Just so you know…
So the schedule has been out for well over 24 hours and no major disasters have hit and we are pretty pleased with it. Actually we think it is really pretty. I thought before we headed on to the next step, I would address some of the issues from your questions, since they all boil down to about the same thing for us.
Stephanie and I are the backbone and the ring leaders of this event. We both have some very firm “this is how we live our lives” rules and since this beast is ours, well then, it certainly stands to reason that you would find a lot of who we are here.
First and foremost, it is very important to us that this event is accessible to everyone. In order for this to happen it needs to be affordable. To keep the Sock Summit affordable, we have kept staff low until we need them at the event itself. This means to reach us, you need to use the email addresses we have supplied. There is no sock summit phone number. We do realize this is frustrating to some and for this we are sorry. Please keep in mind that there are thousands of you, so really the best way to handle the (little bit scary) sheer volume of summiteers is by email.
This also means if we are not as timely with things as you think we should be, please keep in mind that we really are keeping within industry standards on most of our deadline goals. Also know that being the type A’s that we both are, we take these goals very seriously. (Okay so we looked up type A personality types and it turns out we are not, we are just really over worked and care a whole bunch.) It causes no small amount of pain for us to get close to a time goal and know we are not going to meet it exactly as we had planned. We are learning a lot. Some of it is painful.
One of the reasons that the schedule is not offered as a downloadable pdf is affordability. A big expense is the development and upkeep of the website. Downloadable pdfs cost more than a screen view. You can still print the screen view. We ask that you try to read it from the web because one of our other goals here is to keep this event as earth friendly as possible. In this vein, we are trying to use as little paper as possible. We appreciate your help with this.
This is also one of the reasons we chose The Oregon Convention Center. If you visit their website, you can read about all their sustainable practices. The convention center is also really accessible. The Max light rail goes directly from the PDX airport to the front door of the convention center and from there to downtown Portland. Most of the hotels are right there, along with restaurant choices. And again downtown Portland is about a 10 minute light rail ride, with a station right at the convention center entrance.
Along with being a really lovely place on the planet, Portland is a pretty affordable place and easy to navigate. It is also very green in both sustainability practices and that whole growing things arena.
When we booked this event, we got as many hotel rooms in close proximity of the convention center as were available. Because of the economy this changes and we check on this every two weeks. We will do so again this week to see if any have been made available for us to add to our blocks. Mostly though they are just filled to the very rafters with sock knitters. There are a lot of us. In three months Portland is going to be over run with knitters…sock knitters. We are trying to prepare them for this. We do not think they are getting it.
One of the most challenging parts of organizing an event of this magnitude is making decisions and choices, always keeping in mind and heart pleasing the most amount of people while keeping it affordable and functional. This is our goal and we both know that is not possible to make everyone happy. We are doing our best to stay true to you and to us.
We consider Sock Summit a holistic event. Where there is something for everyone sock knitting-wise. This includes the summiteers, the teachers,the vendors and sponsors and yes, even us. Our hope is that there are moments to be made and shared that we will cherish for years, as in the book signing part of this. We see this as not just a chance to get your books signed, but an opportunity to meet and have a one on one moment with extraordinary knitters,designers, teachers, and people. We have tried to arrange this so there is as much access to as many as possible. Oh, and so we have some crazy sock knitting fun too.
P.S. Vendors. we are running your charges today and tomorrow.
Comments are closed.
I can not tell you how amazed I am that you guys are pulling this off. It is stupendous, amazing, fabulous. I can hardly sleep anymore, it is about the most exciting thing I can imagine. And that it is coming together by the thoughtful, diligent efforts of people just like me, well, I am stopped in my tracks with gratitude and awe.
Make sure you guys get some you time. We want you to enjoy this, too.
Much love,
Michele
I really have to agree with Michele- what you are doing is “stupendous, amazing, fabulous.” And it wasn’t something you HAD to do. Thank you. I hope it is as fun for you as you are trying to make it for everyone else!!
Knowing all of you and what you accomplish each year at sock camp I know this event will be historic and tons of fun. Please let the whiners be like buzzing in your ears. Ignore as much as possible and keep true to your vision. It’s an amazing wonderful vision and Portland is lucky to have us coming in August. Looking forward to every day and all the slow reveals. We know you are doing your absolute best and still running a business, keeping families fed and maybe occasionally getting some time to sit back relax and knit or spin.
