girls weekend

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Last friday, after I put my kids on the bus, I hopped in the car and headed for Columbus, OH, for TNNA. Meeting my sister and mother there for the same reasons as before.  If you don't know anything about TNNA, it is where the retailers go to buy for their shops.  When I tell people where I am going, most look at me like I have lost my mind.  They can't believe I actually enjoy this sort of thing.  My kids call it the "knitting show" and I do believe they still think that I am on the stage, knitting.

But you all.  I KNOW you all would LOVE this.  So, I thought I would share a few things from the weekend.
Larissa, from Offhand Designs.  She is wonderful, as are her knitting bags.  They are stylish and sturdy with lots and lots of pockets. 
I just had to see the new line from Blue Sky Alpaca, Spud & Chloe.  Ali is designing patterns for them.  The yarn and patterns are absolutely wonderful.  The packaging of the patterns is adorable.  Like a sewing pattern.  You know, in its own envelope, and you pull it out and unfold it just like a sewing pattern.  LOVED it.
There are always a lot of book signings.  Nicky Epstein couldn't have been more lovely.  She stood and chatted with my mom and sister about her inspiration for her books.
I think you know how much I love Classic Elite.  Their combination of yarn/pattern is truly my favorite.  A couple of designers have joined their strong team.  Veronik Avery is launching her line of yarn along with a magazine. 
St-Denis yarn.  A soft wool in a fantastic range of colors.  I'd like to make several of her designs, and I have one in mind for Libby.  I'll have to wait though, as the yarn will not even hit stores until later in the summer.
And you all know mr. brooklynntweed.  He has a collection of gorgeous patterns that he has designed for them.  I got to get my photo with him.  However, I decided to take a nap while smiling.  The look just wasn't becoming.  But that really is Jared Flood, I promise.  And he is adorable.
I fell in love with a sweater in the fall '09 issue of VOGUEknitting.  Actually, there were a couple I liked.  Oh! And do you know about VK360˚?  Seeing the garment from every angle. Genius, if you ask me.  
Oh!  And another thing.  Interweave Knits also had some really cute patterns in their Fall 2009.  There is one in particular where the cable collar comes around and makes pockets.  Sounds weird?  I know.  Look for it though, I got to try it on and it was really cute.
All that yarn handling just made us want to knit.  And knit.  And knit.
Enjoy your day!

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87 comments

  1. What fun! And inspiring i'm sure. :)

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  2. I thought the show was fantastic too! We just got the new Spud and Chloe yarn in our store yesterday and I thought their booth was truly the stand out at TNNA. Jared's new book, Brooklyn, looks amazing as well. Can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

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  3. I'm drooling!!! Thanks for sharing the photos and stories!

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  4. It's not even summer yet and I'm so looking forward to fall. Thanks for the heads up and the great photos.

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  5. What a lovely weekend! I'm so envious you get to share your knitting with your mother and sister. No one in my family knits and not a single friend either. Love blogland where I can make blog friends who love knitting!

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  6. Oh my gosh. How wonderful. To be in the presence of so many creatives...near and dear, too, like your mom and sister. Fantastic. That is totally yummy goodness.

    A knitting show? I'm not sure your children are all that far off the mark...a show...to display; to indicate; to explain; to reveal, demonstrate...and so you've a show of lovely, beautiful moments shared and incredible art...in person, in materials and design. Right on the money if you ask me!

    I really love that there were tables set up that you could relax, mingle, hang out...and knit! Not quite a stage, but there, in full light. So good.

    Your mom is beautiful as are you, your family. It so makes sense this space of yours you share.

    Peace out!
    XXOO

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  7. just drooled on my laptop.
    i have an offhand bag and love mine. can't wait for new patterns this fall. looks like an awesome time. keep telling myself to stay out of the LYS until later in the summer!

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  8. Anonymous6/17/2009

    Oooohhh, thanks for sharing for the West Coasters who couldn't be there. Glad you had fun! :)

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  9. looks like a great space and way to spend a weekend!

