YarnCamp 2015

Am Wochenende war YarnCamp in Frankfurt. Und das war so fröhlich und interessant, dass ich die 30 Tage Challenge einfach mal unterbrochen habe … Seht es mir nach.

Statt dessen habe ich den Hinweg herrlich mit Marisa (Maschenfein) strickend in der Bahn verbracht, habe Birgitta kennengelernt (danke für die Karten) und Katie (ich freue mich auf das Muster!). Habe mit Jutta (Häkeltrophäen) überlegt wie Adlerfedern aus Wolle aussehen könnten, mich zu wenig mit Rebekka (Queen’s Handmade) unterhalten und leider gar nicht mit Kiki (La Wollbindung). Ich habe allergroßartigstes veganes Essen gegessen (ohne Veganerin zu sein, aber Karottenkuchen und gefüllte Paprika waren richtig, richtig gut), von Dörthe, einer Diplom Informatikerin gelernt, dass es noch mehr Menschen (außer mir) gibt, die Mathe und Stricken nicht trennen (wollen) und habe die Hälfte aller Sessions verpasst wegen Schwatzen im Flur … Mit Steffi (Schachenmayr) zum Beispiel, nachdem wir uns bisher nur über Mails kannten, mit Henri (loveknitting), der zwar immer noch nicht strickt, aber kurz davor ist es zu lernen (hint! hint!), mit Saskia und Judith (Frech Verlag), die so Recht haben mit “Mach was” und mit Pia (Akizu), die ihren Blog nach diesem wunderbaren Wochenende bestimmt wieder mit mehr (Strick-)Leben füllen wird. (Und wenn Du wieder weißt wie der Patent-Rand geht – ich wüßte es auch gerne!).

© Marisa / Maschenfein
© Marisa / Maschenfein

Jasmin (Mienchen) wiederzusehen war ein Fest und dass sie “meine” Tasche dabei hatte war unglaublich. Wie es sich anfühlt diese Tasche, deren Muster ich mir ausgedacht habe, so unverhofft zu treffen und das nicht nur bei Jasmin, sondern noch zwei mal mehr, wenn auch in Varianten, das kann ich Euch gar nicht beschreiben. Toll! Toll! Toll!

Sponsoren haben uns so verwöhnt, dass ich dazu einen extra Blogpost schreiben werde und den Organisator/innen, Rebekka, Romy und Lutz, gebührt einfach mal SUPER DANK! So umsichtig und so nonstop im Einsatz – Ihr wart umwerfend!

Aller guten Dinge sind drei sagt man doch – damit sollte nächstes Jahr für mich gebongt sein (zweimal war ich schließlich schon dabei). Ich freue mich drauf!

The YarnCamp 2013

Last weekend I almost ended up not participating in the YarnCamp 2013. Work had been lunatic. I was tired, stressed, and in no travelling mood (to say the least). But isn’t it true that the less you feel about doing something the better it usually turns out to be? Already the 5-hour-train ride to Frankfurt was fabulous. I sat next to the window and spent my time day dreaming or knitting or both. So when getting into Frankfurt I was perfectly relaxed and ready for the adventure awaiting me.

And – against all odds – the YarnCamp was wonderful!

Do you ever knit or crochet in public?To be honest: I don’t. Somehow it seems to embarrass me. Now try to imagine how I felt to be in a room with about 80 people – female (90%) and male (10%) – with almost everyone click-clacking away with their knitting needles (I love that sound :)) or crocheting along, while listening, discussing, or chatting with one another. Some would change rooms while knitting, others would display their beautiful work carried along in suitcases. Trust me, it took me a while to become an active part of the greater whole – but I finally managed to work on a pair of wrist warmers while there.

Do you have a smartphone? Well, I don’t (I am a dinosaur – I know …) and I guess that made me the only one among all YarnCamp participants. The use of smartphones was almost as excessive as everyone’s handling with yarn. They would twitter and take pictures, check ravelry or network with one another, comment on facebook or read each other’s blog posts. Those who weren’t knitting were online and vice versa.

Right from the start, we were encouraged to present a session or otherwise contribute to the event. And when in no time 18 sessions were defined and written down to structure the day, I was deeply impressed by the responsibility and passion of participants turned into lecturers. After all, most of us had never taken part in a BarCamp before and were (more or less) used to passive ex-cathedra teaching rather than active discussions.

In the course of the day, I would learn about Kaffe Fassett’s knitting (blog post to come), and about how to become an author (eventually). I would finally understand how to use twitter and got the chance to participate in a lively debate on how to write the perfect pattern.

In between sessions we would not only admire each other’s work but exchange patterns and pieces of advice. I very much enjoyed getting to know Mienchen, Claudia, and Pia (watch out for her homepage Akizu that is soon to be out :)), just to mention a few. Seeing Frau Elise in person after reading her blog for quite a while was a pleasant surprise and participating in David‘s session made me want to write a blog post about him and his work (see above). The ladies at dye for yarn do an incredible job not only in dying yarn but turning it into the most beautiful lace shawls and the ocean colored patchwork blanket I saw will hopefully inspire me to actually work with my stash.

Generous sponsors, showering us with yarn, knitting needles, magazines, and even books spoiled us endlessly. A splendid buffet, excellent coffee, and delicious smoothies added to our comfort. Like I mentioned before: the YarnCamp was AMAZING and beyond all (my) expectations.

Last but not least, the yarn camp organizers, Rebekka, Sara, Romy and Lutz, did a tremendous job in taking care of everything, from concept to event, before, during, and after the YarnCamp. Thanks a MILLION! I sure hope to see you again in 2014!

not mine - I took the train
not mine – I took the train
dye for yarn
dye for yarn
ocean colored patchwork blanket
ocean colored patchwork blanket
Mienchen's bag
Mienchen’s bag
dye for yarn
dye for yarn
the wrist warmers I made while there, blue & silver (doesn't show)
the wrist warmers I made while there, blue & silver (doesn’t show)