YarnCon is almost here!

Things are getting exciting over here as we get the final pieces in place for YarnCon 2008 on Saturday, Oct. 4th!

We have great vendors, classes and more in store for you this year. We're so thrilled that we commissioned a commemorative poster, designed by Chicago artist (and my brother), Alex Uribe. Want a peek?

These hand-printed posters are signed and numbered (there are only 30, and #1 is being raffled, so you'll want to buy yours early) by the artist. Isn't it lovely? We'll have them for sale at the front along with the YarnCon shirts and pins.

We can't wait to see you on Saturday!

Support for a fellow yarn lover

Our friend and fellow knitter, Kristy, is raising money for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. She and her husband are participating in AIDS Run / Walk Chicago 2008, and she is giving you a major incentive to donate: a knitters raffle! Check out details on donating and all the great prizes you can win at kristyland.

Check out our great vendors!

We've posted the vendor list for 2008! Hooray! There are still more updates to the list to come, so please keep an eye on it. It keeps getting better!

Less than a month to go!

the YarnCon Family's newest member

Things have been pretty slow around this blog in the past month or so, and sometimes that's just how it goes. Sometimes other life events take precedence over even something as fun and exciting as our beloved YarnCon...

...like Natalia having her baby! He's here, and he's a doll. Details and a super cute pic are available here:
http://www.evil-eye-emporium.com/wordpress/

In the meantime, YarnCon plans are still humming along. The big day is less than two months away at this point, and we need you! (Yes, you!) If you're interested in volunteering (i.e., indulging your yarn fetish for a day in exchange for a small amount of work), please email us at info@yarnygoodness.com.

We're a thing to do!

YarnCon is mentioned as a "Thing to do and apply for" over at Handmade Nation. We, of course, could not agree more. Although the application deadline has passed, we do have a waiting list, so if you were thinking about, you can still get an application in for a vendor spot. We are also looking for people who would like to share their fibery knowledge, so if you would like to teach a class, please contact us.

We're really excited about how this year's YarnCon is shaping up. Not only will there be the fabulous vendors, but we also have some exhibitions in the works, a Stitching Lounge where you can hang out with like minded yarn-lovers, and even more good stuff to come!

WWKIP Day

We had a fantastic turnout at WWKIP Day in Millennium Park on Saturday. At least 93 people were in attendance throughout the day! The weather was picture perfect, and security was baffled. We actually did overwhelm security a bit, but the end result is that we will work with the park to have an even better spot in Millennium Park next year, in the lawn, with actual shade! We want to thank Kate, Lis, Katie and Captain for helping us put this year's event together. They came to us with new ideas which really made this year better than ever, and were there to help throughout the day. Also, thanks to Kate's boyfriend for making the sign:



Photo taken by Sara.

And thanks to everyone who came out to knit, crochet and spin in public. We had a wonderful time, and we are already looking forward to next year.

It was a day of great successes, including the yarn swap run by Katie, and a collection of yarn, books and tools for Interim House run by Lis. So successful that we need your help to ship this generous donation over to them. If you could please give a few dollars to help us ship everything over, we would be eternally grateful. Any money collected that goes over the shipping total will be sent to Interim House as well.

You can contribute to shipping by clicking on the paypal donation button below:

Check out how much was collected over the course of the afternoon:



And more was added after the picture was taken! As you can see, we really can use your help to pay for shipping, that is a whole lot of yarn! Thanks to everyone who contributed.

You can see the rest of the pictures at the Flickr WWKIP Day Chicago 2008 Pool.

YarnCon can't stop planning events

How much do we love playing with yarn? So much that we are back again, this time bringing you World Wide Knit in Public Day in Chicago. WWKIP Day has been celebrated in Chicago's Millennium Park for 4 years now, and we took over organizing the event last year. This year we have additional help from some fine ladies we met on Ravelry.

Join us for a fun filled day of knitting and crocheting and spinning in public on June 14th (this Saturday) from Noon to at least 4pm in the pavilion behind the "faces" fountains in Millennium Park. We suggest you bring something to sit on, sunscreen, and plenty to drink. Of course, given our location, there are lots of great places to get something to eat and drink, so the choice is yours.

The first 100 people to stop by our welcome table will receive a Yarn Crawl in a bag! There will also be a yarn swap, and collection for Interim House, so bring that yarn you know you're not going to use, and trade it or give it to folks who can really use it. There will also be a group sewing up Afghans for Afghans rectangles (7" x 9"), so if you have those, or are looking for easy knitting while you chat with your friends, bring those rectangles along.

We'll also be accepting applications for YarnCon, so if you have been thinking of applying, but haven't gotten around to it, stop by and see us at the welcome table! We'll even have the forms printed and waiting for you, so no more excuses!