My annual yarn feast - Stitches West!

One more stitch - one more row. Ah, it's dawn!

- Japanese Haiku

In the rhythm of the needles (hook) - there is music for the soul!

- from an old sampler

STITCHES WEST - 2011! An island in my busy life of the corporate world, this weekend was filled with the most delectible delights for my fiber enthusiasm. I got inspiration again, and more beautiful building blocks for my creativity for the next year. Although you do see a lot of repetitive themes in yarn and patterns at this show, I sought out and found a lot of originality -

Stitch Diva (http://www.stitchdiva.com/) ! I love Jennifer Hansen for her originality in developing one-of-a -kind patterns with knitting, crochet AND tunesian crochet. She has put together a book of all her patterns that is amazing. Since I just purchased the Addi click-on set of circular needles and am set for life with knitting needles, I decided to purchase the DENISE kit crochet hooks that click into cords and stoppers so you can do ANYTHING in crochet and tunesian crochet. Now I'm set forever - and can begin endless projects in either knitting or crochet. I started a pillow over the weekend with some of the great yarn I bought at Stitches using the new crochet kit - and tunesian crochet. Stay tuned for the photo sometime soon!

I'm going to start a Tunesian Crochet class through ACE next quarter (starting in April), so come and join (http://www.ace.fuhsd.org/) - click on Community Interest, then Homearts.

Various Yarns, Books and Patterns - I also got a lot of wonderful yarn - wool, soysilk, and synthetic that looks and feels like a natural fiber. Luscious varigated colors in a variety of weights. New books (Fairisle and Entrelac and a new wonderful book on crocheted edging), patterns (a really fabulous pattern for a gorgeous granny square afghan, a tunesian crochet shrug, and more...)!

Buttons - And then there are the buttons from Gail Hughes (http://store.quiltedkitty.com/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?Store_Id=17&categ_id=642&parent_ids=0,306%20) . She makes her own with molded acrylic, and I just adore her designs. I got a 50% discount because I bought from her on Sunday afternoon.

Tootsie P (http://tootsiep.com/) - another one of my favorites from southern CA does amazing dye work and kits to go with original designs. Virginia Gibbs, owner, has a wonderful sense of color and texture and her jacket designs are beautiful. I get all my Trendsetter Aura yarn from Virginia, and use it in my own designs for the Artful Blanket, some scarves, shawls and pillows. Check out the Artful Blanket in my Etsy shop - http://www.chaninca.etsy.com/.

John Marshall (http://www.johnmarshall.to/) - Then there's John Marshall who is a designer extraordinaire using ancient materials and designs from Japan. From John I purchased beautiful thin golden thread that I will combine with other yarns to bring out depth and presence.

So stay tuned to see the projects that come out of all this amazing feast of materials. I can't wait to get started!

Come to the February Knitalong at my home (1203 Crescent Terrace - Sunnyvale) on Saturday, Feb. 26th from 1-4PM and I'll be working on my first project. You'll also be able to see all the beautiful things I got at Stitches West!

Happy creating!

Channing