The Fort Walton Ham* Fest was Saturday. Fort Walton is next door to Mary Esther and only about 2 hours away from here. Being the good little Amateur Radio Operators that we are, Michael and I hopped right in the car**. I snapped this of the Mary Esther house as we drove by:

Hi, house! I miss you so much in the winter time!

If you’ve never been to a Ham Fest (I am pretty sure you haven’t), it is a big radio flea market: junk, radio innards and antennas everywhere. I worked on my socks while Michael poked around.

That’s still Bloomin’ Feet Sock #1.

The 3×1 cuff is MUCH better and the only reason I didn’t go with it the first time I tried it is that it curls a little at the top (not enough purls in the ribbing to keep it flat). I have a plan to fix that***.

While I was standing around knitting, it occurred to me that we were very close to a yarn store! After a small amount of whining and an antenna purchase, I secured a visit.

You’ll notice that there seems to be enough yarn of one color to actually MAKE something!

It has changed ownership since I was there last. Now called Unwind, the shop carries a much better selection for “serious” knitters than before. There wasn’t a whole lot of sock yarn, but it IS Florida (home of the flip flop) so I can forgive that. There were a bunch of people in the back sitting around and knitting. EVERYONE was very friendly and helpful – not just the girl who was working the counter. I ended up buying a book (the new Interweave sock one) and no yarn. Oh the shame! I didn’t expect them to have enough of anything so I didn’t bring the yarn requirements or colors for my upcoming projects with me. I won’t make that mistake again.

*Ham like radio not like smoke-cured – although the sausage festival was in Pensacola this weekend. Mere coincidence? I think not.
**To tell the truth, I was not planning to go until 20 minutes before we got in the car. Otherwise I would have tired to harass Becky into coming with me. Trust me, Becky, you are better off this way, Ham Fests are not exactly my idea of a Good Time. Sausage Festivals on the other hand…
***Just because I have a plan doesn’t mean that curling solution suggestions aren’t welcome!