This weekend I get to try something completely different. I’m going to my first retreat, which will be the Knitting Pipeline Retreat. I was going to just go as a casual observer, but then ended up agreeing to vend on Saturday afternoon, so at least part of my trip may be paid for by the end. Mr. Yarn Geek is staying at home, so this will be the first time I manage everything by myself.

I was stressing a little bit about it but Paula (of Knitting Pipeline fame) has assured me the vendor market is a completely casual affair and if I dump all my stuff in the middle of the table it will be just fine. I'll still probably use the bins somewhat, but dragging in the grid wall is out of the question. Maybe I should just bring a tarp, pile all the fiber in the middle and fulfill that dragon sleeping on its stash fantasy I have. (Of course, I'm just kidding... or am I?)

The past few months have been a whirlwind of dyeing and packaging spinning fiber with a little bit of personal spinning sprinkled in. I really haven’t done much spinning of yarn for sale because most of you seem to want to spin your own yarn. I’m totally OK with that because I’d like to have the time to use some of my own hand spun yarn myself. If someone asks for custom spinning, that would still be fine though.

A few nights ago a neighbor told me about a local show in June promoting the 100th Anniversary of the Keokuk, IA Lock & Dam #19 Power Plant. It was the largest Lock and Dam on the Mississippi, and second longest in the World, for a while. Hugh L. Cooper, who built the Niagara Falls power plant came to Keokuk directly after that and then moved on the build the Hoover Dam. I didn’t know any of this, so that’s cool. All I know is in the winter it freezes above the Dam. Stories tell of a man who accidentally drove his truck off the Ft. Madison Bridge in Winter a while back and walked across to the other side for help. You can click the pictures and it will take you to more about Lock and Dam #19.

Anyway, I guess they are having a vendor market that weekend in the riverfront park next to the power plant and are expecting around 20,000 people to come through during that time. I need to get by the local bookstore to talk to the owner lady about more details, so we may be adding a date to our calendar in mid June.

Whelp, that’s about it for now. What’s going on in your world?

I taught the class 3 times in a row. By the last time I was getting into a rhythm and thing started progressing nicely. This is a picture of the last class where all the "maybes" on the class form decided to show up at once and our little circle expanded.

The class was all about spinning what some call "Bubble Yarn". I just call it thick and thin, but the thick sections are extremely thick and the thin sections are pretty thin. We spent a goodly amount of the allotted thirty minutes going over the actual spinning technique and a few minutes at the end playing with the possibilities for mixing colors together while drafting.

It really was an intermediate spinning class, but it didn't stop a few really new spinners from signing up, and for the most part, they did well. I think the class was a success, but if I ever teach it again it would be nice to have an hour to teach it in. It would also have been great to have a less noisy area, but we all did the best we could and a lovely time was had by all.

The girl (whom we shall call...ME) doesn't belive the stories. When she looks at the center of the kitchen, all she sees is this.

But, legend has it that when YarnCon comes, the table will appear once more. It is foretold that some really tired girl with dye-stained hands will have a big part in the fulfillment of this, and there will be much rejoicing. Yay!

All I know is, that big pile o' wool and silk needs to be labled and stuffed into boxes before tomorrow evening, because we are heading to Chicago, IL for YarnCon this weekend. (April 6-7, 2013) If a table does appear, I'm going to wrestle it into submission and have a dinner party.

End of story.

That Mr. Yarn Geek is so silly.

I present to you, an alpaca eye view of our booth at Heartland Fiberpalooza 2013

Let's take a look back at that first show shall we?

Aw, don't I look cute there, hiding behind all the fiber? Quite a bit has changed since then, in fact, little is the same. It might be a shorter list the state what is still original. We ditched the stands the fiber is hanging on because people kept tripping over the bases. We have our own table now, which we may, or may not use. We have tableclothes that fit. We have gone to gridwall and twirly racks. (I'm sure that's the official name for them) We decided to start using wrap bands to keep the fiber nice for longer. The famous, or infamous, "Fiber Candy" has mostly gone. (For the last time people, it's not edible!) I can't help but notice how clean my Fricke wheel looks here. It was just a baby, but has done well with all the travel these past few years. It has a name now too, Wheel Wheaton.

OK, now let's flash forward to last weekend.

Oh, yes, I forgot about the banner. We are still trying to work out how to hang it effectively inside, but we'll get it right. It worked better in Chicago last year. I'm pretty happy with this, but this weekend I think the fiber will be on the grids and the yarn will be on the twirly thingys.

I'm still slowly learning to count back change correctly, so be patient with me. Someday it will come as easily to me as dyeing fiber does.

See the table cloth hiding the boxes? That was on my mother's kitchen table when I was growing up. We had curtains to match, and light green walls. That fabric is one of my favorite fabrics and it explains some of my color choices now doesn't it?

Want to see something I'm taking to the festival? It's kind of a cruddy picture, but this is a Superwash BFL/ Cashmere/ Nylon sock blend in a brand new colorway currently known as "Aegean Queen". It's so very soft and spins up with hardly any effort at all. When I see it in person, it's hard not to squish it and squee.

