I know this is a bit late, but I need to thank some people.
Thank you Schmoopie for staying up with me until 6am (yes, that's right, 6am), witnessing several printer meltdowns, helping me keep my calm (failing somewhat, but through no fault of his), and labeling more yarn than any person not interested at all in yarn should ever have to do.
Thank you Hannah for pulling through at the last minute and printing patterns for me, for parading around in a tunic without pants and the Rhiannon socks despite random leers from security guards, and for "hooching it up".
Thank you Margit for remaining particularly calm and helpful, for stuffing and then unstuffing more bags than I thought humanly possible, for generally being an all around good person with good fiber, and for bringing Randall in wearing a Fiber Fiend t-shirt - heehee!
Thank you Kristi for enduring more than one person should, for starving for the knit cause, for calling in the knit brigade when we really needed them, and for knitting that sock.
Thank you knit brigade (that's what I'm calling Tina, Jill and Linda) for knitting, setting up the network (go sys admin Linda!), giving us a place to party and unwind (also known as letting me pass out on your floor), being generally enthusiastic about the entire adventure, and manning the booth so I could wander around aimlessly for an hour or so. Thanks to Tina for handling people I didn't have the energy to handle, for asking people to move crap out of the way, for talking to the fashion show people and trying (though failing) to get them to display The Leg. Oh yes, and for bringing water and cookies at just the right time.
Thank you Pauline for knitting Millicent (my favorite), for taking pictures of the booth against the rules, for stuffing patterns, and for being even shorter than Hannah who is even shorter than me.
Speaking of Millicent, behold my favorite of the 8 patterns. There were supposed to be 9, but printer melt down got in the way of that
Thank you Kaci and the Purlescence folks for being the best booth neighbors one could hope for and stopping by and saying hi and checking up on us. And Kaci for helping me stuff patterns at the very last minute. And most of all, for understanding my pain.
Thank you CJ and Christina for stuffing patterns with me in the lunch area and ignoring the fact that I was completely gone at that point in the weekend and probably made no sense at all whatsoever.
Thank you online sample knitters (Alice, Aija, Isela, Kirsten, Jamie, and Jeni) for knitting knitting knitting knitting. Your packages are going out soon. Except for Aija who I still want to meet in real life one of these days. I'm not sure I believe you exist.
Thank you to everyone else who helped or who stood out of my way when I was in a fury of moving and organizing things (sometimes it's much more helpful to move aside than trying to insert yourself in the middle), to everyone who wished us well, to everyone who put up with my abruptness, and to just about every darn sock knitter out there whether or not you've ever knit Pomatomus or Monkey just because you keep the sock interest alive.
And last, but certainly not least, thank you to everyone who bought something from us, who held their tongue when we were incompetent with the register, who waited patiently in line when paper got caught in the printer because I couldn't (and still can't) find the d*mn paper tray, and all those who offered words of encouragement.
Oh yes, and thank you parents for birthing me. (My mom would be deeply saddened if she wasn't included in a thank you speech.)
Am I really the first to comment/compliment? Cookie, your socks are amazing! I would have loved to have been to Stitches to see everything in real life, and to meet you. So, need I ask, or did your booth do really, really well? I would be seriously surprised if you did not! You are an amazing designer. Keep up the great work and let us poor people who never get to Stitches in on when you will make your kits available to purchase. I'll be first then, too.
Now, go to bed!!!
Gah! That sock! It's spectacular!
(also, Congrats on a successful Stitches 07.)
And thank you for creating the most awesome sock patterns ever! I'm glad I got to stop by your booth at Stitches (even though I was too much of a weenie to fess up to being a fan of your blog).
Posted by: Cyndi at February 27, 2007 11:01 PMCookie, you really are phenomenal. Your take on wrapping the foot is just so different and organic. Just love, love, love your socks.
BTW, your mother would be proud of your acceptance speech. Worthy of the Oscars!
Posted by: Angeluna at February 27, 2007 11:43 PMCongratulations on making it through Stitches West in one piece! You went, you saw, you conquered!!
Now go have a nice glass (bottle) of wine, relax andknit something for pure pleasure.
Posted by: Alison at February 27, 2007 11:47 PMI NEED those socks they are so beautiful. Well done you for your achievement.
Posted by: jiva at February 28, 2007 12:57 AMCongrats! Looks like you rocked out at Stitches West with your beautiful sock patterns.
