Estes Park and TNNA: time flies!
June 22nd, 2009
We are finally starting to catch up on sleep after our travels to the Estes Park Wool Market and TNNA!
On June 10, Jess, Casey and I traveled to beautiful Estes Park, Colorado. There is an annual Wool Festival there, and, while we weren’t able to stay for the entire weekend, we would love to go back - just look at the amazing scenery!
Jess and Casey were greeted by the lovely secondsister, who had knit each of them a pair of cozy coordinating socks - such a generous gift! They’ve both worn them frequently since:
We came to the Wool Market to teach a class on Ravelry, called Ravelry: Unraveled. Classes were held in the local high school (our room had a Johnny Cash poster on the wall - cool!) and we felt quite official! The room was full of friendly Ravelers, and of course knitting, crocheting, and spinning in class was not only permitted - it was encouraged.
The class went quickly (for us at least… hopefully for the attendees, too!) and we really enjoyed sharing the details about how Ravelry got started as well as handy tips on how to use the site. It felt like we had just arrived in Estes Park, but early the next morning, we got up and headed to Ohio for TNNA!
When we arrived in Columbus, we met up with Sarah - our first meeting with her since she started working for Ravelry a month ago! Sarah was given such a warm welcome at TNNA - it was great. Lots of questions about “the new baby” and mentions of that silly stork image kept us laughing!
It was great to have the whole team together in person - boy do the ideas flow when we all get talking!
TNNA, our industry’s trade show, is always a whirlwind. There is truly no other way to describe it. From the moment we arrived until we left, it was non-stop activity. Our first event was the Keep the Fleece party organized by BuffaloGuy of Buffalo Gold yarns (mmmm)…
Keep the Fleece is a celebration of fiber in honor of the United Nation’s proclamation that 2009 is the International Year of Natural Fibers. The goal of Keep the Fleece is to raise $250,000 for Heifer International by organizing teams to knit and crochet on the world’s longest scarf! Our job at the party was to help at the front door and sign up shops to sponsor rows on the scarf (they will be sewn together at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival this fall). Anyone can help with this effort - for more details and to participate and talk to others taking part, you can join the Keep the Fleece Ravelry group!
The party gave us the chance to start this year in a festive mood and talk to lots of other TNNA attendees. We met up with new and old friends, walked every inch of the conference center floor (next year I want to wear a pedometer - our feet take a pounding!) and saw an unbelievable amount of beautiful yarn and many exciting new books and publications coming later this summer and fall. The mood of the show was upbeat, busy, and invigorated - great news for all yarn lovers!
As much fun as we have at TNNA, it really is a lot of work (in a good way!). This year, we were even busier than usual, because we taught a class at the show! Together with Kim Werker, we gave a class for LYS owners called “Your Shop and the Internet: Working Together.”
Despite an early class time (8 am on Sunday morning - brutal!) we had a good number of attendees; shop owners with a wide range of comfort and experience levels with the internet. It was very exciting to have been selected to speak at TNNA about something we are so passionate about, and the class had great questions and feedback both during and after the session.
We were also honored to have been present for the outstanding (and hilarious) model-off between Cirilia Rose and Ysolda Teague. They explored all the “knitting + modeling” cliches we could come up with. These two are pros, indeed - just look at the “expert” way they hold their needles!
No post about TNNA in Columbus is truly complete without a mention of that most splendid of treats, Jeni’s Ice Cream. Many have spoken of its charms, and if you’ve never tasted it, I’m sure you are wondering: “seriously, is it THAT good?”
The answer is yes. Yes it is. Jess and I already miss the yummy “goat cheese and roasted cherries” flavor we got hooked on - it will be hard to wait until next year, but wait we must.
Thank you to everyone who we spoke with and met with at TNNA and Estes Park, and especially all of you who took the time to come and hear us speak at either event. There is nothing like a friendly crowd of Ravelers to put us at ease, and we’re honored that you were interested in what we had to share. Thank you!
Updated! Two important, burning issues from the comments:
1) What is the blue shawl that Jess is wearing? The pattern is Andromeda, by Miriam Felton. One of these days we’ll learn that any handmade items we post on the blog require pattern names and links! ;) (To that end: the purple that I am wearing wearing is Ishbel, by Ysolda Teague, and the deep red shawl that Sarah is wearing is the lovely Cleite by Miriam Felton.)
2) When I wrote about “the new baby,” it was a silly reference to the stork image that we used to announce Sarah’s hiring (if you click on the link where I joked about the new baby up above, you’ll see it); lots of people at TNNA thought the image was funny and commented about it. Nobody on Team Rav is pregnant. :) (Sorry, Frecklemom, Mama Forbes, Grammie Philips, and Rainydaygoods’ Mommers. No grandbabies yet… but you have very cute grandpuppies.)
Carry on!
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:54 pm
It looks like an amazing trip — I have an easy question for you - ha, right? -
what is the lovely blue shawl Jess is wearing in the group photo about halfway down? I looked on her finished projects page (being a professional Raveler and all…) but didn’t see it. It’s so pretty and I don’t recognize the pattern! Can you tell me? Thanks (I’m babycocktails on Rav.) No rush AT ALL.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:30 pm
OOHhhhhh my goodness! I felt like this was truly my first TNNA (even though I was at San Diego in January). I feel totally blessed to be in such a crazy fun industry.
