I have always found it interesting that one of the things that most surprises non-knitters about our craft is the lively social component. Although you can, and we do, sit alone at home enjoying the quiet click of the needles, there is nothing better than a good knitting group. Or a fiber festival. The more fiber obsessed people with which to share our projects, our glee over a lovely skein of alpaca, or my habit of smelling any new yarn I see, the better! Knitting and crocheting, although done by individuals, is intensely social.
Which brings me to the arrival of a new book, Knitalong by Larrissa Brown and Martin John Brown. 
Together, this husband and wife team explore the community of knitting. As many of you know, we received a happy little surprise when a good friend pointed out that The Knitting Experience Café got a mention in the book.
I guess our reputation for any-excuse-for-a-party parties has gotten out!
With that in mind, I thought it was time we discussed the TKE social calendar for June.
First up - the Maine Fiber Frolic. This Sat and Sun, June 7 and 8, venders, farmers, and fiber fanatics from all over Maine, New England and beyond will gather at the Windsor Fairgrounds. Check out the website here for details. As in past years, we'll be going that way ourselves, and there will likely be a caravan of knitters heading out on Saturday from our parking lot.
Next item on the agenda: WWKIP. That would be World Wide Knit in Public Day on Sat. June 14. This is the day to take your projects out in public and represent this fabulous craft. Hey, in the process, we might convert a few non-knitters. Think of the public service you would be providing! For each non-knitter you bring into the fold, the world becomes a little calmer and a little happier.
We'll be KIPing all day, all over Brunswick and would love to have you join us. Right now, the tentative schedule is:
Early morning knitting and shopping at the Crystal Springs Farmer's Market. Karen, of the Bowdoin Baking Company will be there with yummy treats - a great way to start the day!
After that, it is off to the town mall for some relaxing knitting in the sun. From there, we are going to enjoy the sights and sounds of Maine Street from the vantage point of all the lovely benches spread along its length. Just imagine the sight! As people walk down Maine Street, they see 2-3 knitters at every bench!
Lunch at a local cafe - TBD, mid-afternoon snack/caffeine hit at Little Dog, and dinner at The Frontier Cafe.
If you are interested in joining us for any of the dining stops, let me know, so I can give the various cafés a bit of a warning before invaded by knitters.
As with past years, all are welcome to join us at any point throughout the day. The shop will be open for emergency knitting needs, so you can always stop in to ask where the group is at that point in the day. We recommend that you bring your knitting, a chair, a water bottle, and enough $$ to cover any dining, shopping, emergency ice cream needs that you may have.
Speaking of knitting in public and project sharing, here are some pics of finished and in-progress knits from this past weekend:
Christina is modeling the gorgeous Silk Garden creation that she made for her mother. She is a better woman than I, to give away a sweater that looks that perfect on her.
Patti finished her second Taiyo sweater. It looks great!
Sarah is well on her way to finishing her own Taiyo.
And Sandy and Max were too adorable. Sandy is making socks out of Panda Cotton, and Max did a wonderful job greeting everyone who came into the shop. Thanks Max!