Still looking forward to when you release the patterns to the masses.
Posted by: Vera at February 28, 2007 1:58 AMI am new to your blog but just had to say that you have: Super, super fabulous socks. And since I couldn't get to Stitches (as I am in Ohio), where or where do we get your sock patterns?
Posted by: Mary Lynn in Cleveland at February 28, 2007 3:16 AMI'm glad you survived Stitches! Now you need to sit back with your feet up and beverage of choice in hand. :) I'm sure everyone was enchanted and blown away by the gorgeous socks. Millicent is lovely. I love the detailing on the foot.
Posted by: Tasha at February 28, 2007 3:16 AMOoh. I usually don't get too excited about socks (I still haven't knit my first one), but I love how the foot is designed there, like a slipper.
Posted by: Elena99 at February 28, 2007 3:26 AMOh my. *Gasp*. It's stunning. Please tell me that you have copies that I can somehow buy. I really would have come to stitches just for the sock patterns, but the $3000 flight was a bit of an impediment.
Posted by: BrownPants at February 28, 2007 3:36 AMOh yes please when/where/how can we buy the patterns, pretty please! :)
I love Millicent!
Posted by: gilraen at February 28, 2007 4:30 AMOoohhhhh! Insert slack jawed-ness and glassy eyes here. I..Love..This..Sock! (And incidentally I'm sporting my very own pair of Baud's on my feed as I type this.
Posted by: Cambria W at February 28, 2007 4:45 AMDayum! The image I have of Hannah in a tunic is almost too much to bear!!!
I'm so glad it's over for you and that it went well. YAY COOKIE! (And everyone else!) You've got a great product girl - keep on keeping on!
Posted by: Cara at February 28, 2007 5:42 AMPlease tell me I'll be able to buy those patterns somewhere....
Posted by: Nicole at February 28, 2007 5:47 AMcongrats! from all I read across the blogsphere, your booth and patterns were a resounding success!
Posted by: stacey at February 28, 2007 6:02 AMPlease add me to your list of desperate sock knitters who need your patterns like an addict needs a fix:) Where can I find them? What an undertaking - I should probably have said FIRST congratulations. take a breath. get some rest. But I am far too selfish, I need patterns...
Posted by: Stacey at February 28, 2007 6:14 AMAww, yay! I'm glad it went well (other than being completely and totally exhausting) and I hope you've slept for the last 36 hours straight.
Now....do ya think maybe possibly you'll be selling the patterns, maybe? I won't make you work at all - I'll send money, and a prepaid return envelope....hell, I'll give you a printer cartridge and the paper!! Will it help if I pay in cash that's already in a wallet? You can just drop it in your bag and go...c'mon, it'll be great!!
Posted by: Alyson at February 28, 2007 6:15 AMCookie, you definitely won the Oscar for "absolutely stunning sock designs". I would wear a mini-skirt too, to show off such beautiful socks. I am now in the queue to buy up your sock patterns when they become available. Best regards!
Posted by: Thanh at February 28, 2007 6:18 AMI'm glad I could help, I just wish I could've stuck around longer! Great job on the whole thing and I can't wait to knit up some socks!
Posted by: Christina at February 28, 2007 6:24 AMSo glad it went well for you. I didn't know who to be more jealous, you for being across from Blue Moon or them from being across from you. As soon as you have caught up on your sleep I want to buy kits :) if any are left.
Posted by: Tan at February 28, 2007 6:53 AMCongratulations on surviving Stitches! Now when can we buy those patterns online!?!?!?
Posted by: Wendy at February 28, 2007 7:00 AMooooh! that sock is GORGEOUS! i really must get my hands on that pattern!
Posted by: gleek at February 28, 2007 7:23 AMCookie,
Where do we get the patterns??? They are great! And an Inspiration. I have always wanted to create a pattern. These are amazing!
Congratulations on a successful Stitches presence! The booth pics were great. And Me want your patterns!! You don't even have to print them. I'll take downloads!
Gorgeous sock! Count me in as someone who would be interested in buying your sock patterns if you decide to sell them.
Posted by: Emily at February 28, 2007 7:31 AMOh my! Those are the most beautiful socks I have ever seen. Please, please, please tell us where to buy the pattern!
Posted by: Tammy at February 28, 2007 7:34 AMWOOOO!!!!! WOOOOO!
I wish I would have been on the left coast, too see your booth with my own two eyeballs!
