The Who

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Just under these words, you will see the list of teachers who have done us the honour of agreeing to teach at the Sock Summit. (Soon, my pretties, we will be posting what classes they are teaching and what it costs. Hang out at that website. Very soon.) I want to take a moment to thank not just the teachers who’s names appear here, but the generous sponsors making it possible, and that includes Simply Sock Yarn, Abundant Yarn and Dyeworks, WEBS, Skacel, The Southwest Trading Company, The Fold and a multitude of others without whom we would have just about Zip going on. I’m grateful to all of them, but particularly to those on this list who thought I was nuts when they first heard the idea and took the time to listen – or the ones who thought Tina was nuts when she called them and took the time to listen. (Actually, further to that, I Tina and I would like to publicly thank each other for the number of times we called each other and said this was nuts and took the time to listen.) As you might imagine, surveying that list, we were beyond intimidated by a few of the knitters. Lots of times we thought “They will never say yes in a million years.” or “Her? I can’t call her. Calling her is right out. Sorry. I have a cramp.” Once we got our respective nerves up and called despite the cramps there were even more phone calls back and forth between Tina and I where she would call me up and say “Darn it, I think I just gushed all over so-and-so” and I’d say “Yeah, well. I just flat out told so-and-so that I couldn’t even believe I was talking to them.” There were calls where we both had a lie down after, and there were calls where we both had a stiff drink after. There were whole days with the phone numbers of the sock knitterati sitting on my desk while I hyperventilated over them. All of the calls, all of them, every single one filled both of us with a tremendous glee and gratefulness and surprise and happiness and…we are stupid crazy lucky to get this fine a cadre of sock knitting teachers. I think you can see why we were delirious as the names added up. It’s a pretty historic list. Exceptional, in fact. As I told Joe, to put it in Rock Star terms, it’s like I just hauled off and phoned Mick Jagger, Joe Strummer, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Stipe and Lowell George and invited them over and they all said “Yeah man, Thursday’s great for me.” I’m so proud to have all of them. Every name on there is a sock knitting expert or an expert in a sock related technique. Everybody on there is someone I respect, and some of those names are people I just about worship. (I fully expect to need to be resuscitated the first time that I’m in a room with the sum total of them. Start your CPR training now.) We got exactly what we wanted, nobody said “no” and I could be wrong but I think everybody on that list either thinks this is a good idea or is faking well enough to convince me. I was typing that list last night and I thought wow.

If you build it, they will come.

Holy Crap. This could work.

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Cookie A has designed socks for magazines and yarn companies as well as for her own pattern line which is internationally distributed. She has appeared on the television program Knitty Gritty and has taught workshops around the North America. Her book Sock Innovation is due out in April 2009.

Star Athena is a designer and writer living in Portland, OR. She has contributed both articles and patterns to a number of places in print and online, including Vogue Knitting, Knitscene, knitty.com, and through Ravelry. In 2007, Star was a guest on diy’s knitting TV show “Knitty Gritty” and in 2006, Star began her US version of an annual online spin-along, The Tour de Fleece. She is especially proud of the ribbons she won for homespun yarn at the LA County Fair in 2006 and 2007, and admits to loving the way a big fair can combine excellence in craft with deep fried Oreos on a stick. Star knits, designs and explores the Pacific Northwest, all while writing about it here.

Deb Barnhill received a life-changing gift in 2001: her first skein of sock yarn. Hundreds of pairs later, she still keeps at least one sock project on the needles at all times. She began designing in 2005, with sock patterns published in Knitty.com and the recent Interweave book Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarns (written by Carol Sulcoski). In 2007, she completed the first 52 Pair Plunge in 6 months and 12 days. Sock interests include toe-up, unique constructions and clean finishing techniques. Deb is a wife, mother and pharmacist in Nova Scotia, where friends and coworkers enjoy raiding the “sock box” annually on their birthdays.

Judy Becker is the inventor of “Judy’s Magic Cast-On,” which has taken the knitting world by storm. She believes that knitting is an adventure, and loves bringing her innovative techniques to knitters everywhere. Read more about Judy’s fiberish journey on her website Persistent Illusion.

Lorilee Beltman is the owner of City Knitting, an urban neighborhood yarn shop known for it’s eclectic collection of characters we call “Yarnies”. Sometimes referred to as “Cheers” for knitters, the Grand Rapids, Michigan shop has annually received the local Townie Gold Award for best yarn shop since opening in 2005. In the shop, she most enjoys teaching and observing relationships develop between those drawn together there. Her continental knitting video on youtube.com has garnered considerable praise.

When not entangled in yarn, she enjoys the woods, coffee, napping, being on water in any non-motorized craft, and camping with her husband and three teenage boys.

Anne Berk is a TKGA certified Master Knitter who loves to collect knitting resources and learn new knitting techniques. She enjoys complex knitting, but is also drawn to simple knits, beautifully executed. She feels that her job as a teacher is to make students comfortable, while encouraging them to try new things and discover what they are drawn to. Anne aspires to grow happy knitters, who will get great value from the time and money they spend on their craft.

Cat Bordhi has been a full-time writer and knitting detective since 2002, and also teaches knitting workshops, gives talks at knitting retreats and to knitting guilds, and teaches writing workshops. She lives in a yarn-filled house tucked away in the woods on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, where she is working on the next book in her New Pathways for Sock Knitters series, jumping out of bed in the middle of the night with new ideas more often than is wise. She is the indefatigable author of Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles, A Treasury of Magical Knitting, A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting, New Pathways for Socks Knitters, and the novel Treasure Forest, and is also the creator of more than a dozen entertaining and instructive Youtube knitting videos, like “Slim and Trim SSK’s,” guaranteed to cure your SSK’s of wobbles and flabbiness.

JC Briar: A self-confessed “technique freak” and “skill junkie,” JC Briar dabbles in all kinds of knitting, but has a special fondness for textured knitting and novel construction techniques. If it involves lace, cables, or seamless construction, it’s sure to catch her eye. She shares her enthusiasm by teaching at events such as Stitches, online through NeedlecraftUniversity.com, and on the high seas through CraftCruises.com. Regardless of the topic, she aims to build confidence by expressing concepts clearly and concisely, and by presenting skills and ideas in a digestible progression. When not teaching, JC brings clarity to knitting patterns as a freelance technical editor.

Nancy Bush found her way to traditional knitting techniques and uses of ethnic patterns via a degree in Art History and post–graduate studies in color design and weaving in San Francisco and Sweden. She has published articles and designs in Knitter’s, Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, and Threads. She has been the knitting contributor to PieceWork Magazine and is currently a member of the editorial advisory panel. She teaches workshops in the United States and abroad. She owns The Wooly West, a mail order yarn business in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the author of Folk Socks (1994), Folk Knitting in Estonia (1999), Knitting on the Road, Socks for the Traveling Knitter (2001), Knitting Vintage Socks (2005) and Knitted Lace of Estonia:Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions (2008), all published by Interweave Press.

Laurel Coombs is a passionate and experienced knitter who loves the variety of techniques available inside the sphere of sock knitting. She loves to spread the love of knitting, and wants everyone to enjoy making their socks, their way. She’s been designing for three years, as Lobug of Lobug designs, including sock patterns for the Unique Sheep’s Lord of the Rings Sock club. Laurel knits and designs at home in Portland with her husband and three children.

Angela Davis is a CYCA Certified Knitting Instructor who manages licensing for rock bands by day and knits for fun. She has taught knitting at Abuelita’s Knitting and Needlepoint, and at Blair I.B. Magnet School. She lives in Eugene, OR, and is positively wallowing in sheepy, fibery, happiness.

Carson Demers By day, Carson is a physical therapist who runs an ergonomic program for a San Francisco Bay Area medical center. Every other moment, he’s knitting, spinning, designing, or otherwise up to some fiber fun with a watchful eye toward ergonomics. His passion and experience in fiber arts and physical therapy combine with his expertise in ergonomics to create a unique skill set which he eagerly shares with the fiber community to keep us all creating healthfully ever after.



Amy Detjen was the “List Mom” of the original Knit List for over 4 years, and started “Knit U” for XRX (Knitter’s Magazine) while not organizing Stitches events for almost 2 years. For the last 12 years, she has been Meg Swansen’s assistant at Knitting Camp, an esteemed position, indeed. She is passionate about teaching knitting and helping people learn about their knitting options. Amy has been teaching in the Madison, Wisconsin area for 7 years.

