German Ravelry Meeting 2010

It's been over two weeks, but here are my impressions of the 2nd German Ravelry meeting in Backnang. I only went for a day because I realized it's not a big detour on the way to my mom so I might as well check it out.

So many knitters:It was quite the sight, I don't think I've ever seen so many knitters in one place. It really made me want to visit one of those really huge knitting events in the UK or US. There were a few people who recognized me by my user name which was both surprising and very nice, but mostly people seemed to already know each other and a bit out of character for me, I didn't just randomly start chatting to everyone about all the pretty yarn and stuff.
I went to check out the town, mainly to get provisions for the day. Backnang is a nice little town and my sense of direction being what it is, I got totally lost on my way back. Which would have been annoying BUT suddenly I came across the most amazing patchwork fabric store I've ever seen. Granted, it was the first one I've been in but that doesn't make it any less amazing. Check out the pretty fabrics! The photos really don't do them justice but you get the idea. I'm seriously considering saving up and going back there next year, even if they move the Ravelry meeting. The only reason I didn't go bankrupt right then and there was that I often get a mental block when there are just too many pretty things I want and I can't decided on the spot. Still got some lovely buttons for a vest I need to finish.
After that I was off to my only course, learning to spin on a drop spindle from the amazingly patient Jürgen. We even got to keep our spindles and some pretty fiber. Since we ran a bit late, I missed the beginning of this:

The yarn pool! Which is exactly what the name suggests, a pool filled with yarn. Once each day, a few lucky people got to dive in and fill their bags to the brim. It was fun just watching them. And of course later, after the crowd had cleared, I took my shoes off and jumped in myself. Taking a yarn bath is quite the experience.

Yarnyarnyarnyarn! Honestly, I had to check myself when I got out because I was scared I'd grabbed some of the prettier skeins without thinking.
Of course you could also acquire yarn in a more orderly fashion:

Yeah, I forgot to take photos of most things but there were a lot more stands. I bought some more spinning fiber in pretty colors but other than that, it was decision overload again so it was a pretty cheap afternoon.
Annie from stricknetz.net very patiently explained her knitting machine to me. These things run partially on yarn and partially on magic, I tell you. I kind of want one now, if it weren't for size, price and the sheer amount of yarn those things can knit up in a few days.

I only stayed for a couple of hours but somehow I already had enough. I should probably have made more of an effort to talk to people but on the train to my mom I immediatly fell asleep and was out like a light for the rest of the journey. When I came home I had already come down with a bad cold which kept me mostly asleep for the rest of the weekend. I guess that's my excuse for not being as social as I could have been, but it was still an amazing day. Next time I want to decide on going earlier, book a room and take as many courses as I can, especially if there's another one about lace! And talk to more people, obviously.