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  10. Sounds like you all had a great time. I knew that the spud and chloe line would be great. I can't wait to see it. What exciting project did you caome away with?

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  11. Oh, that looks like it was so much fun! I'm drooling too :D

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  12. May I be cheeky and ask about the cream cardigan you're wearing. Is it one you've knitted? I think I've seen a picture on Ravelry but can't find a pattern. Its beautiful.

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  13. Nice coverage of the event! And look how chic your mom is (last pic)! Thanks for the report.

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  14. Oh, COOL! That is so neat that you got to go! Thanks for sharing the photos. :)

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  15. What a wonderful trip - so fun that your mom and sister enjoy knitting too!

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  16. Anonymous6/17/2009

    Oh wow, thanks so much for sharing these photos. I had no idea there was such an event, and I would say this is just a bit of heaven on earth!!! If you have more photos, I sure would love to see them. How extra fun to share it with your mom and sister.

    I would love to know about the sweater you are wearing as well. LOVE IT!~Jan

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  17. Looks like a knitters paradise! I think I need to go pick up my needles now...

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  18. I swear all the best events are on the East or West coasts. Why oh why did I learn to knit after I moved to MN?

    Thanks for sharing the show pics. Looks like you had a wonderful time with little to no crowds!

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  19. what a fun fun weekend!

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  20. What great photos of your weekend! You look so pretty! :)

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  21. Oh, what a fantastic post. It just gives a taunting, little taste, but oh how tasty it is! Thanks for sharing.

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  22. All of that yarn in one place?!? I'd hardly be able to keep myself together.

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  23. Oh, how fun! Thanks for taking us along!

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  24. Oh, what a great tour! You're the best! Now I'm dying to see those new patterns and yarns! BTW, did you notice in your 2007 tour you mentioned wanting to make Plisse? Isn't that funny?

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  25. Wow thanks for all that info, there is just so many things to look forward to especially Veronik Avery's new mag and of course Vogue and IK fall 09. Im also keen to try the St-Denis yarn, great colours.

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  26. Oh how lucky you 3 girls were to get to an amazing show like that. Jealousy I must say! I love those colors of the yarns and can I just add that those little dolls in front of it are just so cute! Were they a kit or something. How lucky to meet Jarrod too!

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  27. Oh wow, it looked fab! And you got to try on sweaters ?!! How fun is that!

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  28. Thank you for the scoop. What a treat to be able to go there and be inspired by it all.

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  29. sounds like so much fun! You were so right about sharing it with us...we do understand the 'knitting show' fascination! You and your mom look adorable together! so great you can share it your whole family.

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  30. Sounds like you had such a lovely time! Love all the things you featured. Makes me look forward to fall... though I'm not in a hurry to get through the summer.

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  31. I'm sure your head is spinning with ideas!

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  32. that sounds like so much fun! i will keep my eyes open for all those new patterns!

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  33. Oh I'm so jealous! What a wonderful account and I really enjoyed your "preview" of what is coming up in the fall. Knitting is just wonderful!

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  34. Oh yes, yes, yes, you were right, we love it, thank you so much for sharing. Yikes, now I am looking forward to autumn, that's not good, the Interweave jacket sounds lovely though and I am very excited about Spud & Chloe, they look very cute.

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  35. hi jan and pea green boat!
    i did not knit that sweater....
    i bought it at anthropologie.
    i would LOVE to find a pattern......
    if i do you know i will post it. :)
    thanks!

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  36. Looks like so much fun, Leslie!!

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  37. looks like a wonderful way to spend a weekend- with family, with yarn, with creatives. can't wait to see what the inspiration brings to your lovely blog.

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  38. What a great trip. Fun to share it too. Thanks for the heads up on some fabulous stuff coming our way. Can't wait to check it all out. BTW - loved the "middle sister" pic on flickr. As the baby I absolutely recognize the special role the middle sis plays!
    Sam

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  39. Anonymous6/18/2009

    It was a treat to see you, your sister & your mom. We should do it more often! B.

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  40. Thanks for the tour! Looks like you had a great time! Cute picture of you and your mom!