Laurie Drew is a knitter and an Instructional designer for Yahoo! She learned to knit because she needed something to counter the mechanics of technology and to relax and move her hands in different ways. An interest escalated to a need when she took a job at the University of Southern California where she worked on film shoots that specialized in “hurry up and wait”. At her day job at Yahoo! Laurie teaches and writes instructions for a living, which means that her talents as a knitting teacher are very well honed. She loves teaching sock knitting because there are so many magic “a-ha!” moments in a sock to make her students feel talented and clever.

Abby Franquemont is a textile evangelist living in Lebanon, Ohio. She has been spinning since she learned how in the Andes of Peru at the age of 5, and can’t resist teaching others. She blogs at Abbysyarns.com, and has written for Spin-Off, Knitty, Twist Collective, Spindlicity, and more. She is the author of Respect the Spindle, forthcoming this fall from Interweave Press.

Chrissy Gardiner designs knitting patterns for her Gardiner Yarn Works pattern line as well as various publications such as Interweave Knits, Knitty and Twist Collective, from her home in Portland, Oregon. While she designs all sorts of knitted items, she has a particular fondness for and obsession with socks.

Priscilla Gibson-Roberts (also known as PGR) has been called a living treasure of the textile world. Library Journal says Priscilla has “led the current revival of techniques used by traditional fiber artisans,” and her sock-knitting has been featured in Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits, among other places (check out the cover of Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Sock Book . . . those are Priscilla’s socks). Among her books areSimple Socks, Plain and Fancy, which presents her favorite sock-knitting techniques and Ethnic Socks and Stockings.

Marjan Hammink founded Yarnissima in March 2007 and lives in the Netherlands with her husband and three young sons. Marjan has been knitting for as long as she can remember, and as a small child, her grandmother patiently taught her the art of knitting and crochet. She vividly remembers all the socks and beautiful pullovers that flew off her granny’s long, steel needles. Her mother was herself a multi-talented crafter/quilter/designer – and taught her the fine points, as well as the lesson to work with the finest materials and tools you can find. Some years ago, an infatuation with the beautiful, hand dyed Rohrspatz & Wollmeise yarns from Claudia in Germany inspired her to design her own patterns, and socks walked off her needles. Yarnissima fine footwear designs are down-to-earth, but always with an unexpected little twist in them somewhere.

Anne Hanson is Knitspot’s owner and designer, a life-long knitter with a background in the fashion and graphic design fields, who began designing knitwear sometime in the 1970s. Anne also teaches and writes about knitting, spinning, and designing at her blog, knitspot.com, and lives in Ohio with David, who loves wool, too. Anne’s background as a patternmaker/draper, technical designer, and costumer in New York City’s garment district informs her work, providing a rich source of experience in garment construction and fit, as well as knowledge of a wide range of fibers and fabrics. Anne’s design work has been included in Knitty, Interweave Knits, and Twist Collective, as well as several upcoming publications. In addition, her designs have been commissioned for several popular sock and lace clubs, including the Rockin’ Sock Club, the Woolgirl Sock Club, the Yarn4Socks club, the Fearless Fibers Seven Deadly Sins sock club, and the Wooly Wonka Seasons of Lace Club.

Sivia Harding learned how to knit in 2000 and has being churning out patterns since 2003. Her work has appeared in magazines and books such as Knitty.com, Big Girl Knits and No Sheep for You, plus designs featured in the Rockin’ Sock Club from Blue Moon Fiber Arts and the Year of Lace 2008 subscription club from Make One Yarn Studio. This year will see several other designs in publication. Sivia is known for her work with exceptional beaded knits

Stephen Houghton: As an Eagle Boy Scout, Ironman triathlete and aspiring circus freak, Stephen has an intimate connection with socks. This knitter and designer can be heard on Y KNIT, a knitting podcast, genetically-speaking. His proudest accomplishment is teaching sock knitting long-distance over the phone to his mother, after her 35-year hiatus from the needles. Today, they make quite a pair.

Janel Laidman is the author of “The Eclectic Sole, socks for adventurous knitters” as well as the owner and editor of Spindlicity.com, an online magazine for handspinners. Janel is a recent transplant to the Pacific Northwest, where she is hard at work on her next book.

Judith MacKenzie McCuin is an internationally valued teacher, master weaver, spinner, and fiber artist now living in the State of Washington. We love her for thinking outside of the box, teaching only that which she has proven through experience and combining textile knowledge and skill with patience, creativity, stories, history and allegory that hold it all together. Judith is a regular Spin-Off Author and has written two books, Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning, and The Intentional Spinner.

Betsy McCarthy is a designer, instructor and author, and has been knitting and exploring fiber arts since she was a child. She loves sharing her knowledge and inspiring others. Over the past 11 years Betsy has taught widely at national, regional and local knitting events, including Stitches and the Black Sheep Gathering. She lives in Vancouver, WA, where she teaches and supports the local knitting and spinning communities. Her book Knit Socks! was published by Storey Press in 2004.

Denny McMillan (“Ohhhh, *that* Denny!”) is a multifacted textile enabler who can be found working at Toronto’s Lettuce Knit yarn shop. She has a lengthy history of turning even the unwilling into knitters, spinners and weavers — and they like it when she does. It has been said that Denny could teach rocks to spin, and we don’t doubt it.

Melissa Morgan-Oakes was taught to crochet, tat, and sew by women who encouraged her to work without commercial patterns. Looking for new inroads in fiber art, Morgan-Oakes taught herself to spin and knit, designing patterns for her handspun yarns as she went. She brings the perspective of a self-taught knitter to her classes. Morgan-Oakes began teaching at Webs 4 years ago, and hasn’t looked back. Her first book, 2-at-a-Time Socks, was published in December 2007. She writes, designs patterns, teaches and lives in beautiful Western Massachusetts.

Lucy Neatby is a passionate knitter, who designs and writes patterns to entertain the mind as well as the fingers. She shares her love and knowledge of the art of hand knitting by giving a myriad of entertaining workshops. Lucy has won many design competitions, including The Knitting Guild of America’s International Design Challenge and her work has been exhibited widely. She is former Merchant Navy navigating officer and now the owner of Tradewind Knitwear Designs Inc. and author of “Cool Socks Warm Feet” and the Learn with Lucy DVD series.

Tina Newton is the owner of Blue Moon Fiber Arts and the braniac behind Socks That Rock, Sock Camp and the Sock Summit. She knits, spins, has forgotten more about dyeing than a lot of other people will ever know, has a thing for chickens and answers to the name of “depraved dyer” most days. There’s not much she likes more than socks, and that’s good news for everyone. She lives in Oregon with her lovely husband and three charming children, all of whom tolerate the wool as best they can.

Heather Ordover is a contributor to Spin Off magazine, Weavezine.com, Cast-On.com, and is the host of the long-running podcast Craftlit: A Podcast for Crafters Who Love Books. She lives, teaches, knits, spins, and writes in Tucson with her extremely supportive husband, two goofy sons, a couple of loving dogs, and a single melancholy skink.

Clara Parkes spends her days playing with yarn and writing about it every week in Knitter’s Review, which she founded in 2000. She is also also author of The Knitter’s Book of Yarn and The Knitters Book of Wool, and a frequent contributor to Interweave Knits and Twist Collective.

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is a writer, mother, blogger, knitting humourist and philosopher and the author of six funny but mostly useless books about knitting, one of which spent a glorious week at the very bottom of the New York Times Bestsellers list. She lives in Toronto, Canada with assorted teenaged daughters and a long suffering husband, all of whom have her outsmarted. Stephanie avoids housework, loves to teach knitting and works very hard at both. She keeps the blog Yarnharlot.ca in her inestimable spare time.

Deborah Robson is a fiber generalist, with specialized knowledge about spinning, knitting, and weaving. She served as an editor at Interweave Press for fourteen years, including twelve years as editor-in-chief of Spin-Off: The Magazine for Handspinners. She also edited Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot and has worked for a number of other presses. Her sock-specific background includes collaborating with Rita Buchanan on Spin-Off’s “The Joy of Socks” issue (Winter 1992) and Socks: A Spin-Off Special Publication for Knitters and Spinners. She contributed an essay called “Traveling Socks” to The Knitter’s Gift and never tires of knitting, or wearing, handmade socks.