Awesomeness!!
Congratulations on a successful Stitches experience despite printer meltdowns!
Posted by: Rachel at February 28, 2007 8:30 AMHi Cookie,
I found your website through Nona's link. Your Millicent socks are very, very pretty, especially the decreases along the back of the leg! How can I purchase the pattern?
Thanks much, chez
Posted by: chez at February 28, 2007 8:39 AMCongratulations on the Co-op booth's success, and I hope you all continue the hard work!
Posted by: CJ at February 28, 2007 8:40 AMCongrats, now you can sleep! (Until you let us all know how we can buy the sock patterns from you, and then you'll be deluged with business again...)
Posted by: loribird at February 28, 2007 9:09 AMIt was WORTH the wait in line - thank you for sharing your creativity with all of us! Sock on...
Posted by: Leann Nassar at February 28, 2007 9:16 AMAfter standing in line forever to get in the Market Preview, your booth was the first booth we went to and I'm sooo glad because your gorgeous yarn was flying out the door!
Posted by: cpurl17 at February 28, 2007 9:22 AMwish i could have been there. i would have bought every single kit. this millicent is magnificent. i don't know how you do it!
Posted by: domesticat at February 28, 2007 9:32 AMp.s. They should have let you use the leg in the fashion show.
Posted by: cpurl17 at February 28, 2007 9:37 AMI am amazed. You have such an amazing talent for sock design, and in my book, you are right up there with Nancy Bush. Congrats on what sounds like a job well done.
Posted by: Caitlin at February 28, 2007 9:50 AMNo, thank you for sharing all your talent w/us! It couldn't have been easy being at Stitches West that whole time. As a buyer, I was wiped out in only 3 hrs of wandering around the Market.
I'm grateful I managed to buy at least some of your patterns and hand-dyed yarn there and hope to see all of them online so I can buy the one I missed. (I couldn't handle staying another 4 hrs for your re-supply.)
Posted by: C. at February 28, 2007 9:53 AMHey, first time commenting :-) It was great to meet you two. I'm looking forward to knitting my flower socks! I'm the one with the toddler who browses blogs while the toddler sleeps on lap ;-)
Posted by: Ariel at February 28, 2007 10:05 AMCongratulations! Thank you for the beautiful patterns and lovely pattern pictures.
Posted by: freecia at February 28, 2007 10:08 AMCongrats on a successful Stitches! It was nice meeting you and the legs in person!
Posted by: Sarah at February 28, 2007 10:15 AMCongrats on your sucsess at Stitches! Please make your patterns available to us poors sops on the East coast - puleasse!! I must have Millicent the shaping on the foot is outstanding!!! All your socks are really amazing! If you ever neeed more sample knitters I'm so there! Keep up the awesome work.
Posted by: Jody at February 28, 2007 10:33 AMCongrats on surviving Stitches! Perhaps a little worse for the wear, but a survivor nonetheless. Hopefully your near term schedule will allow for some much deserved R&R.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: your designs are exactly the type that appeal to me most -- unique and challenging, yet not so far "out there" that real people can't wear them. I don't think I've seen a single one that I am not eager to try. Bravo!!
Posted by: Denise in Kent, WA at February 28, 2007 12:19 PMI'm sad I couldn't have been there! Your socks are amazing.
That must have been an experience. The question is, would you do it again?
Posted by: shadkitty at February 28, 2007 12:57 PMSo I had my heart set on getting up to Stitches just for Cookie's patterns...plane ticket booked and hubby already agreed to watch the little ones. (Southwest was $59 - cheap! I would have been travelling from Orange County to Oakland.) Arrgh! On Sunday morning, to my ill fate, both kids (2 year old and 4 month old) are vomiting. Needless to say, I was a good mama and stayed home with them. When will your patterns be up for sale? What stunning socks!
Posted by: sitsipknit at February 28, 2007 1:27 PMI saw your booth there. :) I wish I'd been able to stop and see what was going on, but the people I was with aren't all that hip to weblogs and were interested in continuing on... so I saw the models and moved on. I wish I'd been able to stay longer! Your patterns are so cool... not that I've tried 'em yet, I figure I'll try Monkey with the sock yarn I got at Stitches. ;)
So? When's the book coming? ;) I need to make sure your designs are mass-produced so that I can take my time in buying them and there will still be stock...
