beautiful haul from the StevenBe booth! |  Something I'm making from that yarn you see on top. It doesn't show up, but its sparkly! |
Here's something I didn't realize would happen at this thing...So.Much.Free.Yarn! Many of the teachers are sponsored by yarn companies and have a lot given to them to give to students..and boy did I ever rake it in! I could hardly close my suitcase! I am not complaining...but I'd have brought a bigger one if I had known! haha!
Suitcase bursting with freebies!!
I came away from this inspired, enthused, reinvigorated, and brimming with ideas! I've been placing so much focus on branding and marketing of my finished goods (not to mention being a one woman sweatshop of production) that I haven't taken much time to challenge myself and work on my skills. Going forward I am going to try to have more balance in that department. I'm also going to start working on pattern design and sharing of that in various ways. I can't wait to get all the new ideas out of my head and on to paper, or into yarn, so I can share them with you!
One last note! I'm trying out a new thing where there is a pop up encouraging people to sign up for my email list! Is that pop up too annoying (comment below)? I made it easily closable but I don't want to run anyone off with something so silly as that! (Also let me know if it didn't pop up for you, we're all just muddling through then new technology together!)
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