Merike Saarniit has been teaching workshops in knitting, spinning, weaving and dyeing for almost 20 years, and at most Stitches events since 2000. The combination of her traditional Estonian heritage and her contemporary degree in Studio Art contribute to her unique designs and workshop presentations.

Joan Schrouder loves teaching knitters to reason out solutions. Intriguing construction details, seamless knitting and ethnic styles fascinate her. She teaches classes at national knitting conventions such as Stitches and TKGA, plus travels the country teaching for guilds and yarn shops. She also answers technique questions on various internet knitting lists and Ravelry, and has designed for knitting magazines and yarn companies.

Charlene Schurch – Charlene is a process knitter who also likes to wear great knits. She learned to knit on the couch from Mom before she could read. She is also a spinner and dyer and fascinated with all the intricacy and beautiful simplicity available to the knitter with only two sticks and a ball of yarn. She is the author of Mostly Mittens, Hats On!, Knits for Girls and Dolls, Sensational Knitted Socks, More Sensational Knitted Socks and The Little Box of Socks. Charlene has also contributed to; Knitters, Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Piecework and Belle Amoire. The reason socks fascinate her is that they are sculpture.

Amy R Singer is the editor of the online knitting magazine Knitty.com which has had more than 65 million site visits since its launch in 2002. Most people who learn she’s a knitter and knitting magazine editor who is allergic to wool think it’s hysterical. Ha. She’s perfectly happy knitting with cotton and silk, and wrote a book on the subject (No Sheep for You; Interweave Press, 2007). Amy lives in Toronto with her husband and their two rabbits, Boeing and Squeeze.

When Meg Swansen was 5, her mother, Elizabeth Zimmermann, taught her to knit.

At present Meg runs Schoolhouse Press, publishes books, produces instructional knitting DVDs, teaches at Knitting Camp, has written four knitting books, designs for Wool Gathering, has a regular column in Vogue Knitting and continues to be obsessed by knitting. She lives with her cats in central Wisconsin.

Barbara Walker (Note from Steph: Yes. That Barbara Walker.) is the author of the four Treasuries of Knitting Patterns, plus “Knitting from the Top,” “Mosaic Knitting,” “Barbara Walker’s Learn-To-Knit Afghan Book,” twelve other books on various subjects, and numerous magazine articles. Her paintings are featured in “The Barbara Walker Tarot Deck” and the card deck she designed for “The I Ching of the Goddess.” Her “Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets” was named Book of the Year by the London Times. She has received the Humanist Heroine of the Year Award from the American Humanist Association, the Women Making Herstory Award from New Jersey NOW, and the Olympia Brown Award from the Unitarian Universalist Association. She is also listed in that prestigious publication, “Who’s Who in Hell.”

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Barbara has worked as a journalist, dance teacher, professional knitwear designer, artist, and women’s group leader. She currently lives in Florida and serves as secretary to the local mineral club (she is an enthusiastic collector) and is an active member of the Gulf Coast Humanists and the Unitarian congregation, for whom she has presented more than thirty sermons. She is at work on a new collection of essays.

Karen Whooley learned to crochet from her Italian grandmother at age 7 in 1974. In two hours she was literally “hooked”. Never quite happy with the way a pattern was designed; she would always adjust something to suit her needs, or create her own. In 1998, Karen started designing and selling patterns at the urging of another well known crochet designer she met through an online crochet list. Since then she has had patterns published by a variety of magazines and books. Her latest books are Savvy Single Crochet and Shower of Cables. Karen is also a nationally recognized Crochet Instructor, and her classes include a wide range from basic crochet to advanced techniques which include several different types of media in crochet. A California native, Karen resides in the Seattle, Washington area with her husband and two children. She is inspired by the lush environment and the creative art of her home state. She is a Professional Member of CGOA.

Anna Zilboorg is a reknowned knitter and designer. She was educated at Harvard, taught at MIT and then fled academia and set out on a pilgrimage that finally left her a hermit on a mountain, in love with wool. She is a teacher of note and experience, and the author of Magnificent Mittens, Knitting for Anarchists, 45 Fine & Fanciful Hats to Knit, Socks for Sandals and Clogs and Fancy Feet: Traditional Knitting Patterns of Turkey.

341 thoughts on “The Who”

  3. I can’t even read all of them yet, I am so excited!! It is going to be so much fun. Thanks so much to all who made this possible for us knitters.

  4. I would absolutely come to this, if my roommate wasn’t getting married in Indiana that weekend

  7. Good heavens! I can not believe how many amazing folks you have on this list. You and Tina are fantastic, hard-working women to have created this event. Astounding!!

  8. swoon………………
    *the* DENNY?!
    Barbara Walker tempted me, Cat Bordhi charmed me, Nancy Bush took me out and never called me back, Meg Swanson was too much woman for me…. but I *know* that Denny will go out for brunch when she’s done with me.
    Amazing list that – now go, sit, sip some wine and knit.

  11. Waaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiit a minute. *The Barbara Walker*??? I didn’t even know she was still knitting. This is like getting J.D. Salinger to casually pop by to deliver a commencement address. How did you do it? And by the way, when will you and Tina realize that *you two* are two “who’s”, too?

  12. I first went to socksummit.com and saw the list there. I read through the names (just amazed!) and when I saw “Barbara Walker”, I thought: Nah, it couldn’t be. Then I clicked her name and it was if you were directly answering me: “Yes, THAT Barbara Walker”. I had to giggle.
    I’m saving my pennies… hope to make it to Portland in August!

  13. I sit in absolute AWE of what you have done! If I were to attend (which I can’t, sadly enough), I’d be the one wandering about in a complete daze of total hero worship….

  15. Barbara WALKER?! Holy [unladylike word]!!! I have to confess that I first got to know her scholarly feminist work and then was bowled over many years later when I took up knitting and discovered her other life. As for the rest of the list…. Excuse me, but I need a liedown now!

  16. Barbara Walker. Really? I imagine that was a lie-down followed by a stiff drink AND chocolate.
    My goodness, you certainly know how to outdo yourselves!

  19. Please Gods of knitting allow me to win enough in Lotto to attend the Sock Summit. I promise never to use you names in vain again

  21. Yup. You were right, it’s incredible. (And the chance that I will someday get to shake Barbara Walker’s hand has just improved dramatically.)
    Fabulous work. 🙂

  22. Shouldn’t there be some kind of rule about putting that many important knitters in one place, like how the Royal Family can’t all fly together?
    Seriously, though, amazing list and an amazing amount of work. I don’t sock but I can’t wait to hear all about this.

  23. Am seriously considering blowing off my family reunion and bringing the wrath of my family down upon me in order to attend the Sock Summit. That list is amazing!

  28. Oh my goodness I’ll be 8 months pregnant and I live on the other side of the country but if I can bribe my doctor and my husband and possibly my dad (for funds!!!) I will so be there!

  30. Hey Steph and Tina-
    I know I’ve heard the list before and we’ve talked about it . . . but my god. Seeing it all listed out there in print that takes about an hour to read through. Lucky for me it isn’t news so I am not losing my voice screaming with happiness like I did when we found out we actually had Barbara Walker. I threw a handful of Sivia Harding beads from sock club down Tina’s front to celebrate and if you two were here right now I would throw a bucket of beads over both of your heads. Bravo for all the amazing work you two have done while I sit here working on my book and cheering you on. We knitters are so well on our way to taking over the world. Soon they will sell not only knitting magazines in airports, but have whole yarn shops in airports and learn-to-knit kiosks for waiting travelers. Really. I think we shall see that in our lifetimes. Can’t wait.

  31. words fail The Barbara Walker
    OH MY overheating and hyperventilating
    Saint Stephanie and Saint Tina
    you two have built it and we shall come!

  32. All of these amazing knitters are going to gather in Portland??? It’s like a dream come true! The non-knitting part of the city may never recover. 😉

  34. Wow. Sure reads like a who’s who of sock knitting!
    (But forgive me if I’ve missed it, but I couldn’t find any mention of a location on that main page.)

  35. Holy Crap is right. I kept going doing and thinking, “Who’s left?” So this thing’s only going to be about 3 months, is it? Intriguing.

