Over Abundance

The pace of my life outside of the shop has picked up dramatically in the past week, and part of that is due to the romantic nature of spring I admit. A larger shift in my social life is the sudden burst of invitations and events to attend - Movie nights are a favourite with my friends. (Viva la nuit de film!)

But last night we took place in a larger gathering, for our beloved Stephanie (Yarn Harlot) was here in Portland for Earth Day and came to brief us yet again on the state of knitting. I really feel like Stephanie and Granny Weatherwax have a lot in common. Both unofficial leaders of groups that will stand no leader, both aware of human foibles, and both willing to brave the darkness - one for the sake of the universe, the other for the sake of wool or a beer. Both are admirable goals, as I’m sure many Portland Knit Bloggers will agree.

Her talk was only overshadowed, for me, by one joy. The guy from the last post came with me, and it may be noted that he stayed for the entire talk - laughing with us, and even smiling confusedly when the rest of us were dying with laughter and he wasn’t sure why. I must say, this business of non-knitters attending to knitterly needs is refreshing, and just the change Stephanie is talking about when she speaks of The Plan That We Do Not Have, No, Never Mind Us, What? We Just Like Yarn, Go Back To Your Television And Ignore The Maps.

World domination, pshaw. . .

I saw many good friends there who do not make it to the shop much, so I do not see them as often as I wish to. It’s a shame, really, to have so much of my social life based out of work. I have nothing to do on my days off. Bobbie was there, as was Duffy. Monica who keeps me company when I can’t sleep via Ravelry was there and still not sleeping on a schedule. Larissa showed up with Sebastian, who was too shy to come to me so I had to go to him to give him some tickles. My Dear Anon Friend always manages to catch some fantastic knitting design before the rest of us have even heard it whispering along the pathways of knitting, and she showed me the beginning of a fantastic sideways-knit jacket(?) in Felted Tweed. Delicious.

I list so many bloggers because, my dears, I FORGOT MY CAMERA and I don’t want you to miss any fantastic photos that these girls might’ve caught. Edited to Add: By the way, Michelle got some funny shots of me with that wascally sockmonkey of hers.

Did I mention that Duffy sang a special song? I’m sure you’ll all be hearing “It’s my travellin’ sock”‘ on the radio any day now. Well. You would if knitters ran the world anyhow.

This week at the shop we’ll be having Annie Modesitt whose work I admire, and whose blog I try to keep up with. Sometimes I feel like her rigorous class teaching and active home life are too much to handle, even second hand, but she seems to be a woman of fortitude which she is going to need if she goes out with Stev and Heather. I can only hope and pray that the car doesn’t have to be detailed afterwards like last time Stev took a teacher out.