Patricia June 5th, 2007
I once read, “Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone.” I’m pleased to say that in 2008, I’m NOT traveling alone. The all star line up we have coming with us delights me to no end. And I can no longer count the number of times an e-mail has passed between us that begins with the almost word, “Squee.”  I warn you, I’m a lot in love with each of these women. They amaze me in so many ways and truly they are not just amazing because of the mark they are leaving in the knitting world, they are truly cool women.
With further ado, I bring you the Cruise Staff and Patricia’s Brain Trust for Sea Socks ‘08:
Back with us for a second year, I and thrilled that Mama E will be bringing us her sparkling personality and delightful teaching style. She had the single most talked about class on Sea Sock ‘07 and everyone was loving their art inspired color swatches. But who is she? Originally from the New York Area (code for New Jersey) and making her home in Baltimore, with husband (D) and cute son, Cowboy; Mama E is a hand-dying artist. The creator of C*EYE*BER Fibers, she hand dyes rovings and all sorts of fabulous yarns. With an amazing eye for color, Mama E has been featured in all sorts of places, including Knitty.
Mama E will once again be producing her magical exclusive colorways for the cruise (I think I once told her I could eat her yarn and yet, she still speaks to me — I think this speaks to the joy that is Mama E than my talent with the words). In addition, she will be teaching a follow-up course on color theory that will challenge those in this year’s class as well as delight the first time Sea Socks folks.
Speaking of Knitty, the mastermind and editor of Knitty.com, Amy Singer jumped at the opportunity to share her knitting mojo with us on the ship. Amy is the Queen of the “Squee” as far as I’m concerned — as I have countless e-mails that bring a smile to my face regarding how excited she is to be joining us. Now, her noteworthiness (that is SO a word) doesn’t end with Knitty. Amy wrote No Sheep for You (though I not so secretly think it should have been No Sheep for Ewe, but I’m sick that way) and co-authored Big Girl Knits and the upcoming Big Girl Knits 2. What you want to know about Amy is that she fell in love with cruising in Caribbean last year — this is good for us, because she can’t wait to get back on a ship (I happen to know for a fact that she has the webcam of a ship on her desktop — just sayin’). In addition, I don’t think she cared what the ship was once I said the magic word, Alaska.
Amy has promised to teach her “No Sheep” Class on yarn substitutes, for which I’m currently writing down a LONG list of questions for her. In addition, I’m working really hard to get her to teach a short class on lace work with sock yarns, according to her, she’s been doing this alot. Personally, I’m fully planning on celebrating Amy and Knitty one night of the cruise with “Knitty Night,” where we can share our completed (or not) Knitty Knits and Amy will share her tips/tricks on getting published in Knitty.
One person who I know will be up front for Knitty Night, is Chrissy Gardiner. Why? Because I think that’s just about the only place you can’t find her patterns. Now, I know it isn’t personal since two of her patterns will be featured in Big Girl Knits 2 — so I think Amy is safe ;). Look for her in the Fall ‘07 issues of Interweave Knits and Knitscene as well as in the upcoming books Big Girl Knits 2, Stitch n’ Bitch 3: An Advanced Knitting Manual, Just Socks, Just Gifts, Maternity Knits and Handpainted Knits. She’s also been published in MagKnits and Spun. All of this and she still had time to join us on Sea Socks ‘07. Despite a little downtime in her cabin with the kids and her mom, she jumped on the chance to come with us again. This year she is looking forward to not being stuck in the cabin and knitting in Alaska.
Chrissy is going to be writing our exclusive sock pattern for this year to work with Mama E’s yarn. In addition, she will be teaching during the cruise sock techniques and ideas.
Finally, the woman who will probably win the award for coming the longest distance to cruise with us, Brenda Dayne from Cast On will be joining us. Not only has she interviewed just about everyone in the knitting world, she produces by far one of the best podcasts on knitting. While I could spend hours talking with Brenda on her love for the union of technology and knitting (our connections via blogs, e-mails, and podcasts), I really am looking forward to bending her and Tania’s ear about their 1970 Morris Minor. Ok, so that’s totally personal, but Brenda is delightful in every way.
Brenda will be teaching a class on the Golden Age of Knitting. This is based on how similar this recent resurgence of knitting mirrors the Renaissance and how blogs and podcasting plays an important part of this. Since Brenda has spoken to just about anyone who is anyone in the knitting world, I’m thrilled to hear her take on the Knitting Movement and its future. And speaking of Brenda teaching, Brenda would love to offer an introduction to podcasting class. However, since this is equiptment intensive, we need to know who would be interested in a real hands on class. If you would like an introduction to podcasting with Brenda, please E-MAIL me at seasocks(AT)gmail(DOT)com.
Want to know who I am too? Well, I’m Patricia. I am a travel agent by trade and a knitter by love. I learned to knit a few years ago and instantly was addicted — much like when I first cruised. I’m thrilled to be host to one of the only cruises completely designed for and by knitters. It is my hope that my love for knitting and knitters shows in all that I do for this event.
From the moment you book until I say goodbye in Seattle (and even after if you wish), I am here for you. I will most definately help you with your travel plans, but I also will help with knitting questions, should they arise — you know the hard questions like “What knitting should I bring on the plane?” (the answer is something for me, of course 
and even “how do I pack for the cruise?” (answer: be sure to pack an empty suitcase for your purchases.)
So, there’s your staff.
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