  36. I woke up yesterday morning wondering if you were going to have a couple pedicurists at the Sock Summit. You know, like they sometimes have massage therapists with their chairs at spinning and weaving events?
    It would be a nice treat for participants. And it would be a gracious nod to those ‘pink collar’ ladies working in that field during tough economic times.

  38. OH
    MY
    GOSH!
    You guys have come up with a heck of a list of teachers!!!!!! I think you mis-named this event. I see a lot more than socks in store for this event!!!!

  39. Holy cow. You weren’t kidding about the rock star factor. My jaw dropped when I saw Meg Swansen – and then dislocated when I saw Barbara Walker. I think I don’t want to know what kind of unholy bargains you and Tina have been making…and I think I’d better start saving my pennies.

  43. “Holy Crap.This could work.”
    Of course this will work. It’s a great idea brought about by two great people!And Holy Crap-you weren’t kidding about the talent you have lined up!I’ll have to live the Summit vicariously through you however-no money to actually get there myself.But never fear-I’ll be kniting socks all that weekend in honor of the Summit!

  45. I’m hyperventilating just reading the list, let alone trying to imagine all that knitting royalty/knowledge in one place at one time. You and Tina should be extremely proud of yourselves. I feel as though I’m channelling Mike Myers, “I’m not worthy……….”

  46. I’m hyperventilating just reading the list, let alone trying to imagine all that knitting royalty/knowledge in one place at one time. You and Tina should be extremely proud of yourselves. I feel as though I’m channelling Mike Myers, “I’m not worthy……….”

  47. OMG. I was saying to myself, yep, gotta be there. I’ll drive, take Amtrak or fly, but I’m gonna be there. Then realized I’ll be in Prague with my mother tracing HER mother’s roots until the 8th. Huge bummer. Since my mom’s already 82, I’m going to have to seriously miss Sock Summit this year. I’m in tears. Next year… next year… next year…

  48. *Sniff* I signed up to go to, of all places, Canada those exact dates. Waaaahhhhh! Will there be class videos for sale? A program book with articles in it?

  49. OMG…time to change the Depends. How is one to ever decide which classes to take? So…how long is this Sock Summit gonna be? Six months? Yea, I can be away from my family for that long…looking forward to it!!!

  50. Wow. You guys are going to have a fantastic time! I’m so sad that I won’t be able to be there…hopefully there’ll be a Sock Summit II. 🙂

  51. You do realize that your server is going to crash about 30 seconds after registration opens, don’t you? No one makes a server that will be able to withstand the onslaught of crazed knitters all trying to register at once. I am gobsmacked by that list.

  52. Later when people talk about this Sock Summit it will be like the Woodstock of this knitting generation! Just to keep with the music analogy.

  53. Holy s—! Now THAT is a list! Meg Swanson?! Barbara Walker-geez she doesn’t even knit anymore!!! I bow before you….

  54. Holy crap! Barbara Walker and Anna Zilboorg! Swoooooooon. Get a grip. You’re just reading a list of people who will come together to teach other just-as-fabulous-people how to knit socks. Nancy Bush. Cookie A. Stephanie Pearle-McPhee (who’s that?). ALL THE OTHER NAMES. Oh, I’m gonna lose it. I soooo want to attend.

  57. I am so excited, I can hardly stand it! This will be the Super Bowl and World Series of sock knitting, all in one place! I feel like a little kid waiting for Santa.

  58. But, but, but,.. the summit is only four days long! How can I take classes with ALL of them in only four days???
    Actually, I would probably just swoon at their feet and miss the class anyway.
    WHAT. A. LIST.

  59. *You’re* going to need to be resuscitated?? Good grief woman, you are on the darned list. How do you think the rest of us are going to react? I literally just sat here at my desk with my jaw dropping further and further as I read on down the list. I am amazed and excited and ever so hopeful that I might be able to save the money to go to Sock Summit. Sadly, I expect that I will be watching from afar.

  60. So, like, is there any chance mere humans will get to attend this thing? Where do we find out more about it? Do yarn bribes work?

  61. OH. MY. GOD.
    I am hyperventilating. Help me please. Barbara Walker. Meg Swansen. Priscilla. Nancy, Anna, Anne…and of course neither last NOR least, STEPHANIE!
    OH. MY. GOD.

  63. **Boggle** Are you sure the convention center won’t explode from all that talent in one place? Does the City of Portland know what they are getting into?
    And hey, can we have a field trip to see how many knitters fit on the Tram?

  65. Consider (if someone hasn’t already suggested) making a DVD of the fun for those of us unable to attend???

  66. there is no way this thing can be affordable with that many awesome teachers. and i hope its more than a week long, because how would you be able to pick which classes to go to??
    you guys are crazy. (genius crazy)

  67. OMG What a list of wonderful people. I’ll be there with open neurons ready to grab ideas and friends!
    Love and thank to you and Tina for organizing this.

  69. I feel completely inadequate. Sivia Harding, goddess of all things beaded, including socks, has only been knitting since 2000? OMG! I learned to knit about 5 years ago because I knew I had the soul of a sock knitter. I was in the BMFA Rockin’ Sock Club for two years and loved it, and I think I’m pretty darned proficient. But to do what she’s done after knitting less than a decade?!?! Talk about brilliant. I am awestruck. Simply awestruck.

  70. WOW! I cannot wait to get the details about the classes and registrations! This is going to be awesome!

  72. Major kudos to you two! I’m reading the list and saying to myself, “Wow…wow…WOWWW…Holy cr*p!…wow…no WAY!!” Gonna have to call my brother in Vancouver to reserve their guest room now…

  73. All I can say is … HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m SO there. Even if I can’t get into a class with such knitting geniuses, just breathing the same air will be great!!!

  76. I am so bummed that I can’t attend due to a family commitment happening that very weekend. RATS!

  77. “Today, they make quite a pair.” harhar!! Too funny.
    And- WOW!! that’s an incredibly impressive list!
    Congratulations- one wonders how you could ever have doubted such an inspired plan.
    You must be so proud.

  78. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. My. Goodness. Wow. Oh.
    I think I’m hyperventilating and I need chocolate, wine, a beer and a little lie-down. All at once. Now.
    Oh. Thank you to you and Tina. Thank you. I am humbled. And speechless. And very glad to live in Portland.

  79. Stephanie, as I read through your wonderful list of teachers something occurred: The category of neglected knitting-book topics, the niche without any books: How to teach knitting.
    Hope someone writes it soon, I’ll be first in line for a copy.

  82. All I can say is, WOW! As the world’s slowest sock knitter, even I am inspired to jump in. You’ve both “done good” and I can already imagine the after-parties will be the stuff of legends.

  84. OH. MY. GOSH. SO. EXCITED. !!
    Lucky me, I’m CPR certified (ACLS in fact) but bummer that I won’t be able to resuscitate myself. 😀

  85. I couldn’t even type in my email address, I’m so impressed!
    My son and his family lives just outside of Portland… and I have (HAVE) to go there this May. I wonder if I can save up enough for TWO trips there in one year…
    And finally – Steph, don’t you think that some of those people were thinking the same thing when you called? “Omg, it’s the HARLOT!” aka Michael Jordan of knitting, no less.
    silly girl
    (Damn! Barbara Walker?! Geez, the whole LIST is a knitters’ who’s who)

  88. I am just miserable that I am too far away and have not the extra $$$ to make the 3000 mile trek to go. I am, though, absolutely impressed by the whole thing and wish those of you who can go the best fun in the whole wide world!!!

  89. Lucy’s DVDs are great. I have learned so much from them. And the Socks 2 DVD has so many techniques. They are worth their weight in knitter’s gold (cashmere, of course)

  90. My heart just stopped.
    This is an insane list. Truly insane. All that collective wisdom in one place. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.
    Thank you. Most sincerely.

  94. What, you couldn’t get Elizabeth Zimmerman? 😉
    I hope it comes together smoothly, and you make beautiful magic together. I’m a little concerned, though – the SuperCollider didn’t end the world, but this might…

  95. I think I need to sit down after reading that list. I started guessing who might be on it, and every name I thought of was.

  98. Good one, Steph. I almost bit. Now — who’s really coming?
    (By the way, “The Melancholy Skink” would make a great name for a pub.)

  100. Must… remember… to … breathe!!!! I cannot fathom this list of greatness being in one place (as she bows to the great and powerful Stephanie and Tina)!