View Yarn Geek Fibers 2013 "World" Tour. in a larger map

I'm stepping out on a limb here and trying something new. Today I am putting my very first pattern on Ravelry.com. It is nothing really complicated, but for a first pattern, I feel it should be very easy. The term "winging it" comes to mind here. I am suddenly filled with trepidation. Will it be good enough to put out there where everyone can see it? What will people think when they see how simple it is? Good Lord...did I remember to count the yardage? Gosh, how do real designers do this? OK, enough panicking, time to get over there and make this thing happen.

OK, several hours later and a lot of fretting, here it is, and I feel pretty good about it. Please let me know what you all think of it because I am pretty excited to know. *squee!*

Presenting, the

Puff Rib Cowl

OK, enough of that... instead, let's all

behold my plunder!

Oh Yeah!

Actually, there's more. Since it didn't make it into the above picture, let's start with it first.

One of the first trades of the day was for a Tangerine Designs Police Box Needle gauge and WPI gauge. I think we all know exactly why this is cool, just like fezzes and bow ties.

(Heaven help the dog who decides to munch on this when my back is turned.)

Next up are the hilarious cat cards from katefunk

No cats were harmed in the taking of these photographs. As for Kate and her cat's relationship, well...that just got weird, and I love it!

These were just a few of many to choose from. I ended up with AC and the Chocolate Factory, Godzilla, Jaws, The Lock Ness Monster, something I'll call Space Cat and AC Attacks.

Moving up and to the left, we have the awesome jewelry I traded for from Narcise. My favorite pair of earrings ever were bought from her last year. I simply could not pass up the opportunity for more. She fires glass onto metal, how cool is that!? Very.

I ended up with 2 pairs of her earrings, one in turquoise (of course) and one in gold. I also just had to have one of her bronze (?) dipped seed pod necklaces. This particular one features a morning glory pod, coral, ceramic beads and fancy jasper.

I traded with Jbirdstitch for these fabulous oven mitts. They feature both vintage and current fabrics, and are actually thick enough to render all attempts to burn my fingers, futile.

(Again, Heaven help the dog who chews on these when my back is turned.)

No question about it, I absolutely had to have this hand embroidered pillow made with vintage fabric from Whimsy Vintage. I love everything about it. It is somehow calming with it's chaos of colors and shapes. When I figure that one out, I'll let you all know. It just makes me feel like a happy little kid again.

(Heaven help the dog who shreads this when my back is turned.)

You can also see the top of the cute little apron I traded for from Thimblism, which I adore! It is large enough to cover my ample chesteses and belly and it is handmade in a teacup print in my favorite color combo. I was so excited about it, I put it on and didn't take it off until after Strange Folk Festival ended. Actually, it got worn to dinner as well because I forgot to take it off.

(Heaven help the dog who tries to descrate this when my back is turned.)

At the same time the cat cards were purchased, the other side of the booth was occupied by Innad, a prolific wallet maker after my own heart. You can see my ultimate choice is one of her ultra-slim passport wallets whose print reminds me how bland US money really is, compared to other country's currencies. Having to pick a wallet from her selection was probably the hardest decision I had to make all weekend. I know, I lead a strenuous life.

Last but not least, Rachel from Dyeabolical has been up to her tricks again. She just had to dye up my favorite color combo of all time. I simply could not resist it immortalized in her Alter Ego 100% Superwash Merino Wool yarn and traded her some of my spinning fiber for the pleasure of owning it.

Seriously, I need more yarn like...well, like all sorts of things I don't need. Items that come to mind are, another giant dog, an extra boob, a pink fluffy tutu, a Flea Circus, a lifetime supply of chocolate...no, wait...can I rethink that last one?

The colorway is Fate, Phd if you must know, but this is mine, all mine. (Maniacal Laugh)

There you have it, my conquests from the best Indie arts festival in the Midwest. The hardest part of Strange Folk is trying not to spend everything you make before you leave. If you ever get to take part as a vendor, it is extremely benefical to inquire about trades from other vendors. Believe it or not, I came home with all the amazing handmade items above and spent less than $75 cash.

I am a trading machine.

In the above diagram you will see your plan of attack. You must stash ALL THE YARN!

In order to obtain your target, first proceed to the Pavillion near the Writer's Block and storm

Tangerine Designs

for a nifty Police Box (shh, it's really a TARDIS) Needle Gauge or other great tool.

Then hoof it over to the vendor's tents where you will lock on to

Yarn Geek Fibers

and

Dyeabolical.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to decimate their fiber supplies before the end of Strange Folk Festival at 6pm on Sunday. Craft on my minons!

Now go get yourself a cupcake from The Cup, or a gyro, or heck, get them both...you've earned it.

In all seriousness, this is a great festival. 150 Indie Vendors, more great food than you could ever eat, 10 live bands, and an area especially for the children.

This is the best time we have all year.