Posted by: Stephanie at February 28, 2007 1:58 PMCongratulations to you and the entire team for a successful show! You did a fantastic job overcoming the obstacles and your designs are quite impressive. It was great to see the BA Co-op booth swamped every time I went down that aisle. Great job!!
Posted by: Janice at February 28, 2007 2:00 PMBrava, Cookie!
Please, please, please tell me you will have Twisted Flowers kits for sale! I'm not even a sock knitter, in fact, the only sock patterns I've EVER liked have been yours...But I absolutely must make those socks. You have no idea! I am obsessed, I can't live without these socks.
Posted by: Jenn at February 28, 2007 2:01 PMOf course Millicent is your favorite--she's spectacular. I love how both she and Thelonious wrap the leg and foot.
Posted by: Valerie at February 28, 2007 2:16 PMCookie, you have brought me out of lurkerdom! You design the most spectacular socks I have ever seen. Like everyone else, I really hope that you make the patterns available to those of us elsewhere in the country. And, if the book comes to fruition, I will be right there buying a copy!
Thank you for being truly inspirational.
All right, I am the one millionth person to say it, but please oh please let those of us who didn't make it to Stitches have a chance to buy those patterns! They are all amazing. Feel free to catch up on your sleep first though :)
Posted by: Ashley at February 28, 2007 4:13 PMIf they'd had a prize for it, your booth would have won best-in-show!
Posted by: Madeleine at February 28, 2007 4:40 PMGotta join the multitude and beg, plead, and oh so respectfully ask, for the opportunity to purchase these jaw dropping patterns.
Posted by: Tracy at February 28, 2007 4:45 PMdude, i doubt i exist most days too :)
have you considered using ejunkie for downloads of patterns? theresa from the keyboard biologist uses it and linked to it a while back... you could distribute up to 10 patterns a month for $5 (no bandwidth or transaction fees.) not related, but sounds pretty sweet (read: hands off)... http://www.e-junkie.com
Posted by: aija at February 28, 2007 7:23 PM1) congrats on surviving stitches! if that's your first retail experience, you seriously drank from the firehose!
2) I too, would love to get my hands on a couple of your patterns. When I stopped by your booth, you were out of the two I wanted... Much to my dismay, I was unable to come back to stitches the next day!
Posted by: jessie at February 28, 2007 7:26 PMI am yet another one of the masses who is pleading for the oppertunity to purchase some of these patterns. You are so talented and gifted. I LOVE your patterns. I have a need to knit your patterns, they're just so beautiful.
Posted by: Jackie at February 28, 2007 8:14 PMwow - I love the shaping on the Millicent sock.
Sounds like the show was great success - enormous amounts of stress notwithstanding. What a shame that the Pacific Ocean is so big or I could have been tempted to pop over.
My copy of the Titania's Revenge pattern arrived from Blue Moon yesterday so I'm looking forward to trying that out.
Please do consider putting out a sock book - no rush! no pressure!
It was so great to finally see you in person at Stitches West but I was too late to get the Twisted Flower pattern ...I left my email, do you think I could maybe still buy it (and Millicent which I missed seeing then)? Please???? All the socks are sooo gorgeous, I just love them!
Ruth
Posted by: Strega
at February 28, 2007 10:06 PM
Millicent is breath-taking. The lines on the foot are so flattering. I have yarn. Now I need patterns!!! Thank for showing your designs.
Posted by: Angie at March 1, 2007 6:25 AMStunning. Simply Stunning.
Know that I am holding my breath until you release these patterns. My finger stands poised over the paypal button ready to purchase. But please hurry, I'm getting a little light-headed from the lack of air . . .
Congratulations to all involved, for what sounds like a wildly successful Stitches experience.
Now the big question: what sock patterns are available, because I want one of each. Seriously!
Posted by: Deb at March 1, 2007 7:00 AMd00d! That is the hands-down awesomest, most fanfrickintabulous sock ever knit. Ever.
Posted by: Jen Dickinson at March 1, 2007 10:08 AMYou're most welcome! I think... maybe... we should do it again...
Posted by: Margit at March 1, 2007 10:43 AMYet another plea...Millicent is my absolute favorite but I would LOVE to purchase a bunch of those patterns!
Posted by: Anna at March 1, 2007 11:41 AMI'm a girl in Michigan with chilly feet who couldn't make it to Stitches West--I would love to buy at the very least, the pattern for Millicent. Looking forward to hearing how that's possible.