  102. Is there any way you could do a live feed? Or a tour? Or twitter everything that anyone says?
    I’m very jealous (world’s biggest understatement ever).

  104. amazing. absolutely amazing!
    (and YAY for having Lorilee Beltman and City Knitting mentioned. I love it there.)

  105. Are you serious! WOW. WOW. I can’t say anything else. Its like knittig royalty in our little city. Wow.

  107. OMG! I can’t believe the cast of characters! The Creme de la Creme! I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ve got my ticket ready and my stay secured!
    Thanks so much Stepanie and Tina and everyone else that help pull this together!

  111. I started hyperventilating just reading that list, and swooned a bit when I saw Nancy Bush AND Barbara Walker… I have GOT to figure out a way to get to Portland in August…

  112. Ouh, and I’m sitting here in Germany without any chance to come over….
    Okay, Ladies, my best wishes for a lot of fun and a wonderful Sock Summit!
    (but please feed us with a lot of pics…will you?)

  113. With all those teachers, will there be any room left for participants? Sadly, I won’t be able to make it, unless a miracle happens (or the lottery)!
    It sounds absolutely amazing. well done.
    Janet MF

  114. You have brought me to tears. Your dedication to all knitters everywhere goes way beyond priceless. Assembling such a group…wow! What a constellation! To be in the same room with you, SPM, will be the GREATEST honor of all. You are the Rock Star.

  115. Holy crap indeed…like several others, it will take winning the lottery for me to attend but wow…I am thrilled for all…nice job Steph…

  116. HOLY…….COW!
    That is totally amazing. And I knew we had lots of talented fiber people here in the PNW, but I didn’t know just how many there were!
    I need to win the lottery. Or just get a job. This is a lousy time to get laid off. 🙁
    I know Stephanie must be learning this pretty darn well by now, but we also have AMAZING beer over here.
    I’m making myself envious and I live just two hours from Portland!

  118. Oh my! Wow! Golly, gee! Takes my breath away. Holey moley! My stars! Maybe you should invite some non-sock knitters who know CPR. You probably can’t count on the knitters.
    Wow! This is historic.

  119. I would be in seventh heaven if I could just be in the same room with Nancy Bush for five minutes. I will be thinking of everyone who’s there, having so much fun. Maybe those of us who can’t go should knit socks along with those who are there, since we’ll be there in spirit anyway.

  120. Stephanie, I looked and looked on the website for the LOCATION of the Summit and couldn’t find it.
    Where will it be held?

  122. Oh my gosh, this sounds *awesome*. Star is my absolute second-favorite knit blogger. After, of course, the Yarn Harlot herself.

  123. How in the name of all that is holy (but hopefully not my socks) did you ever get them all?? Jesus H. Christ on a raft!!!!

  125. Holy crow! How are we supposed to choose between classes with names like this? This is going to be absolutely amazing. I just hope the universe doesn’t implode with all of this greatness in one spot.

  126. Holy crap Steph. Barbara Walker??!! And all the others! I think that you and Tina are definitely cut out for this.

  128. Utterly Speechless.
    Aren’t you guys in the “Holy Sh*t look what we did” kind of bubble right now?
    I mean, really Steph, WOW.
    I can’t wait.

  130. Supposedly that is how the Traveling Wilburys formed. I’d have to look it up to get the details and order right, but the story goes something like this = Roy Orbison was in town and stopped over at George Harrison’s and he said “well, we have to go over to Tom Petty’s and get my guitar…” so they wandered over and started messing around with a song, and wanted to record it and someone said “well, call Bob Dylan, maybe we can use his studio” and they did and he was home and they went and all hung out and recorded Handle with Care. And it was GOOD….
    You, my friend, have put together the Traveling Wilburys of Socks.
    I am now going to kvetch to everyone in listening distance that there is no way on God’s green earth that I can go to Portland. Because I would move planets to be in the same room as PGR, Yarnissima AND Barbara Walker. I’d even bring my defibrillator for the obvious heart attacks that would ensue.

  133. O. M. G. *That* Barbara Walker and *That* Meg Swanson? And Anne Hanson and Sivia Harding and….???? I am breathless. Stephanie, you and Tina have assembled an incredible number of fabulous and fabled knitters. The knitting world may never be the same.

  135. I can’t believe that this abundance of knitting luminaries is descending on my home town. WOW! Looking forward to the class list, and August. Thank you so much for organizing this.

  138. Wow, that is an amazing list. I am so envious! You don’t fancy a road trip to Australia any time soon do you?

  141. Unbelievable. When I saw Meg Swansen’s name… I had to read it a couple of times. How did you pull that one off?? You are awesome.

  142. Um. Wow. Are you really sure you should gather this much knitting knowledge in one location? The mind reels…

  143. Stephanie…
    You didn’t tell me I would be teaching at the same event as *THE* Barbara Walker!
    My Top Down Crochet Sweaters Book was inspired byt her top-down techniques. I cannot believe I will have a chance to meet her.
    Experienced teacher or not… I feel like such a little nobody now!

  146. Have fun…I will have to miss out considering that I almost spit out my breakfast and fainted dead away when YOU sat beside me at breakfast in Kananaskis for the Make One Retreat. There is NO WAY I could handle all of those people and not become a bumbling idiot!

  151. What? You didn’t get my proposal to teach?
    (wondering if that sort of hilarity will help me save $$ for the plane tix)

  152. MEG……SWANSON?????? eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
    i’ve never wholly believed she was a real person, more a sort of “knitting urban legend”! so, steph… just how far IS portland from toronto??? i wonder if getting there this summer just might be do-able…..

  153. Yowza. Surely at least ONE of those sock stars could teach me how to knit socks. It has eluded me thus far. I wish I could be there.

  155. Barbara Walker lives on the gulf coast of Florida? That means that no matter where, she lives within about a 4 hour drive of me. Wow. Just saying. This is a big shock to a Florida knitter, we are a state that struggles to represent in the knitting world. No longer! Barbara Walker is one of us!

  156. holy crap. yes, please. Cat Bordhi, Cookie A, Nancy Bush, Barbara Walker and Meg oh-my-goodness Swansen in the same place? where do I sign up?

  159. Whoa, THE Barbara Walker? I heard she learned everything there was to know about knitting and then walked away. And now you tell us she’s back? omfg. If she simply talks about women’s empowerment or the tarot, it will still be awesome. If she knits in the back of the room somewhere, it will be beyond awesome. I cannot believe that you contacted her, and that she’s going to be there! Truly a living legend in knit-dom.
    And then there’s everybody else!
    You are a force of nature, Steph. A force.

  161. I rarely comment her (since everything has usually been said by the time I check in) but I have to chime in with “holy @#%$#” that’s quite a list of sock elite. I’m sure it will be a blast.

  162. I told myself, no. There’s no way to go to an event like that. I couldn’t possibly. Then, you disclose the Who and I’m desperately adding up the spare change between then and now. I may ask for an early Christmas – in August – yeah – that might help…
    What a cast of knitterati. We bow to your expertise and imagination!

  164. Gee am I glad that my sister lives in Portland. This is definitely the “A” list party of the century!

  166. So, as a Unitarian Universalist and a knitter, I have to say that I am so excited to find out that Barbara Walker is one of my people! Yippee! Our church has rooms named after famous Unitarian Universalists…I may have to see about renaming one…especially the one where our shawl ministry takes place…

  167. Wow. Just wow. I want to go to this so bad. I have to convince my mom to go with me (I’m 20, and she crochets, but I would feel totally weird travelling across the country alone! And I think she would enjoy all the cool knitting people!)

  170. I can’t even fathom what you’ve managed to accomplish here.
    I get light-headed just looking at the list.

  171. WOW! Double WOW!! Triple WOW!!! Unbelievable cast, but would we expect anything less of SPM?
    Will be looking into selling my meager family jewelry collection in order to attend. This could be just what I need to jump start my return to sock knitting.
    Will there be any sheep? My Shetland Sheepdog would like to attend also. Need to know soon, because it could take us a while to hitchhike to Portland.
    “Brava” to you and Tina.

  172. Holy ardvaark pucky, Stephanie! Unbe-(insert your favorite euphemism here)lievable cast of characters.
    I just may have to clear my schedule and come hang out for this one, as even with virtually no budget to speak of I’m sure this will be well worth giving up something else to get there.
    Will you guys go easy on us neophytes? I’ve only made 4 pair so far and none is what I’d call a superb rendition of footwear!

