Whisper Cardigan, Baz Biz, Sock Summit, and Travel Knitting

Not a lot of knitting progress going on. I mean, I'm making progress on the Whisper Cardigan, but there's not much to show. It just looks like a big lump of knitting.

I lost a couple of days this week to a stomach bug. Ick. Tuesday was a complete wash. Wednesday was a bit better, but still not 100%. But time stops for no sickness -- This week has been exciting in other news!

I signed my vendor contract and handed over my cash for my booth at Sock Summit.



It's real! I'm actually going to be there! I mean, I need a hotel still. And I have months of dyeing and spinning and sewing to get through. I'm already making lists and trying to figure out just how much inventory I need to bring. How much of this, how much of that... There's going to be so much between now and August to do!

I also found out this week that I got a booth at Bazaar Bizarre, at Maker Faire at the San Mateo Fairgrounds May 30-31. I honestly didn't think I'd get one -- over 200 people applied for 90 spaces. I figured there just was no way. But I did! I got a booth! The craft gods were smiling upon me. Baz Biz will be my first show, which I think might have helped my application. They were looking to have 50% new vendors. Well, that's ME! Totally green, totally terrified.

I've been going to Maker Faire every year almost since the beginning, and Baz Biz is always my favorite part. I love wandering around and looking at all the booths... It's like Etsy, but in person. Handmade beautiful jewelry, pottery, fantastic cute t-shirts, and yarn. MY YARN! If you're in the area, come by. Maker Faire is an experience, and Baz Biz is the best.

I've been furiously planning this week for Baz Biz. It's going to come up so soon, since I'll be in Japan for two weeks. That means losing wo weeks of dyeing/spinning/sewing time. I'm trying to get all of my fiber dyed up before I go, so I can spin and dye sock yarn when I come back. Tobin's offered to help me in my booth, and so has Nina.

I put in a big wholesale order last week, just in case I did get a booth at Bazaar Bizarre. I figured, if I didn't, I'd just get a head start for Sock Summit. So, today's work will be winding all of this into hanks:

And as all of this planning for shows is happening, Japan is getting closer and closer. I can't wait! Tobin's already been there for over a week. He's saving up places to take me. I've started to pack, sort of. I've gotten my suitcase out and started piling things up as I remember that I need them: my passport, my cute umbrella, my itinerary. My biggest concern, though, is how much knitting to bring? Two weeks in Japan, two long flights, lots of train rides. It's so hard to say!

So far, I'm bringing Ravi's Argyles (one is finished, but I need to do the second one.), some Marzipan in Robin's Egg for a pair of Hedera's, some Marzipan in Brulee so I can make these knee highs to wear to the Sock Summit Sock Hop, my Pomatomus Socks in some Koigu that have been hibernating for a year or more. That's only 4 projects though. Is that enough? Aside from the Pomatomus, I'm bringing projects with an eye to knitting samples for my upcoming shows. I suppose I should sample something other than Marzipan... I have a new 100% merino sock base... and a new 100% super-soft DK weight base... food for more projects. :)