It comes but once a year

It brings together those of us who believe in its soothing properties and the implied promise of renewed creativity. It gives us a chance to renew old friendships and make new ones.  It feels good to know that, although you’ve fallen away from the local scene, the people who “knew you when” still welcome you as one of their own.  Best of all, we get presents!  What could this magical October event be?  YarnCon!

YarnCon bills itself as Chicago’s only independent fiber festival and yarn-centric exhibition. The convention, now in its fourth year, is the brainchild of “two Chicago knitters and otherwise crafty gals,” Natalia Wilson and Sara Ware.  Wilson and Ware say their intention was to find a way to support and promote locally-owned businesses and producers.  It seems the dozens of vendors in attendance provide fitting testament to the success of their effort.

Since I’m (mostly) on a self-imposed yarn-buying ban, if was not my intention to bring home any fiber.  Trouble is, I couldn’t resist a good sale at Kitchen Sink Dyeworks, a new beautiful colorway from Sophie’s Toes, an adorable wedge bag from Piddleloop or a mystery bag of yarn for $5 from Chicago Knitters Unite.

Turquoise - Kitchen Sink Dyeworks and New Plum - Sophie's Toes

Blue Mystery Yarn and my new Piddleloop Bag

Right now, I think the Kitchen Sink yarn will become Knitty’s beautiful cowl, Eleanor.  Dunno yet what fate awaits either Sophie’s Toes or the Mystery Yarn which I bought, sight unseen.  Chicago Knitters Unite had a table loaded with brown paper bags cryptically labeled “Pretty In Pink” and “Fuzzy.”  I bought a bag of the “Blues.”  All I can say is that I saved so much money that  I cried, “Wee-we-we-Wee!” all the way home.