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  41. OMG!!! That looks amazing!!! ok, fine, that's it, next year i am going with you guys, i just invited myself. I love that spud and chloe, i am going to have to check out their website. You may have single handedly inspired me to pick up the needles!
    xoxoxoxxo,
    thanks for sharing!

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  42. sound like a perfect weekend! all those yarns look yummmy!!!! I wish I were a faster/better knitter!

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  43. Lovely. And I love your necklace in those pics. Where did you find it?

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  44. Sounds like so much fun for all of you! You are so lucky to have both a mom and sister who also enjoy the same thing you love to do!

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  45. Thank you so much for the summary and pictures! I'm totally jalous that you met BrooklynTweed. I so much enjoy all his work! This must have been a great day and yes, I understand that not everyone gets that (they don't know what they are missing!)

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  46. That is so COOL! I am am absolutely "envious" for the whole experience, including being with your family! Thanks Leslie for sharing.

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  47. leslie, everything looks sooo good! and you and your mom look so stylish sitting there knitting. thank you so much for sharing!

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  48. I so wish I could've been there! I was in love with the Blue Sky Alpacas and spud and Chloe booths (they set them up back home- I love going to see them!) and I'm sure they stood out in a crowd of booths! Those ladies can stage like nobody's business!
    Glad you had a great time- can't wait to see what happens after all of that inspiration!

    Happy knitting-
    ali

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  49. wow, i would of loved to have gone..All the beautiful yarn colors and projects..

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  50. thanks for the tnna recap. looks like you had a really good time.

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  51. One of these days I'm going - and hopefully haven't a booth too!

    You look great and looks like soooo much fun!

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  52. So glad you all had a good time. I know your Mom was really looking forward to it.

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  53. looks like a faboulous trip!

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  54. That looks so good to me, I would like to go!

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  55. Anonymous6/20/2009

    wow!!!! how many wonderful things you have seen!!! I am so jealous of your great trip!!! :-)

    gorgeous!!!!!!!!!

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  56. Anonymous6/21/2009

    You were right! Loved your post. Would have loved being in your shoes.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  57. That looks like so much fun!

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  58. what a great way to jump start creativity! awesome weekend.

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  59. i'm a bit obsessed with spud and chloe, thanks to you. i already have 3 projects i want to knit!

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  60. beautiful post, beautiful products, beautiful lady! ;)

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  61. thanks so much for showing us all TNNA!

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  62. It looks like you had such a great time!

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  63. It sounds like you had a great time! I love the idea of events like that, but I will definitely leave the attending of them to other people. Too many people makes me go all uncomfortable!

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  64. I am so tickled that The Paris Apartment sent me here!! As a newly serious knitter, this is nirvana!! I know I shall return to your fabulous blog often!!

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  65. oh, those two images of just yarn -- the yarn hanging and the yarn balls -- i just LOVE them. swoon.

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  66. oh my. this was too much goodness. and now i just want to knit and knit and knit. is it weird to knit poolside? :)

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  67. oh boy! that looks like a super super fun girls weekend experience! wow! i am on sensory overload from afar, so i can only imagine how you guys felt! you and your mom are so cute!

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  68. Those knitting bags are beautiful. It looks like a great time and I love Columbus!

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  69. Anonymous6/26/2009

    What a blast....I am jealous, we have nothing like that anywhere near here.
    Boo Hoo.

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  70. What a great trip! It's the only reason I wish I still lived in Columbus!

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  71. looks like u had a great time. i'd love to meet Nicky Epstein, I own all of her books. her new one "knitting on top of the workd" is so beautiful. a must own. i don't plan to knit anything from the book, but i'm glad i own it.

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  72. Oooh - the Vogue rack - 6 in from the right (fair isle collar), that's my girl Nichole!! We're partners in our knitting events biz and she works here in the shop. It's her first published design and we're so excited for her! (Now if my mags would just get here!)

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  85. looks like u had a great time. i'd love to meet Nicky Epstein, I own all of her books. her new one "knitting on top of the workd" is so beautiful.

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