The Team Rav portrait is so awesome! And so was this wrap-up…hard to believe it was what, LAST WEEKEND?! Yipes! Good thing Rhinebeck will be here before we know it!
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Just like Thea/Babycocktails I was wondering about the pretty blue shawl. I too did a search, but have not found it yet. Still looking, it would be perfect for spinning camp next month.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:13 pm
looks like you all had a great time!!!!!! I love the site and cant get enough of it!!!!!
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Darn! I wanna come next time! It looks like you had a great time!
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:22 am
Looks like you all had a great time. All I want to know tho is…where can I get the pattern for your turquoise shawl??
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:42 am
I would love to know about the turquoise shawl as well!
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:37 am
Jess! I didn’t know you were pregnant! Congratulations to you both. (I must have been hiding under a rock)
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:43 am
Hey Jess, what’s the pattern for that lovely little turquoise shawlet? It is beautiful.
Ditto the above comments on searching your finished projects, Rav patterns, etc.
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:48 am
*Swoon*.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:03 am
Ahh…Estes Park Wool Market. There is nothing like it. So miss being able to hit that particular festival. Hope you had a great time and at least saw some of it. Next time you go, it you want a tour guide to the area, give me a holler. I would love an excuse to head back west!
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:40 am
When I got back from the show I ordered 6 pints of Jeni’s for “Father’s Day” (not for myself of course). They ship everywhere! And they really are that good. I can’t wait to see you guys again soon.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:54 am
thanks for sharing, looks like so much fun.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:57 am
oh a baby congradulations
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:17 am
I enjoyed meeting you all at TNNA. I’ve even shared the flair (”Where my stitches at?”) with a fellow crafter in my law office who couldn’t go to the conference. You guys are great!
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:41 am
Thanks for sharing this. I really like it when you “blog” on the front page. I love hearing about what’s up with the Ravelry team. I’m real excited to always hear about what little and big changes you have planned or have implemented.
I LOVE the new “did these comments help you - “yes”" buttons on the project pages. Hopefully it will encourage more people to put more project details in their listings. We newer knitters can live by the tips we read there. Thanks for encouraging us all in the right direction!
Val
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Hehehe…grandpuppies are the best! Glad I am not the only one holding out on the wanna-be-grandparents. ;)
Wish I went to Estes Park. Dang.
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
NOOOO!!!! I didn’t know you’d be there! D:
I had to work that weekend and I was sad not to go, but I didn’t think I was missing much, but now….I’m sad cause I can see a few of my friends and people from my craft night in thous pictures!!
I hope your there next year too so I can call in sick that weekend!!
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Wow! I was there! Just happened to be in Estes Park for 5 days vacation… and we didnt even know about the wool market before hand.. I wish I knew you were there. I would have chased you down!!
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Man! I live in Columbus but I couldn’t go because I was away.Darn!!! I guess I’ll have to clear the calendar for next year.
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Isn’t just goregous there. I am from that area and now live in ILLINOIS. UGGG. I miss my mountains. Oh well, glad you had a great time. Next time you will have to stay longer and take in more of the sceanery. Goldie
June 24th, 2009 at 1:09 am
Jeni’s rocks! I was in love with one that was like Mexican Hot Chocolate Ice Cream…spicy/sweet, hot/cold and soooo tasty.
June 24th, 2009 at 6:43 am
What do the letters TNNA stand for? I reread your post and could not find the word spelled out. Sounds like you folks worked hard and had a fabulous time! ~ Janet
June 24th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Hey Janet, TNNA stands for The National Needlarts Association. It’s a trade guild for yarn and fiber pursuits, and counted thread, although the yarn and fiber tends to reign supreme :)
Thanks for the links and for being walking advertisement for me! *mwah!*
June 24th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Thanks for the super updates on activities in Estes Park and Columbus. And as a Columbus local, I can truly say that Jeni’s ice cream is fabulous!
June 24th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Did you stop and see the Stanley Hotel (from “The Shining”) while you were in Estes Park? I live in Colorado Springs and I’ve never even been to Estes Park! haha
June 25th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I was at Estes! I didn’t see you guys like I was hoping to, but I got to pet a YAK. It was awesome.
June 26th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Estes Park sounds great. You must’ve had a wonderful time.
Heifer is a great organization. I’m glad you have promoted their involvement with Keep the Fleec.
June 26th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Estes Park sounds great. You must’ve had a wonderful time.
Heifer is a great organization. I’m glad you have promoted their involvement with Keep the Fleec.
July 14th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Has anyone knit the twinkle patterns? I want to find out more about it…
July 27th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Thanks for the posting re TNNA. It was so much fun. I was fortunate enough to win a door prize from the Peace Fleece party - a beautiful assortment of Zealana Yarn from the Yarn Sisters.
September 1st, 2009 at 8:06 am
Estes Park is an awesome town for hanging your hat and attending the fabulous “Wool Market.” It’s a MUST for every fiber lover! Plus, the local “knit shop”, The Stitchin’ Den is such a treat for anyone visiting …it has something for everyone! The owner, Susan is a tremendous knitter and instructor. Hope ya’ll had a chance to visit the “Den”. I lived just outside of EP and worked for the shop and miss it soooooo!