Stitches is coming up later this week, and we're starting to get just a little nervous and excited. We have rented a truck:

We have long-ago made hotel reservations, and we have finished gathering up what we're going to take. We have bought a cheap (probably disposable) carpet in a beautiful color of teal for the booth to cover the convention center's cement floors. And the babysitters for the shop have been long-ago scheduled. Be sure that you go in to keep them company!

Our Saturday helper, Kirsten, had volunteered to make the Kimono shrug that we're going to put in the Friday night fashion show. She finished it Monday. We are still doing the final sewing, but it will be done by this Friday with ease. After Kirsten started making it, we started getting a little worried that the shrug would embarrass us in the fashion show; after all, we had never actually seen it when we mailed off the entry form. We had designed it by using a plastic garbage bag, and although the drape of a plastic garbage bag is amazingly similar to the drape of yarn, it's still not quite the same.

The shrug had only been a vision in our minds and Kirsten's needles, and there was no time to change it at this point. We remained comforted by the idea that on a 6-foot fashion-show model, even the plastic garbage bag would look good. Surely the same thing made from yarn would have to look better. These were our thoughts.

But in the end all was well. The Kimono is gorgeous. Whew. Pictures later.

Most of our yarn is still in the shop. Our customers will notice only a few things missing other than us. We're planning to leave supplies of almost all the yarns there but lower--so there will be plenty of yarn to make things for the next 4 days. (Psssst.... we left all the baby Alpaca at home just for you. Go and get it.)

Our packing list is ready. We can't possibly describe or picture everything, but here are a few highlights.

First on it is Laurel Burch bags...

These are fun! They come in quite a few designs, and they make great knitting bags. Her designs are whimsical, bright, and delightful. We also have some of her socks. Sometimes it's nice just to be able to find a quick gift for someone.

We also have a new yarn from Mountain Colors called "Twizzle":

It's a dk weight merino. Good luck figuring out which color is best.

Then there is the Daria Multi for making this cool purse:

And a wool wash in the most beautiful little jar.

MagKnit necklace clasps.

Oh. And yarn. We are bringing yarn. Of course we are bringing the the Kimono kits. How about some Cherry Tree Hill Oceania... Manos Del Uruaguay (Cynthia just finished felting a hat out of it with some Wool in the Woods boucle, and is hoping it will be dry by Stitches)...

We have many hanks of Mountain Colors Bearfoot sock yarn.

Kits for a cute little capelet made from Jo Sharp yarn...

Kits for a Berroco Quest and Lavish sweater...

Kits for a poncho made from Mango Moon recycled silk...

Broadway yarn, a mohair with a sparkled bead that runs through it...

Fusion yarn (wait till you see the sweater you can make from it).... A few Harrisville needlefelting wizard kits for you wizard fans...

Going to the show? Want to know where we are? Look for booth number 610 and several large pictures of Pirates:

Avast! At our booth ye will find plenty of treasures, matie!