For those who want to know what a Crank-in is?

I posted a poll about Crank-ins.  I told you that after the poll was over which is now, that I would explain what they are for those of you who are curious.  A crank-in, is best described as a mini sock knitting conference.  A common place organized by someone who invites other crankers to come along and join them.  Crankers get together to SHARE and to LEARN and make valued, and even ever lasting CSM friendships!  The crank-ins can be very large, or very small or something or everything in between.  To be honest, MrB and I have not attended one yet but we have two on our list to go to this year!  One in June to Belfast, Maine and one to Port Elgin Ontario in October!  Right now in heart would like to be getting ready to go to Missouri this weekend but that one is not in the cards for us this year.  It is on our bucket list to do though, some year maybe 2014 and beyond!  MrB has some things he is dying to find out from others at the June crank-in, to run some things by others and converse how do you do this, what do you like best, do you sugges this or that?  You can only learn so much by the online groups and virtual self-educating, that it is a such a worth while and valuable tool to have some face-to-face contact too with other CSMers.  There are not an abundance of CSMers in Atlantic Canada so it is very nice to have joined a group which also includes the New England States.  We are so looking forward to our scheduled crank-ins for this year.  The hardest part is finding out where all the crank-ins are, and taking place and when?  That's what a great part of job entails, I like doing it, and MrB would rather crank out socks and follow me, as I am the planner!  I even made myself a crank-in T-shirt to wear attending the crank-ins this year.  I dug out my fabric paint and wrote my name on it. My real name and my ravelry name too!  While MrB is learning, I am going to be networking and meeting and talking to people and in Maine I want to meet the animals and see the mill and tour the soap making and do all the fun stuff!  Evenings will be our own time, and I can not wait to sit around and chat with others maybe sip on some wine and just have a grand ole time.  Some of my Cranker friends are enroute now to a large crank-in in Missouri, and they visit the manufacture of the whom made our CSM, how luck is that?  I wish them all the best of luck, travelling. learning and socializing too!  I am envious, but  hope to hear all about it after the fact.  I am sure there will be stories and new things that others are bound to share over on the EGKC group.  I am excited for all who are attending that upcoming crank-in and more!  

Now I am off to put on my thinking cap and come up with another poll idea.....
Take care all,
msb from Socks Made On 88