Stitches West 2023 report...

 ...my first time at the Sacramento location.

...the short story is that I did not buy as much as previous years.

I attended Thursday and Friday. After looking at the vendor list and reading that two (Liza Souza and Stunning String Studio) of the three vendors I wanted to visit had to cancel because of bad weather.

Thursday:
Arrived 2 hours before the market opened, which gave me plenty of time to check into my hotel and pick up my registration. I organized myself and then headed back to the convention center to knit until the market opened.

My primary goal was to purchase fiber from Greenwood Fiberworks. There were lots of yummy fibers and I bought a few. Then I explored the other vendors, looking for more interesting fiber to spin. Seattle Sky Dyeworks was a new vendor for me and I bought a bump of fiber there. I missed seeing both Liza Souza and Stunning String Studio. I planned on spending a lot of time in both booths. :(

I got back to my room and ordered room service - I use the term loosely, as they delivered my order packed as to-go food. I won't do that again until regular room service returns (if it ever does). Next time, I'll order it to pick-up and avoid the percentage they added to deliver to my room. :-|

Friday:
I hit Starbucks for breakfast and coffee and headed off to the convention center. I ate my breakfast, chatted with some ladies, and knit until the market opened.

I concentrated on shopping for yarn. I have a weaving project running around in my mind and was looking to see if any yarn matched what was in my head. I bought two more braids of fiber at Greenwood Fiberworks and a couple of small things. Unfortunately, a lot of the yarn didn't appeal to me (too bright, too speckled, too expensive.) There was one shawl sample that I fell in love with, but the vendor didn't have the pattern or the kit.

At this point, I was done shopping. I went off in search of lunch and found a lunch place next to the hotel. I ordered two sandwiches - one for lunch and one for dinner. I really didn't want to spend as much as I did the night before.

I took one class:  Hexagon Stitch with Harry Wells class. The class was interesting and he showed lots of samples. I think I got the hang of the technique, but I wish the class was a little longer so we'd have enough time to practice all of the bind-offs listed in the handout and work on the class project.

My mind was full and I was tired. I was very happy that I had a sandwich waiting for me n my room!

Saturday:
I tried to sleep in, but was not successful. I hit Starbucks again for breakfast and a bottle of water for the trip home.

Row 1: Horizon, Amethyst, Sherbet, Topaz all from Greenwood Fiberworks 
Row 2: Opal, Cherry Blossom from Greenwood Fiberworks 
Row 3: Harvest Time from Greenwood Fiberworks, Less Salmon More Run from Seattle Sky Dyeworks, socks, needle minder from A Needle Runs Through It 
Row 4: Wool Mix Felt Llama kit, silver and black earrings from Featherweight Finery, 3 Sheeps to the Wind cup and red t-shirt from knitbaahpurl

Reflecting On The Trip:
Being at the Hyatt in Sacramento, was like coming home. I stayed there many times for Cross Stitch Festivals and love its proximity to the convention center.

The convention center has been recently redone and, of course, the hotel has upgraded things. What hasn't changed is that the restaurants on the street closest to the hotel are open for limited hours, closing at 3pm. AND the both Starbucks in the area close at 3pm!  So unless you want to walk 15 or 20 minutes or take your car out of the garage to look for food, you're stuck with the hotel. Since I was by myself, there was no way I was walking 15 or 20 minutes to get food.

I'm not sure that I'll want to go to Stitches West every year like I used to pre-Covid. A lot depends on whether some of my friends will be going.