Meet & greet

I feel like I've been shot out of a cannon, with the last couple of weeks flying by in a whirl of back-to-school activities and (sadly) not much knitting.  I did have the chance to finally meet Julie Turjoman, the author of Brave New Knits, in person; she held a book signing and trunk show at Windsor Button, in Boston, the Saturday before last.  I also was lucky enough to meet Ann Weaver and the one and only Grumperina, two of the other Boston-area designers featured in Julie's book. 

Just before Julie had to pack away all of the projects from the book, I tried on a few-- what fun!  The Koukla cardigan by Hilary Smith Callis and the Origami Shrug by Melissa Wehrle are pictured; I hadn't realized that the cardigan has those great pockets, nor had I realized how cleverly the shrug is constructed (it's knit in one big round, and then partially seamed to shape it and create the armholes). 

I also tried on Norah Gaughan's Sprouting Cloche, which is really adorable (even more so than it appears in the book), and looked great on Julie, Ann, Kathy/Grumperina, and several shopper/knitters who stopped by-- it flattered everyone who wore it.  I also tried on Ann's Johnny Rotten Jacket, which is beautifully shaped-- I wish I could say I rocked it, but I wouldn't go that far!  Ann, on the other hand, wore it like she meant it-- very cool.  Kathy/Grumperina showed us how the lace patterns used in her Lubov Scarf are more solid at the center (providing more warmth where it is wrapped around the neck) and become more open toward the ends, making an expensive yarn go a long way-- carefully thought out, like all of her designs.

Before I left Windsor Button, I also got to meet the owner, Susan, and of course had to check out their extensive stock of yarn (not just buttons any more!).  No, I did not escape without adding to the stash....