I’m back from Long Beach, CA and the TNNA market (yarn industry trade show). It was LOTS of fun. I met loads of great new people, saw some great people I met back in June, and overall had a great time. I took lots of orders. More yarn will be headed to Threadbear, Loop, Yarn Expressions and Knit Happens. I’ll be sending product for the first time to Knitch, The Loopy Ewe, and Woolgirl.

I’m totally zonked, but it was totally worth it.

Lots of more coherent descriptions all around blogland including pictures on flickr in some cases. When I get it together, I’ll post a picture of my booth.

Anyway, many of you have noticed a few “quirks” with my website lately. And by “quirks,” I mean stuff that doesn’t work. So, with the exception of the front page, I’m taking everything down for awhile while we do a complete web overhaul. All the links up top are disabled. Look for a new and improved site on Sunday, Feb 3.

Also, the Sock Club is officially closed! The first package is shipping soon, but I’ll let everyone know when the Spring round is open.

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Karen in Toledo!!!

Karen will win a free membership in the Tour of DC Sock Club - Winter in Washington.

If anyone else is interested, i still have a few spots left, but the form on my website is being wonky. So just send me an email if your interested, karida@neighborhoodfiberco.com

Congrats to Karen!

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VOTE FOR AN HGTV MAKEOVER OF ANACOSTIA, DC: YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
HGTV is going to remake one neighborhood from neighborhoods across the country and Anacostia is on the list. Anacostia is competing against nine other neighborhoods across the country for the makeover. YOU have the opportunity to help make that dream a reality by voting on HGTV’s website for Anacostia ONCE A DAY between now and December 21st.

To encourage you loyal readers to vote, I’m going to GIVE AWAY 1 SOCK CLUB MEMBERSHIP.

So here’s how you can win. Since my forms are not cooperating with me, just go to this website to vote: Change Anacostia!

Then leave me a comment when you vote and I’ll add your name to the list.

On December 22, I’ll draw a name from the list, and that person will get a sock club subscription for free!

We’re working on the honor system here. You can be entered into the raffle every time you vote. So be honest.

Now for the fine print. You can only vote once a day for a maximum of 16 entries. Second, if you already signed up for the sock club, you are still eligible to win, but you’re also still on the hook for the membership you bought. So, basically, if you won, you’d have two memberships. Maybe there’s a certain someone you still need a gift for. Maybe you just like having LOTS of sock yarn. Your choice. Also, you are not required to vote for Anacostia (though I hope you do!).

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Face it folks, you can’t knit everyone’s gift this holiday season. And you probably don’t want to. So, you’ll end up buying some gifts.

Now, if you’ve known me for awhile, you may have heard the story of the year my Mom and I decided to try and combat Christmas consumerism by not doing gifts. My only compromise was that I decided to make gifts for my close friends and family. We put the word out early on that we didn’t want to contribute to the rampant consumer machine, etc. We even told people to spend the money instead on donations to a local public radio station. Total failure. Awkwardness all around as we opened gifts we didn’t really want (except from Erika who bought me lovely gifts). Nobody got it because everyone likes presents! And I’ve accepted that I too love gifts.

So, now, as I contemplate how to fight the big-box-ification of Christmas, I figure the best thing to do is buy fair trade, buy local, and buy handmade.

A great opportunity for those of you in the DC area is coming up soon. The first ever Bloomingdale Holiday Art Market will be December 1 at Big Bear Cafe. Big Bear is an adorable coffee shop at First and R Street NW. I will not be vending because I have SO many other orders to fill, but I’ll definitely be there buying gifts, hanging out, and getting inspiration for new colors. It’s being organized in part by the wonderful and talented Raina of goshdarnknit, so check out her site for more info.

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First the two big things.

The Sock Club. Wow. I have been overwhelmed by the positive response from everyone. By popular demand (emphasis on the demand!), I’m increasing the maximum number of participants to 50 people. And I’ve selected the designer for one of our exciting, exclusive patterns. The talented and wonderful Kelly of kelp!knits will be designing an exclusive pattern for the club! If you haven’t seen them, make sure you head over and check out her beautiful Ironwork Socks. The pattern she’s doing for the club will be just as gorgeous. Thanks Kelly!

And the second big thing. Together with my good friend and drinking buddy, Libby Bruce, I’m writing a knitting book! The book is tentatively titled Pints and Purls, and it focuses on portable projects that you can work on while you are…”distracted.” The idea came out of our knitting group which meets in a bar. Because sometimes you need projects that you can work on while you’re having a glass of wine or a beer with friends. And sometimes you need to know how to get the wine stain out of the sweater you knit. There will be a big social aspect to the book, and we’re really excited to be working on it. We’ve got some amazing designers lined up, but we’re still looking for more. So look for an announcement in the very near future that calls for pattern submissions.

Now to the 7 random things. Cici tagged me, so here goes.
1. I am mostly vegetarian, but not for any moral or health related reason. I just don’t like the taste of beef and pork. However, I would probably sell my soul for the perfect crabcake.
2. I am a continental knitter and it’s REALLY hard for me to knit “the other way.”
3. I find most alpaca yarns simultaneously soft and itchy. I know it makes no sense.
4. I think other people’s feet are the grossest thing ever. My own don’t bother me. But anyone else’s gross me out.
5. I love Joss Whedon. From Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Angel and Firefly. I love all things Joss. I read the X-Men comic book he authored because it was him. My love knows no bounds.
6. I am suspicious of people who don’t like animals.
7. I am also suspicious of people who don’t like the Simpsons.

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