Gale Zucker drove up to our li'l capitol last Saturday for a book signing, and turned an otherwise dreary day into a right fine one. The weather was crappy, but none of us cared, or really even knew, once we were ensconced in the Knitting Studio's lovely warm and comfy new digs on State Street. There was a great turnout and lots of great conversation and companionable knitting. To a person, everyone there had a great sense of fun and humor, and we had a lovely afternoon together. Leslie and Brigitte of The Knitting Studio were warm and hospitable and made the visit even more fun, even when we got a little rowdy. (Who, us? Rowdy?)
Gale kept us entertained with her stories behind the book, and we all got to meet and enjoy her book producer/packager/agent (chief cook and bottle washer) Rebecca Davidson of Ravenmark. Later, Rebecca's business partner Linda joined us and another friend for that incredible dinner I told you about on Sunday.
(Gale and Rebecca, showing some proposed cover shots that sadly did not make the cut)
Knitting for and with men was the unintended theme of the day. There were two Cobblestone Pullovers being knit (can you believe how these patterns catch on?!), both in lovely yarns.
Sarah's is in a greeny-blue O-Wool Balance, which is a fantastic organic wool-cotton blend from a Vermont company, and Kathleen from Warren (demps in Ravelry) was doing one in brown Kathmandu. That was super-soft and lovely stuff! And there I had been thinking (from the photos online) that Kathmandu was the same yarn as the Kilcarra Donegal Tweed in my stash. No way; not even close. And of course when I wasn't gabbing or taking photos, I was knitting away on my own blue sweater.
(Carol and Sabra; and Sarah's hands with her blue sweater next to mine.)
Carol Farmer and Sabra Massey from Montgomery were both there. I had never met them before, but when they explained that they have a co-op fiber shop in Montgomery, I had to laugh. I asked, "Um, Dillner Hillside Farms?" Stunned looks. "Yes, Jessica is in our shop."
I reached in my knitting bag and pulled out the socks I just finished knitting in Jessica's exquisite sock yarn. They couldn't believe it, Gale called me Willy Wonka (I had something in my bag for everyone), and they confirmed that that sock yarn is no more -- Jessica does not have it made anymore -- so the last two skeins are in my possession, and they are going to be socks for me-me-me! This was before the surgical intervention that occurred on Sunday, and I told the group that I had to add an inch to each sock. I loved Sabra's sage advice: "Eh, tell him to cut his toenails."
"And who are you?" asked Sabra and Carol.
The best joke of the day was Gale saying on repeated occasions, "Norma's a famous blogger." Um, gentle memo to Gale: Famous means never having to answer the question, "WHO are you?!"
(Gale's Imogen. Probably not for a male, but you never know.)
(Someone chronicling the fun.)
Later, Carol and Sabra told us of a wonderful men's knitting group they headed up in Montgomery last year. They taught guys to knit squares for an afghan to be auctioned off for some local cause like, I don't remember, a fire truck or something (I'm making that up, because I really don't remember WHAT it was for, but some local fund-raising venture or other). Sort of Montgomery's answer to the Men of Maple Corner, I guess. The men and Sabra met at the local bar on Tuesday nights and did their knitting.
What.a.HOOT. I was all like, "You mean real, regular old Vermont men? Not some flatlander gay guys who've moved in?" Nope, your regular local Montgomery Joes. One guy they told of had a method for remembering when he was on a knit row or a purl-back row: Beer on the right for knit; beer on the left for purl. Sometimes he'd get so into his knitting he'd forget to move his beer. This I wish I had seen and wish I had been involved in. Totally blog-worthy, and even more: totally Yankee magazine-worthy.
I can just see a whole row of guys at a bar sliding their beers back and forth! {snort}
Posted by: Kristen | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 12:50 AM
I love that beer trick - way better than a row counter!
Posted by: Carole | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 05:33 AM
Sounds and looks like a fabulous time! Bravo that.
So much beautiful knitting, never mind the wonderful photography in that book!
xo
Posted by: sandy | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 06:17 AM
maybe we should try that with tangerine grapefruit margaritas. LOL, how many rows will you be able to do? Looks like fun was had by all. Loved all the pics. Thanks!
Posted by: Ann | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 06:47 AM
"Yankee Magazine-worthy" -- hah, hah!
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 06:56 AM
The Kathmandu is a great yarn. Soft, lightweight and warm. My husband has decided that I can only make him sweaters out of it.
Posted by: Brenda | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 07:20 AM
I'd loose my place in the knitting if I had a beer for every row! How nice to see everyone and have such a great time.
Posted by: margene | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Sabra and Carol are fun. The shop would be a good place to meet up in summer months. Sounds like you had a blast.
Posted by: Judy | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 08:05 AM
Beer-memoed knitting. Huh. Wonder if that would work in Wisconsin...
Posted by: kmkat | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Heh, Montgomery Joes. What a great time you all had. So.... do those guys still meet?
Posted by: marianne | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 08:33 AM
Point taken. I meant notorious. ;-)
ps I have your famous umbrella.
Posted by: gale (she shoots sheep shots) | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 08:55 AM
the store in montgomery centre is marvelous:: the building is charming and so are the people who keep the shop! ;-) they have all sorts of fanciful felted creatures... inspiring yarns... buttons, photo cards-- everything you want in a yarn co-op. they meet the first monday of the month at the library-- i haven't made it down yet but mean to soon...
Posted by: kelli ann | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 09:32 AM
How fun! Love the beer idea.
Posted by: Jean | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Darn, I'm angry with myself that I didn't go after all.
Jessica Dillner was a maid of honor at my daughter's wedding....small world. She and my daughter exchange fiber.
Posted by: Joansie | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 11:02 AM
wish i could have been there. sound slike it was fun.
also, i saw that burlington vermont is considered the healthiest city in the US. how far are you from there, ms eating-local-doing-ygoa-like-a-madwoman!
Posted by: minnie | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 11:53 AM
The Cobblestone has passed my hubby's seal of approval, so I'll be getting some Peace Fleece for that (I made him wear a loop of the unwashed rustic yarn I'm currently using, figuring that the Peace Fleece can't be any worse)!
I figure while I'm getting the 7 or so skeins for a sweater for him, I should pick some up for a sweater for me!
Posted by: Seanna Lea | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 03:40 PM
You're famous to the people who matter, honey. That should be enough if you still hate people. ;^)
xo
Posted by: Cookie | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 03:47 PM
I thought you were the infamous Norma. My mistake...
8)
Posted by: gayle | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 04:02 PM
if you ever write a book
the name of the book should be
now now norma
delightful posting
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Yup, lots of fun. I think maybe we should work on a calender called "Men in Cobblestone" since this seems to be one of the sweaters that appeals to both men and those who knit for them.
Posted by: missscurious | Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 05:33 PM