I am a traitor to knitters everywhere…apparently. I think I may be the only knitter in the universe that gave absolutely no consideration whatsoever to attending Sock Summit 2009. People are crashing servers and wreaking more havoc than Y2k, and I am not interested in the least. Sorry to say, but true. There, I have admitted my guilt and await the firing squad.
From Susan to Katie K: I’m sorry you are unable to go — maybe next year? It sounds like it will be a rousing success and therefore repeated. I know that many knitters are thrilled with the idea of the Sock Summit and I hope they a) have the opportunity to attend and b) it exceeds their expectations. I know that I am definitely the outlier!!
Personally I would love to go, but a special trip to the west coast is just not happening for me. I would rather feel the way you do.
Comment by Katie K — May 26, 2009 @ 10:42 pm
Not signing up either. Though I will say I thought about it a bit, seriously thought about it — then I checked the prices and well reality set in very quickly. Guess, I’ll stay home and knit socks of my own devising and be happy….
Comment by Gayle — May 26, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
I shall knit my socks at home too. I’m sure it will be great fun, but a huge expense like that isn’t in my cards. I am considering Rhinebeck in the fall though. The Hudson River Valley in autumn is probably stunning-and hey, I can drive to get there.
Comment by rudee — May 26, 2009 @ 11:31 pm
Why would your viewpoint warrant the firing squad?! Firstly, as important as we all KNOW that knitting is, it most certainly is not a reason to take up arms! Secondly, diversity is what makes all of this so much fun! There are things that people make that I admire but do not aspire to, and some things that give me nightmares, but hey, who am I to judge?! I am sure I have made some choices that others find questionable!
A long winded way to say “vive la difference!!”
Comment by Lee Cockrum — May 26, 2009 @ 11:40 pm
I’m with you, sistah! No consideration what-so-ever and Portland is one of favorite cities on this planet (but I’ve never been to Minn.) I’m sure much fun will be had, mayhem will ensue and we shall live vicariously through many many blog posts. it will be enough.
Comment by Kendyl Young — May 27, 2009 @ 12:55 am
Nothing against the sock people, but I hate knitting socks, so I’d never sign up either!
Comment by Laura — May 27, 2009 @ 4:16 am
Umm, no, you’re definitely not the only one! I’m in England, but even if I was in the US, I doubt I’d be going. It’s *socks*. I don’t hate knitting socks, but they’re waaay from being my most favourite thing to knit. I’d be much more likely to sign up for SOAR.
Comment by Alison — May 27, 2009 @ 4:21 am
If the summit were on the East Coast and close enough to me, I might go just for the marketplace. But I can’t spend that kind of money for classes in this economic climate. I wish them well though and will live vicariously through Stephanie’s blog!
Comment by Nana — May 27, 2009 @ 6:38 am
I don’t knit socks. . . Although I’ve made several pair – and think they’re kind of fun – I just don’t have that “sock love” thing going. So, color me a traitor too, but the Sock Summit is not on my personal radar.
Comment by Kym — May 27, 2009 @ 7:17 am
I’m with you– not going, never even considered it!
Comment by Angela — May 27, 2009 @ 7:55 am
What a breath of fresh air over here!
I’ve knit my share of socks and enjoy designing them, too. But if I’m going to devote entire days and hundreds of dollars to knitting, it’s not going to be socks.
Comment by Judi P. in Cleveland — May 27, 2009 @ 7:58 am
I was going to attend, but then sanity intervened. I love to knit socks, but can’t see spending the bucks on just that. I’d rather take a knitting cruise.
Comment by Sue J. — May 27, 2009 @ 8:03 am
I knit socks but didn’t see the need to spend that kind of money.
Comment by Wanda in Ar — May 27, 2009 @ 8:21 am
I enjoy knitting socks, and I’d love to attend an event like the Sock Summit, but the expense of traveling from CT to Portland would be too great. If it were closer to me, I’d might consider it! I haven’t even looked into the cost of the classes.
I hope they are very successful, as I’d love to see it happen again, maybe on the east coast someday.
I am looking forward to all the blog posts about it!
Comment by Nancy — May 27, 2009 @ 8:39 am
You’re definitly not the only one! I like sock knitting – but not near enough to attend something like this. Plus, it’s a pretty big expense for my family, and that money is better spent on the entire family.
Comment by Kristin — May 27, 2009 @ 9:42 am
I LOVE knitting socks, but I wouldn’t think of going either. I wouldn’t have to consider the cost if I wanted to go. But I now have the new sock book “Sock Innovations” and with that inspiration, and millions of lovely sock patterns available, and a good bit of creativity of my own, I’m all set to go. The above commentators are right–vicariously through blogs.
Comment by Sigrun — May 27, 2009 @ 10:44 am
Yay! A potentially kindred spirit. OK, I know that you actually do knit socks, but I can’t stand the idea of such fiddly work when I can turn out a sweater in nearly the same time. I get that they fit and are lovely blah blah blah. but at the end of the day, it’s still. a. sock.
Comment by Linda — May 27, 2009 @ 11:34 am
I didn’t consider going either. I’m already going to knitters connection in Columbus,OH.