We will be enjoying the fruits of your labors come August. Looking forward to all of it. Hugs, really lots of hugs, Alice
P.S. when do you want the wine? (notice no “h”)
I agree, wholeheartedly! Keep in mind that the reason you’re getting feedback is that so many of us are soooo excited about this event – if no one cared, it would be really, really quiet.
I will have to confess that I did print the class schedule though – I’m spending the next three weeks obsessively making lists (OK, spreasheets. I didn’t have to look up type-A, I am one) and trying to figure out how to warp the space/time continuum.
You’re doing a fabulous job, and we’ll never be able to thank you and Stephanie enough for all of your hard work!
AMAZING. You and Stephanie. (Beer drinking Ring Leaders, hehe!)and your elves!
I selected my class schedule (that i cannot attend) and had no problem doing so. May consider cloning self…
AMAZING…
hugs
PS. so glad you have scheduled yourselves to enjoy some of it!
I just had to chime in to agree with the other commenters! You two are doing fabulous work, and I know that I’m not the only one who’s tremendously grateful, and as excited as a kid on Christmas morning about the whole thing.
How could anyone ever whine?? You guys are doing such an amazing job I cannot even start to figure how you are doing it! Ten thousand “thank you’s” for all you have done and are doing.
all the blessings of life to each of you !
You guys are absolutely incredible. What a gift you’re giving to so many!
Amen!! To your post, the commenters, to your hardwork! Both you and Steph are doing an incredible job!! This is going to be a one of a kind, very special event!
Notorious Sock Knitters are taking over Portland come August!! With you two as our fearless leaders!
we love you…..
Just remember, “You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.” Repeat as needed.
oohh Mya too funny. Agreed and really I hope I did not come off as being upset I am not just trying to inform and share. Ok maybe a little frustrated at times.
My wonderfully notorious sock knitters gently (most of the time) taught me about the pleasing. Also raising children the best lesson in this.
Like a big group of preschoolers, really. All with different needs. I do imagine that your homeschooling experience and previous professional life help a great deal as well!!!
What will you do in September? Please say “NOTHING”! lol
I remember back in the day when we had to walk to school, through the snow, uphill…both ways.
Mercy, I am so excited to go to sock school in August. I don’t care if I have to go uphill both ways!
Tina, Marc the wonder Sweetie wonders if we shall have a sock motorcade down MLK boulevard to accompany the start of the Sock Summit. I’m thinking a line of shiny Prius’ and diesel Jettas with socks attached to the attennae like little flags flapping in the breeze.
TracyBird, I am sooooo in!
Ok So I really, really, like really, wanted a parade.
Wouldn’t it be great fun? I’m wondering how we can pull off a small one? I’d have my Prius at the ready. Just need to buy myself some of those things we can stick in the car windows to flap socks.
Judy are you up for dreaming up something easy to pull off while at Knit Night and then find out if there is a will and a way to get it done.
TracyBird, I’m your girl! My Prius is ready to go! Let’s do it.
Won’t be here this week (out of town) but will be back next. In the meantime, mention it to Tiggiewinkle Knits.
I also would just love, love, love, love to have Portlandia holding yarn and needles for a few days. I wonder what would need to be done to make that happen? I bet Tool Man could make some extra-large-sized knitting needles.
The plot thickens Muahahahahaha! Emailing Bobbie now. Let’s see what fun we can drum up.
I have enough faith in you guys that I have bought plane tickets to come for the sock summit from Australia. Have I booked accommodation? No. Am I sure of getting in to classes? No. Do I think it will be amazing and I’ll remember it for years? Yes.
Thank you so much for organising this.
Tina, you and Stephanie are putting together such fabulousness, it’s unbelieveable! Just remember there are tons of quiet knitters you don’t hear from that are head-over-heels excited and can’t wait for SS. I know you guys are trying to think of everything, Sock Summit will be incredible, and Portland will be amazed. And a parade…oh, I would love a parade!
Thank you!
: D
Once again, bless you ladies for doing this. I defy any of the rest of us to even begin to replicate what you have done, are doing and will do.
It boggles my mind – the myriad of details and the responsibility you have taken on.
Keep up the great work and please, take care of yourselves. You want to be upright come August so you can enjoy the fruits of your labors.
Fondly,
Pat
Boy, oh boy, have you ladies done a fantastic thing here by creating the Sock Summit. And an incredibly daunting and amazing thing! Thank you for all the effort you have put into this gathering. I can hardle wait to register – having mmade my list and then having checked it over and over! No matter what classes I end up with I will be in heaven. I’m excited about your environmentally-concious efforts, too. Thanks for caring. See you in August! Emily