Hello Fiber Friends!

In just over a week knitters and crocheters from all over the country will be converging on STITCHES East 2012 held at the Marriott Hartford Downtown & the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT (Oct. 11-14, 2012). We’re hope you’re as excited as we are!

As usual, the STITCHES East 2012 Show Book is now online – and we have a few different download options for you. You can download the 80 page 33 Mb Show Book in zipped PDF format (complete with bookmarks & hyper-links) or you can view the Show Book as separate JPEG files on our Knitting Universe Facebook page, Knitting Universe Google+ page, or as a set on Flickr. Note: If you’re on an i-device of some kind please use this PDF download link so that you can open the Show Book in Apple’s iBooks.

And, of course, we’ll have plenty of free printed Show Books at the Market entrance next week…but why wait!?

Within the pages of the Show Book, you’ll find not only a guide to vendors with the most amazing assortment of yarn, needles, buttons and notions (including a three page section just for crocheters starting on page 24); but also all the ‘happenings’ – featuring some of the most inspiring people in the Knitting Universe—including appearances, demonstrations, and/or books signings by Anna Zilboorg, Antje Gillingham, Arlene Lee, Bert & Dana Freed, Beth Brown-Reinsel, Betsy Hershberg, Candace Eisner Strick, Cap Sease, Daniel Yuhas, Deborah Newton, Drew Emborsky, Edie Eckman, Galina A. Khmeleva, Gwen Bortner, Jane Slicer-Smith, JC Brier, Jean Frost, Kristin Omdahl, Laura Bryant, Barry Klein, Lily Chin, Lisa Souza, Margaret Hubbert, Margaret Fisher, Peggy Gaffney, and Melissa Leapman. And you can see those schedules right in the Show Book on pages 29 – 33.

If you haven’t heard we also have something special planned on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm (see page 68 in the Show Book). We’re talking, of course, about the Great Halos of Hope Buzzz. Benjamin Levisay, Drew Emborsky, and Mark Moraca are putting their hair on the line for Halos of Hope. Not only is it for a good cause, there are prizes that you could win if you vote… and your Great Halos of Hope Buzz receipt can be used by you as your FREE pass into the Market all day on Saturday during STITCHES East.

Speaking of the Market, if you’re looking to just buy tickets, you can also purchase your tickets online. You’ll save a few dollars and lots of time! With a quick scan of your printed ticket at the door, you can zoom past the crowds and start shopping right away! Just click on the ticket to the left to use our easy, online ticket service.

If you purchase a Market Session class, you do not need to purchase an online ticket. Simply stop at the Registration desk (to the left of the market entrance) and pick up your badge. Your Badge is your ticket to the Market ALL weekend long.

If you crave more than the Market Floor, take a look at our full offerings of Expo Classes, the Opening Day Spotlight with Deborah Newton and Luncheon, the Fashion Show, and the Student Banquet.

That’s all for now. We can’t wait to see you at STITCHES!

P.S. Make sure you check out the STITCHES East 2012 Vendor Preview thread on Ravelry for sneak peaks at what our wonder vendors and sponsors are bringing to the Market! And if you’re looking for Erin Garcia’s amazing map of the STITCHES East 2012 Market Floor, you can download that PDF here.