  173. All I can say is Waaaaaaaahhhh! The goddesses of knitting are all going to be together in one place (and the world may spin crazily that day, from the density of all that knittingness) and I can’t be there!!! No fair!!!!

  174. I am so ready to pack my bags. My husband just agreed to go with me. Being fairly new to sock knitting, I can’t wait. This will be my first knitting conference. I’m sure it will spoil me so I hope you are already planning for the next one. I wonder if there be refunds on classes if we miss them due to wandering around in disbelief at where we are and who we are seeing?

  178. Hi! This is my first time! (to your blog). WOW
    This super knitters party sounds wonderful. But I looked all over and I can’t find the where-when-how much etc. info?? Please let me know as I’d love to be there! Thanks, Nancy

  180. I was hyperventilating when I was only halfway down the list.
    Then I go to post and the previous post is by “Catherine” with exactly what I would write too- if not beaten to it. Synchronicity.
    But nevertheless… Oh. My. God.
    Wow.

  181. I don’t think I can make it to the Sock Summit myself, but I’ll print out this list, fold it, enclose it in a fancy pouch (OK, it’s a recycled lace-weight swatch) and put it in my knitting bag as an amulet.

  182. So, (probably from being in a daze from watching the Obama security during the Ottawa visit), I’m compelled to add: spread these amazing people around a bit so that if a meteorite just happens to fall out of the sky, the entire sock knitting pantheon won’t disappear in one poof.

  183. Have you informed Homeland Security of this event? The VIPs of the knitting world all in one place at the same time??
    At the very least, you must file and Environmental Impact Report.

  187. Oh, I am excited. Squeeee. I can’t believe I only just found out and it’s right here in my hometown!
    Oh, I saw the update email where you said there must be something better than “potential Sock Summit attendees.” Well, if it’s a sock SUMMIT, then we must all be sock climbers.
    Looking forward to it!

  189. I think I just had a heart attack from the sheer AMAZING exuding from this list! Talk about star power!
    I am so there. SO there.

  190. SUMMIT is the word that I heard. I can see it really will be a summit – when it was initially mooted I though it was a bit tongue in cheek, but now I see that it isn’t. Wow.
    It just goes to show you ‘that 90% of life happens just by turning up!’ Wow, enjoy, it will be amazing.

  193. OMG! Those people and **Barbara Walker!** That’s like having all those rock stars and Eric Clapton, too. I so want to be there.

  194. OK, who wants to carpool? If we split the driving we can get a lot of knitting done coming from NJ.

  195. Holy crap. When I thought there could not possibly be any more, I’d scroll down and find the list just keep going and going. Is this for real? Seriously, congrats to you and Tina for the stupendous line-up.

  196. I have a certification in first aid/ cpr and work as a medical dispatcher… so maybe I better sign up just in case!
    Seriously, good work you two! Way to raise the workshop bar!

  197. Un F’ing Believable!!!! I feel lightheaded reading the list. I just want to lay eyes on Barbara Walker. It would be like seeing George Washington, or Roget (of the thesaurus) or the guy who started the OED. I’m very very very excited. Can you tell?

  198. …..!!!!! For once, I truly am speechless in reaction to that list. *g* Just– !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I have *got* to manage to have money for one – at least one! – class. I thought I’d maybe wander around the market, see Ravelry friends, hang out and knit…you know…since I *live* here… But with so many of you stars? One. Just one. Absodamnedlutely. (And hey! The Famous Judy! *eg* Congrats! ::grabs Judy to bounce up and down in excitement::)
    Oh, for the ones who haven’t managed to find out where it is – Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon. Great venue. Right on mass transit, just across the Willamette from downtown Portland. And in early August, we usually have temps in the 80’s-90’s, sometimes 100+ (yes, really), so bring light layers. 😉
    Stephanie and Tina, magnificent job! Unbelievable!

  199. Absolutely AWESOME people for teaching at Sock Summit. How do I sign up?? When exactly is it? Sounds like it is in Portland, Oregon.

  200. Holy Crap. I knew I wanted to go. I knew it would be cool. I know my aunt lives nearby and has a nice couch. Now I know I HAVE to go. That list is definitely rockstar material.

  201. Amazing, absolutely amazing. Just getting to talk to each of these incredible knitters must have been quite a feat. Congratulations on being able to put together all these great people in one place, at one time. It will be unforgettable.

  202. OMG I nearly passed out when I read this. You and Tina did not undersell the unbelievable list that you’ve put together for this. Now, I have even more reasons to day dream about what I’d do if I won the lottery.

  203. Oh my Gosh! I SO have to go. Can Abby teach me to drop spindle? Can she teach me how to kick spindle? Can I worship at all the amazing sock knitters feet? I am doing this! No one is stopping me! The kids can feed themselves for a few days.

  208. I was going to write “Barbara Walker?!?! Holy Crap!!” but about 167 people beat me to it. Congrats on the roster. Spectacular. I will be there.

  209. Not even a sock knitter (I know!) and I wanna go. I’ve been collecting sock yarn, though, and working up my nerve. Amazing list of teachers.

  210. Wow. No, really: wow. I must add my voice to the chorus of “BARBARA WALKER?!?!”
    Also, I know this is huge and lots of work. I know you guys are giving it your all. I know there is no substitute for being there. But I also know that I won’t be there. Lots of us who would love to be there simply can’t make the trip. SO… have you and Tina considered making any kind of materials available after the Summit? DVDs or something? Just curious. And a little desperate. I mean, Barbara Walker.

  211. I about fell out of my chair when I read it was happening in my hometown…Portland Oregon… How lucky are we? thanks so much

  213. I think you *could* get Springsteen to attend if you made the call; clearly you and Tina have mighty powers of persuasion. Congratulations on assembling one incredible roster of knitterati!

  216. Forgot to add…. not *rock* stars… those incredible folks are SOCK STARS. (but y’all knew that).
    The Sock-Shaped State strikes again, ==Marjorie

  217. Ok, now I KNOW what I want for my 30th birthday.
    Any chance of a Sock Summit tour to Israel? Yeah, color me jealous.

  218. OMG…I’ve got to go sit down. Wait – I am sitting down. I think I’ll go lay down – I don’t want to wake up from this dream I’m having.

  219. WOW! I cannot believe what you guys have put together! So I’m asking myself an important question. We picked September of this year to go on that cruise to Alaska we’ve been wanting to take ever since we got married. Will our trip insurance would cover cancellation because the Sock Summit is far, far more important???

  220. Could you possibly call my son and ask him to reschedule his wedding so that I could attend the Summit. It sounds so awesome! and my time that week is so previously booked.
    Already rooting for Sock Summit 2.

  221. Congratulations on putting together such a fantastic Sock Summit – just wondering if you guys could be persuaded to come out to Australia to put on something similar?! We just don’t have anything like this!!
    Enjoy!

  223. Holy Crap is right!!! Actually, what popped into my head was something more like “Holy Fair Isle Batman! How is anyone going to be able to choose which teacher they want to play with?” Now all I have to do is win the lottery so I can afford to go LOL! I’ve been fortunate enough to take classes with several of the amazing teachers you have on your list, and I want to take more! I’m a dye hard (yes, I spelled it that way on purpose. My name is Dyepotgirl after all LOL!) fan of Lucy Neatby. Judith and Nancy make me swoon with delight. I could go on and on with quite a few others on your way too cool list. All I can say is I hope you’ll do one on the East coast next year! Wow!

  224. I’d give anything to be able to attend this Sock Summit. Well, just about anything.
    I hope one day knitting in Dubai will be so widespread and that our numbers will grow enough to warrant our own Sock/Knitting Summit with even a fraction ofthe stellar names on your teaching list.
    Good luck!

  225. Amazing, absolutly amazing!!
    BTW, it never dawned on me, that THIS Barbara Walker and THAT Barbara Walker is actually the same person. You mean, I read books from her even before I knew her from the treasury books?! Really??! I need to lay down…

  226. How about something for us folks who could never afford/travel that far/or can’t travel period? Could it be possible to maybe buy the handouts that will be given out in the classes given by these Goddesses of Knitting? That way we, the undedeserving, could at least have a taste of kneeling at their feet while learning their graciously given tips and secrets to superb work? I WANT TO GO!!!WAHHHH! Why ain’t I rich??

