Yarnover was a rousing success! Almost 300 attendees and some very notable knitting legends and legends-to-be. Meg Swansen, Annie Modesitt, Beth Brown-Reinsel, Arnhild Hillesland, Susanna Hansson (who translates the famous original Bohus designs into English — you go, Girl!) to name a few.Â
A newcomer to the group: Ann McCauley. Her name sounded so familiar to me and then I realized that she also had a square in the Great American Aran Afghan (the Ann McCauley square). Ann just wrote a book called The Pleasures of Knitting which has some gorgeous designs. She wore a couple of them throughout the day, and they were very impressive. It helped that she is a size 2 and weighs 15 lbs. But I think at least some of the designs could work for normal-sized peeps.
And, now on to the important part: the freebies. You all know how much I love freebies ;)!! Look at the great back pack we received:
This could hold half of a good sized knitting stash AND is suitable for camping!! My favorite is the set of stitch markers:
 
OMG — are these gorgeous?? If my pierced ears worked I’d wear these as earrings!Â
After a very humorous keynote by Annie M. we moved to our classrooms. I taught the Beaded Amulet Bag class. And that’s the title of the class: “Beaded Amulet Bag.”  A woman (who shall remain unnamed) walked in, saw all my beaded amulet bags on display and said, “Well, I didn’t know that’s what we were going to be making. I’ve made dozens of these. I want my kit and then I’ll be leaving.” I said she could have her kit once everyone paid their supply fees, so she left immediately and went off to complain to discuss with the planning committee that she had been misled misunderstood about the nature of the class and wanted to take something else. It’s a Beaded Amulet Bag class — we were making beaded amulet bags!!!! What did you THINK it was going to be!??!!
Anyway, to continue. The class was great fun. Here are some pictures of the class in progress.
Getting Started:
Great concentration:
How is yours coming along?
There was also a Vendors Market where you could shop like crazy. I resisted all temptation, but it was tough. There were some really great shops there.  I did get to meet the wonderful owners of The Tangled Skein in St. Peter, Minnesota that Sally wrote about in January. The Yarnery and Amazing Threads were there, and most of the other yarn shops in the Twin Cities had a presence.Â
After the day wrapped up, the teachers were treated to dinner and then home to collapse. All in all, a fine day.Â
Put it on your calendar for next year: April 12, 2008. I’ll be teaching again, so if you have any ideas for a workshop, let me know!
Oh those stitch markers are lovely! Sounds like she was kinda ditzy. Glad she didn’t attend the class 😉
OT. I’m surprised every time I see photos of events where knitters gather as I sort of expect them to be wearing their handknits! I guess I got that idea because some in the blogging community seem to knit something specially for some events. Like the Harlot did the Bohus for her latest book tour and another year, she made something for Rhinebeck. Is that all just a fairy tale?
Comment by Marina — April 22, 2007 @ 11:40 am
From Susan — To Marina: many people were wearing handknits, including me (I wore the Berry Cluster Pullover), especially shawls or vests. HOWEVER, the temp got to the mid-seventies and many people anticipated how warm it was going to be. I changed into a very lightweight shirt as the temp climbed in the classrooms to 80 degrees plus! Some years the weather is cooler and you see more handknits.  Two people in my class were wearing handknit sweaters.
Comment by lv2knit — April 22, 2007 @ 11:56 am
I’m so jealous! It sounds like great fun. Wish NJ was a bit closer :)….. I have a pick ur brain type question…. a while back, of course I can’t remember when, you had a post that linked to two ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS kits for incredibly beautiful sweater type/jackets that were very intricate knitting. The kits were pricey like $250-298. I had one that stayed in the back of my mind and of course forgot to bookmark it. Any ideas?
Comment by Michelle — April 22, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
From Susan to Michelle: I think you mean the Bohus kits from Sweden. We discussed them and showed the picture on January 8. I hope that is what you are thinking of :).
Comment by lv2knit — April 22, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
It looks and sounds wonderful! I’m jealous. 🙂
Comment by Romi — April 22, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
From Sally to Michelle: If they are more jacket-like, you might be thinking of the Hanne Falkenberg kits? You could check at her website, which is http://www.knit.dk/
Comment by surly — April 22, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
Glad you had a great day! It sounds like it was a lot of fun, even with the confused, rude woman.
Comment by Brenda — April 23, 2007 @ 1:20 am
I really enjoyed meeting you Susan!
Loved the Yarnover event and am already looking forward to next year.
Comment by Susanna in Seattle — April 30, 2007 @ 4:14 pm