Comment by Robin — May 27, 2009 @ 11:36 am
Well, lucky for me, I live in Sock Summit’s back yard, and I am going incognito…that is helping a vendor. However, I didn’t sign up for any classes as $70 seemed a little steep to me. The Sock Hop should be fun though!
Comment by Rebecca — May 27, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
I’ll go join you against the wall.
Not only that, but knitters in my area were flocking to see Cat Bhordi this past weekend and I never even considered going. I’m glad that my friends all had fun, but I really don’t feel regret for having missed it. Wonder what’s wrong with me?
Comment by LaurieM — May 27, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
I am with you…I am not going. I considered it for about 2 minutes. I very rarely knit socks and if I do the books out there are good enough for me. Besides, I would rather save that money and buy yarn!
Comment by Candace — May 27, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
i guess i’m the outlier here. i really really really wanted to go. i intended to go. and was not able to register. silly me, i believed everything was sold out when everything was not. and then everything was.
i guess that frees up lots of money for yarn purchasing for me.
Comment by dana — May 27, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
I’d like to say “Sock Summit? What’s that?” except I haven’t been living *completely* under a rock. Eh. I’m sure the people going will have a fine time and be glad they went, and I’m sure there are plenty of us who aren’t going and are happy to have other plans. Plenty of room for both types of folks. No firing squad here!
Comment by June — May 27, 2009 @ 3:36 pm
Nope, not going either and don’t regret not being able to go. The thought of the frenzied level of activity, noise, female hormones, giddy crowd, well bleeeeccchhhh. I’m way too much of a loner to be comfortable in a “happening” like that. Anyway, I’m starting a new job the week before so attending is not really an option and I don’t want to spend all my money flying across the country to be part of the happening. I’d rather buy more books, yarn, and needles, or even better yet, not spend the money but spend the time knitting with yarn and needles I have from the books I already own. My only hope is that they will record or webcast the panel of luminaries presentation. I’d like to hear what that group has to say.
Comment by Linda M — May 27, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
I enjoy knitting socks, but never even considered going to the Sock Summit. In this economy, especially, that is way too high an expense for me to spend on my knitting…and awfully hard to justify in any economy. And this from a woman whose husband doesn’t have any problem with the stash (and I think he really does know just how big it is).
Comment by Doris — May 27, 2009 @ 5:02 pm
It truly takes all kinds. I am going and delighted – that I got a couple of classes and that my parental duties are fulfilled (i.e. no more tuition payments) so I can afford it and that I have family in the area so can make a multi-purpose visit. I promise to blog faithfully so any who are interested can peek in. And no firing squads for anyone!
Comment by twinsetellen — May 27, 2009 @ 6:02 pm
I didn’t consider it either.
Comment by jaci — May 27, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
I never considered it for a moment either, though I’m sure it would be great fun and I love to knit socks. Too expensive, too much other stuff on my plate and I like to spend any free summer time I have with my DH. It is fascinating how many people rushed to sign up. I thought they’d have a hard time in this economy. The LYS’s (in St. Paul, MN) don’t seem to me to be doing too great.
Comment by Marcy — May 27, 2009 @ 8:50 pm
I’d love to hear Barbara Walker speak, just because she is such a key figure in the development of modern knitting (and because it was something of a coup to get her to come at all.) However, there isn’t anywhere near enough money in my budget for plane tickets and fees and accomodation and the like, and like Linda, I’m enough of a loner that the idea of it is likely considerably more attractive that the noisy reality would be. Still, I admit to feeling just a teensy bit left out….
Comment by Ruth — May 28, 2009 @ 12:22 am
I live in Portland and feel not a twinge at missing this. Maybe I’ll get pulled into the outer orbit of the craziness, but I’m not seeking it out.
Comment by michelle — May 28, 2009 @ 8:55 am
My husband has asked me numerous times if I’d like to go – even offering to make the arrangements for me – from the third party perspective he gets only from my comments about the event he knows what a big deal its going to be for the on line knitting world. So I understand and can relate to your feeling like a traitor. For me though spending potentially glorious summer days travelling and inside an air conditioned meeting facility is just not appealing. Besides – all that way and all that money just for socks and nothing but socks? I enjoy knitting socks but not that much!
Comment by Marie — May 28, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
I thought about going but my vacation time didn’t work out. I compared the cost to the national lace guild convention (http://www.internationaloldlacers.org/ if interested) and it is comparable. So I think the registration and class fees are reasonable (renting space, paying teachers, reimbursing teacher’s expenses, event insurance, whatever else this event needs to cover). I justify the lace convention each year by telling myself that LOTS of people spend much more on their vacations.
Since I’m not going, I’ll be seeking out a local spinning teacher to improve/find my spin-for-socks techniques. 🙂
Comment by Betty — May 28, 2009 @ 7:23 pm
I had it on my calendar and was on the email list and seriously considered going, but finally decided that I could not justify the $. Perhaps we will fly to NYC to visit #1 son instead.
Comment by kmkat — May 28, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
You are definitely not alone. I gave it absolutely no consideration either. The flocking insanity has reinforced that decision.
Comment by Risa — June 2, 2009 @ 10:43 am