This morning started off on the dreary side; cloudy but dry. I was looking forward to my first ever Knit Out. Third year's the charm I suppose. I used to have a part-time job on Sundays--in a tourist-related industry in Salem, MA. Because this event takes place during the busiest tourist time of the year here, I was never able to take a day off and go in. Since I left my part-time job, I had nothing holding me back today. I have a thing about early starts. My mantra is "Leave early, avoid traffic, get parking." I decided to simply drive down 1A, a straight shoot into Boston. A quick 30-minute drive later (this was Sunday morning after all, and my sister, Knitster Doofus and I were in the North End. Ten minutes later, we were feasting on coffee and canolis. Yes. For breakfast, The most important meal of the day. We had a couple of hours before Knit Out started, so we meandered around, enjoying Boston in the early morning.
We walked off the canolis by traveling on foot to the Boston Common, arriving a teeny bit before noon. Knitster and I checked in at the Blogger's Cafe, then headed over to the exhibitor's tent. There was a lot of activity going on in there. Friendly vendors, happy knitters and crocheters, and quite a few volunteers from different charities were on hand, offering plenty of opportunities to help out others in the Boston area and all over the world. See the links section at the end of this article to see some worthwhile causes. I dropped off two 8" squares to be knitted into blankets. It was good to see the drop-off table piled high with squares, while a few ladies expertly pieced them together.
Lots of great LYSs and companies were there too. Design Source gave out skeins of cheery bright red Manos del Uruguay's Cotton Stria. It's super soft! Rowan had plenty of baby patterns to pass around. Webs passed out copies of their new Fall catalog and everyone had the chance to enter to win a $50 gift certificate. While no sales are allowed, everyone had lots of skeins/hanks/balls of all sorts of fabulous yarn to drool over/play with.
If a skein of free yarn and lots of free patterns weren't enough, let me mention the door prize booth. I was very impressed with the democratic way in which this was handled, but maybe I don't attend enough events where door prizes are handed out. This is the door prize line at 12:20. It moved quickly. Boston's door prize line was orderly and polite; according to this blogger, New York's Knit Out attendees got rather grabby when the free knitting needles were being given out. And they were size 17 needles. Sheesh! 
Both my sister and I received the same prize: a bag containing 10 balls of Skacel's Gatto in the green color Knitscene uses for the Oscar baby fuzzy hat and booties pattern. Well, at least now I know one project I can make with this stuff. I'll stop with the italics now.
There were lots of great events going on by the bandstand. Contests were held for the fastest knitter and the fastest crocheter. All the participants were given the same size needles and same type of yarn to work with. They were given these to take home after the contests. Each contest only lasted a minute!
The fashion show was next. I enjoyed this event the most. A handful of ladies modeled a variety of knitwear and crochetwear. Most of the models created the items they were wearing. Some were original patterns, some were from favorite patterns and books like Last Minute Knitted Gifts and Stitch and Bitch. There were sweaters, coats, hats, scarves, gloves, shrugs and more. Oh yeah. Did I mention it was 80 degrees out?
Then there was this showstopper. Sad to say I can't remember the model/knitter's name, but she made this stunning dress and hat ensemble from a vintage pattern dating from 1938. Fabulous! This girl owned the runway! It was during the fashion show that the first "sprinkle" of the day started. Out popped the umbrellas, only to be put away five minutes later. Except for mine and my sister's, which were sitting in my car parked in a garage in the North End. Duh! We were lucky; the forecasts called for afternoon rain or thunderstorms. The only rain we saw took the form of four, maybe five very light sprinkles that each lasted only a couple of minutes. The weather forecasters predicted the day would be both windy and humid, and, oddly, it was.
There were demonstrations of every kind, from spinning to picking up stitches. Volunteers taught adults and children the basics of knitting and crochet. Jil Eaton signed books. Mingling among the the rabid fiber enthusiasts were Park Rangers, busloads of tourists, souvenir and fried dough vendors, as well as colonial-costumed tour guides. Plenty of non-knitters passing though the Common came over to see what all the fuss was about. Some of them looked amused, others thought it was a terrific idea.
Windsor Buttons exhibited at Knit Out. They're normally closed on Sundays, but were open yesterday. Since they're a mere block away from the Common, Knitster and I went over. I have to admit I've never been in Windsor Buttons, so I was glad they were open. My sister is just starting to knit, so she never really paid the storefront much attention, but was excited because she's been walking past them on her way to the bus stop every day for the past two years! I was tempted, but I didn't buy anything. But I'll be back.
It was a fantastic day. By the time we headed back to the car my feet were kiling me and I was extremely hot. But Knit Out was totally worth the leg cramps and heat exhaustion! Thank you to the planners, volunteers, donors, everyone who did such an awesome job and committed their time and energy to provide this free event to everyone. You all rock! Love you!
Newborns in Need, NH Chapter Donate knitted items for preemies and newborns
Socks For Soldiers Servicemen and servicewomen need warm socks
Afghans for Afghans For famillies in Afghanistan