  227. Not only is THE Barbara Walker coming, but it turns out she may be one of the few people alive who would understand my annual dilemma when Madrona and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show fall at the same time.
    And this give me a good deadline for finishing that simultaneous set-in sleeve top-down on this year’s to-knit list.
    PS Thanks for letting the rest of us know that even the likes of you and Tina feel intimidated by the people on this list.

  231. Portland. May as well be on the moon! Sorry to whine! I hope it will be well-covered on the blogs.

  232. Well, you finally made me cry. Your daughters’ birthdays almost did it, Joe stuck between a rock and a hard place at midnight, too. But. The idea of all of those heroines/heros in one place at one time … it is going to be the Acropolis (aka a place of the gods) of knitting.

  234. If we do sit at the kids table Abby, that means we can finish our dinner fast and do a lot of running around, or maybe cuddle on someone’s lap during dessert. It’s going to be super fun.

  236. CRAP.. thats LIKE THE ENTIRE Knit ROCKSTAR LIST!
    Dude- you better get Franklin to photo…. this will be EPIC!
    (hmmm I have to start plotting to get there….)

  237. I’d be truly impressed if you got an answer to calling up Lowell George as he went to guitar heaven a long time ago but I am impressed that he’s on your list. I went all the way to Buffalo (but it wasn’t for the midnight show) and saw him live with Little Feat (one of my all time favorite bands and my Mothers as well. I used to take her to see them when they came to town)

  240. Barbara Walker??????????????????? Wow, that’s this side of producing Elizabeth Zimmermann herself! Oh my goodness!!!
    Any thoughts on what the convention might cost (ballpark) so I can start saving my pennies now??

  241. OMG!! I am speechless (quite a novelty). That’s some crowd you’re assembling! I am presently guilty of envy in a big way! When will you bring this awesome assemblage within driving distance of New Jersey? Sounds like sock kniters heaven to me!!

  242. Holy Crap. By the end of that list, I had pick my jaw up off the floor. How awesome are you and Tina to gather such an impressive lot of knitting-folk legends! I will not be able to attend but will await the stories afterwards.

  244. WOW ! The sock summit teacher list is incredible ! It is on my “to do” list for sure. I happened to notice your cowl on my list also ! Now that you are home, have the summit planned, and looking for things to do … might you get that pattern posted ? No pressure, just a reminder lest you forget how much your public loved that pattern.

  246. Holy yarn! I feel like a need a lie down or a good stiff drink after just reading that. I can’t imagine how you two managed to assemble that list…
    I’d been thinking that it might be fun, that I might like to go, that it might be a good way to spend a weekend. And then I saw that list and am now compiling a list of things that I would do to be able to get there (it’s a really long list).
    But there’s one question: what are you guys going to do to handle all the knitters who hyperventilate or pass out or are otherwise unable to handle the assembled awesomeness?

  248. I just also have to say, now that I’ve regained some of the blood in my head, that you’ve just greatly expanded the list of books I want. I can’t make it Sock Summit, but I’d love to buy some of those books I haven’t seen before!

  249. Dear, dear Harlot, you don’t seem to realize that you, too, are on the list of the illustrious in the knitting world. When YOU are too shy to talk to a knitter you see, or who is sitting next to you, THEY are where you are with knitters you just listed: awed beyond belief and speach. Let’s face it, the thing about knitters, well known or not, is that we love to share our craft with others.
    By the way, Barbara Walker is a Unitarian? My daughter and one of my knitting buddies are too! The buddie in particular will be grinning from ear to ear!

  251. My goodness, that is a mighty list of women and their accomplishments, creativity and committment, lives lived and loved, learning and teaching as I have ever read. Bravo you and Tina for your vision and work on The Sock Summit…summit indeed 🙂

  252. I can’t even read this because I am so jealous – I can’t come. Whine! Unless – can you make it virtual? Then I would be glued to the computer with my needles!

  256. Oh, how lucky you all are! I hope you’ll be making a duly documented report for us poor europeans that won’t be able to be there.

  258. Wow.
    How utterly incredible!!!!
    Congratulations – you have pulled it off – you have a FANTASTIC roster of teachers!!!

  259. Okay, I’m really scared now. What is a lowly local sock knitter like me going to do in the presence of these rock stars, when I got all stupid just asking you to sign my book at Powell’s four years ago?

  261. That much sock joy all gathered together in one place has got to affect the magnetic field of the earth, or something. What a treasureful community you have brought together. *discards on-the-needles bag and casts on another pair of socks instead*

  262. I, like many other Portlanders, can hardly believe our luck to have you coming to our beautiful city. Now I just hope I’ll get into some of the classes. Having been locked out of many classes at the Sisters Quilt Show I know the frustration. I have my fingers crossed. Thanks for all your hard work.

  263. Stephanie —
    You might be interested to know that The Bookseller magazine, which attempts every year to award the Diagram Prize, which aims to reveal the oddest book title of the year, has announced their shortlist. The list includes “Strip and Knit with Mark Hordyszynski. I have not seen the book, but a serious review describes the concept of the book, which is making fabric strips, and then knitting them up, and also includes specific projects. And The Bookseller thinks this is an odd book title? It’s clear they know NOTHING about knitting.

  265. Steph, I think my brain’s shock and awe bits just fused permanently.
    The only other time I’ve been this incoherently speechless was when my husband proposed.

  266. bbbbbbbbbbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt. If I had any electrical components I would have just shorted myself out. That is one helluva list baby—– I think it is more like this, “Build it, and they will FLOCK”…………..

  267. All I can think of when I read that list is “Wayne’s World”-style bowing and I am not worthy!

  268. There are times when the east coast is a great cool place to live. This is not one of them! If I could drive there and camp at a friend’s I might be able to finagle it, but flying across the country and needing a hotel? No way. Hope there is much blogging and general hilarity for those of us in the virtual kingdom to enjoy.
    I wonder if when some of those great minds start hanging out with each other amazing new knitting stuff will be generated – sort of like a major music jam session?

  269. I think it is really cool that Star Athena was thinking how neat it was that she was talking to YOU on the phone and you thought it was cool that you were talking to HER on the phone!!!! Hey, we are all knitters here!!!! Thank you!!!!

  270. so, seriously, have you thought about having medical staff at this event? Just in case? I’m sure that some of us with CPR/ACLS certification would be more that happy to volunteer our time in exchange for admission to knitting Utopia!

  271. For years people have been telling me to save money. “Put money aside for the future,” they say. “You never know what might happen.” So now I know what they meant. Sock Summit is happening.
    I am soooooooooo glad I listened to their advice.
    Will there be classes for people who aren’t very good at knitting?
    And again: ***THE Barbara Walker***???

  272. I would so sell my first born, if I had one, to attend this. Flabbergasted at the great teachers. Best of luck with this.

  276. “the author of six funny but mostly useless books about knitting”….um, excuse me, ex-cuse me, (tapping on your computer screen) but those “mostly useless” books are an important commentary on the lives of us regular folk out there…you know, the NOT-Barbara-Walkers-of-this-world. If you can make my husband laugh about yarn stash issues you have my Pulitzer award nomination.
    See you there!

  278. Holy Schmitt.
    I saw that list on the sock summit website and was agape. So many teachers there AT THE SAME TIME. You did a great job, Tina and Stephanie!!
    I do hope that the vendor apps will go out soonest….I am totally ready to make the trek from Albany, NY!!

  279. OMG. I think I said holy $&%*! More times than legally allowed. No wonder there was so much drinking and hyperventilating before each phone call.

  281. I think, of all those knitters, the one I’d be star-struck by is you! I have admired you from afar, and I swear I nearly died when I found out you were in my town and didn’t know. I wish I could come, just to learn about socks. (I’ve only knit two pairs, and I think I’m seriously depriving myself!)

  282. Wow! What a list.
    I saw you at Madrona, my brain said ‘I know her, who is that?’ Then two beats later I realized, duh, it’s the Yarn Harlot (not a long lost friend from jr. high) and worked mightily to keep from staring. I plan to make no attempt to find out what Barbara Walker or Anna Zilboorg look like. I would hate to trip over my gaping jaw in their presence. Best to be in ignorance, but touched in the atmosphere of greatness.

