Saturday started up with sleeping in late (a wondrous luxury) and then I picked up my friend Antonella around 1:30 and we headed south to Los Altos. We talked and laughed all the way and I didn't get us lost. I get lost a lot (I can't yak and drive), so that was quite an accomplishment for me. hee hee
After driving around downtown Los Altos looking for parking that wasn't for 2 hours only...we found a spot a few blocks from the store and grabbed it. The weather was awesome so it was a joy to walk around. We headed to Full Thread Ahead for sign-in, zone assignments and a look-see around. I filled out a 'name tag' for my blog. What a great idea!
I, of course, can't walk into a yarn store without buying something, but money was tight, so I ended up at the clearance wall. I wanted to buy something to support the 10% of all purchases goes to Stephanie's charity Knitter's Without Borders, etc etc etc. So...I managed to find this...
...the yarn is soft and cuddly and the needles, well I just had to get them (size 35)...I made it out of there for under $10. My heart was sad, but my wallet was ecstatic. It helps that I can't touch most of the yarn in there. Sigh...Both A and I are sensitive to animal yarns. Grrr. We did find some beautiful silks and cottons to pet. And then there was the bamboo and corn fibers. Gonna have to get me some of that when I've got the cash.
Then we wandered off to find some food. I still hadn't eaten a whole lot yet and by 3pm I was hungry. We found an Italian Deli called appropriately enough, The Italian Delicatessen...
...where I had a yummy Avocado Delight sandwich. Mmmm...
After sitting around a while at the sidewalk tables watching all the various knitters go by, we decided to find something sweet to eat. So we set out again, and found this bakery...Satura Cakes...
...what heavenly concoctions and smells. It reminded us of a Parisian Bakery. We didn't want to leave. I had a strawberry tiramisu and Antonella had some gorgeous chocolate cake. Add espresso for her and iced coffee for me and you've got one awesome afternoon. We hung out there for a bit until 5pm when we headed back to the store to get seats for Stephanie's talk that started at 5:30pm.
Here's my view of the venue and audience...
There was some chatting amongst the knitter's, some checking out of each other projects and lots and lots of knitting. I've never seen so many people knitting at one time. It was so cool. That's when I met the knitter who admired my RYS II and suggested I post the pattern. And I will. Eventually. :o)
There were a few contests for oldest/youngest knitters...who has been knitting the longest/shortest time...who has the most stitches on the needles for their lace. There was a sock contest...who came the farthest - some gal from Canada, no less. There was a contest for the men knitters in the crowd too. Hollis was very generous with the prizes - what a great hostess!
...then Stephanie arrived...
..."Knitting is interesting...and it's fun"...
...she is one funny lady...
...answering questions while knitting on the Traveling Sock...
When the talk was over, those holding cards for zones 1,2, and 3 got in line for book signing and pictures, etc with Stephanie. The rest of us in zones 4 and up (we were in zone 4), left to hang out around town for the next hour and a half. Most of us went for dinner. Antonella and I ended up at a small Cantina a few doors down from the yarn shop (sorry, no photo, and I can't remember the name of it darn it).
Of course Sock Monkey made the trip too... Antonella had yummy taquitos and I had a yummy chile relleno. Sock Monkey wasn't hungry.
After dinner, we still had about a half an hour to wait, so we headed to...Satura Cakes for dessert and coffee. This time we each had strawberry shortcake. Heaven. We talked to more knitters. One lady was from Berkeley who was meeting her friend from Gilroy. They 'met in the middle' to see Stephanie together.
We headed back to Full Thread Ahead just in time to get in line to see Stephanie. When it was our turn, I introduced myself and my friend Antonella - who happens to be from Ottawa. Stephanie then proceeded to scare the crap out of her by saying she was going to give her a test that only true Canadians can pass. The look of panic on A's face was priceless. Wish I had a picture of that. Also wish I had a video of what happened next...Stephanie then said "Only a true Canadian can finish this sentence". "When you eat your Smarties..." And A responded "Do you eat the red one's last?" Then they proceeded to sing the entire jingle. It was great! A told me later she was so freaked that Stephanie would ask her some history or political question. Hah! This one was a lot more entertaining! I gave Stephanie a pin with the Canadian and US Flags on it and then she signed my book and posed for a picture with us. I asked her to hold Sock Monkey. She said "If I hold the Monkey, you hold the Sock!" Yes folks, I got to hold the Traveling Sock!
(Me, Antonella, and Stephanie)
Then I dorked out - as you can see in the picture. Ha ha I was so excited, I couldn't smile normally. As we were leaving, she said, "I just love knitters!" Well, Stephanie, so do we!
Sock Monkey is in love...
Thank you Stephanie for not only being a great person, knitter, and author, but for also hanging out so long to make sure we all got to meet you. You ROCK!
A huge shout out to Hollis of Full Thread Ahead and her family, staff, and friends and everyone who made the event all that it was...you guys did a great job!
We had a great time. A final thanks to Antonella, for letting me drag you all over the Bay Area when I get some crazy hair up my ass for a road trip. You're a fantastic companion and friend - great minds think alike...
Harlot in the back alley...bwahahaha!! Sound like you had a good day, too! We both made it out of there for under $10, which is amazing.
ReplyDeleteAnd you got to hold the sock!
A shout out right back at you. You definitely picked out 2 great places to eat! Thanks for coming over.
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