Posted by: Knitting Bandit at March 1, 2007 1:40 PMomg!! COOKIE! i HEART you so much. i'm first on your list? i so dont deserve that. i would have helped no MATTER what! printing madness is my specialty :0) .. i am at your beckon call !!
much love ~ kinderwhore at your service!!
Posted by: hannah marie at March 1, 2007 2:36 PMCookie, I am completely blown away by your talent and generosity (FREE and BEAUTI-FULL sock patterns via Knitty). I hope to see a sock pattern book in the future!?! LOVING WHAT YOU MAKE.
Cheers!
Add me to the throngs hoping to be able to buy the sock collection soon. I made it to Stitches but every time I had a chance to get near your booth there was no way I was gonna be able to actually get in. I'm very glad it was a success but I will be bummed if I've missed my only shot at getting your pattern collection. Those are some amazing and gorgeous sock patterns, and I wants 'em. Every single one.
Posted by: Ronni at March 1, 2007 6:51 PMCongratulations on such a succesful venture at stitches! Sound slike it was a big hit and very exciting to boot!
I bet you can guess by now that we want to be able to get those patterns too! If you don't post them for sale hoepfully they show up in a Cookie sock book!
Posted by: Shannon at March 2, 2007 10:10 AMCookie,
I am sorry to sound like a broken record, but PLEASE tell us how we can get our hands on these new sock patterns, and THANK YOU for sharing what you have already via Knitty!
You're an AWESOME talent!!!!!!
Posted by: Knitting Addict at March 2, 2007 2:47 PMDearest Cookie,
I am sorry to sound like a broken record, but PLEASE tell us how we can get our hands on these new sock patterns, and THANK YOU for sharing what you have already via Knitty!
You're an AWESOME talent!!!!!!
Posted by: Knitting Addict at March 2, 2007 2:48 PMCookie you ROCK! Your peeps/posse Rocks!
Your patterns are breathtaking, magnificent.
(Your work inspired me to start designing too, in my own small way.)
You must also be a pretty amazing person to have inspired the sort of loyalty and support you are getting from your friends.
Congratulations! May your success continue to grow exponentially, pausing only for R&R and oxygen when you need it.
And for the love of *&^%$#! - PLEASE make these GORGEOUS patterns available to the rest of us who were either unable to get to Stitches or unable to get close enough to your booth.
Posted by: MezzoDiva at March 3, 2007 10:24 AMyes, thank you Cookie, and thanks to all your minions that helped get it all rolling at Stitches, it was awesome to see socks in person, and have access to more of your patterns. I'm currently struggling with my first Pomotamus (on 2 circs)...yeah, I know, I'm behind the curve. And stumped.
Posted by: claire at March 3, 2007 2:25 PMI DEMAND you make these gorgeous sock patterns available for the rest of us! It has been a long time since I've seen such incredible design work!
Posted by: Nanette at March 6, 2007 11:06 AMWhere can I get the pattern for Millicent? She is a beauty!
Posted by: Bea Apple at March 6, 2007 12:23 PMYou and Kristi were awesome at your booth at Stitches! At the risk of seeming like a stalker, I loved coming by all 4 plus times, but who's counting anyway? Looking forward to more great stuff from you guys!
Posted by: mary at March 6, 2007 9:43 PMCookie, I REALLY hope you will put together a sock book!!!! I will buy it in an instant if you do!
In the meantime, if there are kits to be had of those groovy socks, especially those magnificent Millicent socks, then I want one. I hope after you've had a chance to rest and recuperate, you will make some patterns/kits available.
Last August when Kristi wrote up her lovely Sarcelle shawl pattern, I jumped on it (well, purchased it) and hope to find some suitable yarn to make it this summer.
I would SO like to make those socks, too!!!!
Posted by: kathy at March 7, 2007 12:20 AMBeautiful stuff. I'm going to add my voice to the adoring masses and say "Please, please publish your patterns so I can snatch them up!"
Posted by: Kara at March 7, 2007 8:44 AMWow! I adore those sock patterns! I'm so, so impressed. Please, please publish them in some form! They're calling my name!
Posted by: Melissa at March 7, 2007 11:04 PMCookie,
Write a sock book please. I promise to stock it in my store. Or let a few of us store owners buy your patterns for resale. I adore all of your designs. Particularly Millicent and Twisted Flowers. I am just starting to tackle your Pomatomus socks.
Pat