  283. Wow, I would LOVE to go to that! Alas work obligations will not allow. My biggest frustration right now is that I can never make the gusset right – imagine having all that genius available to help. Sigh.
    It’s also amazing what some bravery with phone calls can accomplish! 🙂

  284. I think this calls for my husband to be brought home from overseas. I NEED to go to this!!!! Don’t they understand this! It’s MORE important than world peace and all that crap!!!

  285. Stephanie,
    For those of us who cannot come, perhaps you could put together a book? Could each author contribute some writing, a chapter, some pictures? Maybe it is partly a way to raise some money for MSF? It could be a good thing for everyone…the teachers, the participants who want to remember, the people who couldn’t come or are not born yet, the people receiving medical care?

  286. Congratulations!!!!! (biting lips in sheer envy)
    Will there be video podcasts? Please? Please? Say yes! Please?

  287. Can I get a doctor’s note (maybe someone could be Dr. Knit, or Dr. Sock, or Dr. Fleece?) so I can take sick days from the first two days of school?

  289. I was reading the list to my husband and hyperventilating at the same time, shouting “Oh my God!” every few seconds. So glad I’m not alone in my complete awe. Wish I could be there…

  290. I.am.sick.
    I want to come- I want to see Nancy B. again. (Hi dear, I miss you…) I want to meet the others. I want to talk and laugh with you- I want to live in the northern america and/or earn so much money that I don’t care how much I should pay to join.
    You must pardon me, and all the lucky ones that will be with you on this summit. But I am sick of jealousy.
    Don’t you need a little french translator in your classes?????? Or a librarian to organize all the information? Or maybe a nice swiss woman to keep everybody happy and well-behaved? Or an art-historian to write a book about your art???
    …

  291. Holy Cow! Are there plans to turn the site into a shrine? All the saints and goddesses together- sock knitters everywhere will worshiping for ages to come.

  292. judas priest! once i saw barbara walker i was totally convinced, beyond reason, that elizabeth zimmerman was going to be on there too.
    i’m in. can’t wait.

  293. judas priest! once i saw barbara walker i was totally convinced, beyond reason, that elizabeth zimmerman was going to be on there too.
    i’m in. can’t wait.

  294. Holy Crap is right. What a lineup!
    Madrona was sufficiently intense that I thought I would pass on Sock Summit without too many regrets (besides which, I blew my wad in Tacoma – is that a song?). Now I’m not so sure.
    p.s. I read in a Ravelry group forum that someone would take a class on cleaning toilets if Judith M-McC was teaching it. I agree. Not to mention that Cat Bordhi is a total gas.

  295. Hi Again, You probably won’t notice this, buried as it is in the next day’s post, but I kept thinking about what you said about Judith MCk saying to put fiber into the drum carder sideways…I checked my copy of the Intentional Spinner and it shows the sideways feed for the woolen prep. Doesn’t say how to drumcard for worsted prep. She says combing top is best for that. So I guess I’m drum carding for worsted prep by putting the tips in first? I’ve got some Loooooong cotswold locks. I can’t imagine putting them in sideways. Althou, hmmm, maybe they’d be easier to deal with if they were sideways? hmmm.

  297. OH MY! Lorilee! Great Lady — Super Cool Fabulous Shop! (And is my LYS at only 20 miles each way!)
    Excellent choice, Harlot, excellent choice!

  299. Wait… THAT Barbara Walker of the Knitting from the Top AND the Stitch Treasuries is also THAT Barbara Walker of Women’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets??
    Hold me, I think the room is spinning… what a long list of knitting celebs!

  300. I wanted to go to the Sock Summit before I saw this list…..with the list of instructors….I’ll stay home and save money till August. This is a MUST DO vacation….now I just need a roommate. 😉

  302. When I read that list, my heart started racing just like first date heart racing.
    I don’t that the words to describe that list….it makes my soul happy.

  303. Other teachers & classes I would like to see at the Sock Summit: Molly Weasley- “Knitting for Redheads, Tips and Suggestions” Madame DeFarge- “Using Knitting for Record Keeping” Mrs. Montague- “Knitting for Royalty- Favorite Patterns of HRH Elizabeth the First” What? After what you’ve already done, this should be no problem.

  304. What an amazing list. The only name I thought was missing was Lisa ‘TsockTsarina’ Grossman.

  308. I’m so excited about the summit, and jazzed by the incredible group of teachers you’ll be bringing together! Thanks to both of you for all your work. I’m so glad I live in the area (no travl expenses) and can spend all my money classes. What an amazing opportunity!

  309. I just about fell over the first time I read that list. I’m not sure I can picture myself as a vendor in the same building as all those amazing knitters. I’ll have to keep a paper bag handy in case I hyperventilate.

  311. Stephanie, I do have one burning question.
    Who was brave enough to call Barbara Walker and ask her to teach a sock class in Portland Oregon? I’d have taken an axe to the phone before I called her.

  313. OK, I read the interview that VK did with BGW a couple of years back and it sounded like if she never saw a knitting needle again in her life it would be too soon. How did you snag her????
    You literally have every sock knitter bar EZ that I’ve ever thought it would be neat to meet.

  316. You’ve built the “best of the best” into this.
    And I will come. And I will bring friends.
    All your work is working – a big thank you to you and Tina for going through all this.

  318. Da-a-am! I’m gushing just thinking about all of those people in one space. When is this again? I probably need to start saving vacation time and my pennies right now!

  319. Come HELL or highwater… which is very likely considering the world and the US in this era, I’m going to make it to this watershed event!

  320. Sorry to post again so soon, but I just made arrangements through Priceline for a flight and a room. I know there are blocks of rooms that will be available, but I’m not taking any chances.
    o m g

  321. Barbara Walker?!???? I just about fell out of my chair.
    I have no idea how I am going to pull it off, but I desperately want to be there!

  322. There is absolutely no humanly possible way that I can be there. I’m thinking seriously about breaking my policy of not using seriously bad words in blog comments.
    (takes deep breath, reminds self to behave in civilized manner in Steph’s virtual living room)
    Dang.

  323. Damn, are there any knitters left in the world to actually TAKE the classes? I went down the list and it was like the Energizer Bunny- it just kept going and going and going and going… Looks like heaps of fun!

  324. What a fun list – but then what else would we expect from someone that Greg Kinnear himself described as the Michael Jordan of knitters. (Actually I thought you should be the John Stewart of knitters, tho. Or maybe the Garrison Keillor of knitters. Or Garrison Keillor should be the Yarnharlot of NPR). Have a great time!

  326. Um wow. Drooling, weeping and trying to keep my composure. I just (last night) finish my first pair of socks so I’m not technically a sock knitter. I think I will be just to attend this. Great job in organizing this guys! Awesome, just awesome.

  328. OH MY GOD. Holy crap. The way you talked it up I figured I would be impressed, but that list is just insane. Totally insane. I didn’t know that Anna Zilboorg was actually a real person, I thought that was just the pen name that god uses when she writes knitting books. Wild.

  330. When is the sock summit? I would very much like to attend. That’s a whopping awesome list of sock knitters!!! I’ve never knit socks before but after reading your books guess what? I’m going to knit me some socks!!

  331. What an amazing list of great knitters and to think they will all be in one place at the same time. Thanks so much for all your hard work Stephanie and Tina.

  332. Hi Stephanie,
    In case you get to read this… It would be awfully hard for me to attend the Sock Summit, being in Argentina and all, but if you could pass this message on to Barbara Walker… If she ever has her treasuries books published with charts, I’ll buy them… even if I have to pay for several big books brought over all the way to the southern end of the world!
    And Stephanie, I agree with someone up there who said you are a force of nature!
    Andrea

  333. Curse my uncle, who has planned his wedding in the middle of this. The one thing I really can’t back out of without being written out of the will!
    I am filled with envy!

  334. Neil Young. You left out Neil Young. How could you leave out Neil Young?
    And, speaking of which?
    This isn’t a sock summit.
    This is Woodsock.

  337. Like all of the others…WOW! My eyes are as big as saucers reading all of the wonderful names. Congratulations Stephanie and Tina! Awesome!

  339. I am a newbe to socks but love them. When is this to take place and where? Oh, looks like heaven has opened the gates and we are all going to be there!
    Janice

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