Stitch and bitch knitting circle

@ Elem - We need to remove the Gast off of our header simply because we don`t want any new potential person wanting to join us and go there to the Gast and not be able to find us. It would put a sour feeling towards us.

Just thought I'd add my bit. While you're busy looking for that ideal place that doesn't exist you'll lose your stitch and bitchers. Change the header to leave out the place and try out a different one each week, by posting, setting up a sign-up sheet, or pm-ing or whatever. There is no ideal place - not at the price you want to pay. Cheap cocktails don't go together with a relaxed atmosphere, reclining on couches, but at the same time with bright lights - and American-style service. You can find the latter in the big hotels - no problem - but you have to pay the price. Have you thought about meeting in each other's homes? There you have couches, lighting and the drinks are cheap. Good luck!

Thank you for saying that, Nicky. That's exactly the point. You can't get everything you want. Compromise in some areas is the keyword here. Otherwise, like Nicky said, it meeting at each other's places where you can accommodate eveybody easily.

I'll PM editor Bob now, to take the Gast off the anchor post...sorry, I kinda forgot about it.

I hope it will still say Wednesday at 6, Will Travel, see site for details, or some such thing. Don't want to lose the Wed option all together.

Just my tuppence worth...

I don't agree with the whole sales pitch of increasing client sale each week, or for that matter, guaranteeing spending money there. You can't be sure the group will grow sufficiently to make those claims and I don't think that they see cradling one drink all night as spending money. You have to remember Marilyn, that we are not in America and if you go shouting the odds about what you want and how you want it, they'll just chuck you out. I don't actually think getting chucked out of Gast had a great deal to do with not spending enough, as I'd bought 3 beers and food. I think it was more to do with the fact that anyone who tried to sit at our table (even though it was obvious no one else was coming) got told to bugger off. Europeans don't take kindly to that sort of thing and the establishments don't care if they lose out on advertising from a small group of people that wouldn't make any difference to their profits anyway. You just can't go shouting the odds around here, this is not Boston

You just have to find somewhere comfy and friendly. I've not noticed anyone drinking cocktails at the Wednesday anyway, it's all wine or beer. As for good lighting, well if you want good lighting, then I agree with Nicky, home is better. You can't expect these places to be exactly what you want, you have to compromise. I didn't have any problems with the light at Gast at all and you have to understand that these aren't craft halls, they're pubs, bars or restaurants.

As for Gast, well I think the idea of frosted (but still very transparent) toilet doors is ridiculous and I don't appreciate paying the same price for food and drinks as anywhere else, but having to do the table serving myself. So, no loss there anyway.

If I wanted to collect my own beer from the bar, I'd go back to England

Just want to tell you that I've PMed Editor Bob about changing the anchor post and the subtitle of the thread, but he hasn't got around to it yet. And yes, Wednesday group will still be up there, but visitors will have to check the thread for venue. So please be patient before you start saying that I'm not doing anything.

Em - you're not doing anything

*rebellious grin*

I did like Gast, so it's a shame it didn't work out there, but since that option doesn't exist anymore, I do like the idea of travelling once a week. Yes it is more work to organize and figure out, but that we get to find new places that we might not have tried or otherwise known about appeals to me. So it does have an upside. Also, I'm thinking that ahead of the world cup, when a lot of places are probably going to be selling to the footie-watching crowds, we might not find a place that wants to committ space to us every single week. And if I open up a restaurant/café someday, I'll include a crafts-spot

First off, I had this long post all prepared to post and I lost it. Probably it was a God send. First off, I have one major problem, people who have problems with other people and try desperately to go about their own business and even plan new functions on the designated nights of the SNB, do not need to criticize other people for trying to hold this club together. First you snear, the idea of a fourth table at the Escobar then you snear at the idea of a plush couch. In my opinion, there isn`t anything that you don`t find appauling. Now I have heard how the TB`s bathroom weren`t clean, and how the Gast`s bathroom you`ve got a problem with that too. And you certainly wouldn`t even try the Escobar`s bathrooms take my word for it. And if you waiting to get yourself drunk at the Escobar, you`d better hold your breath for you`ll walk out of there sober, and your knitting with have someone else`s food on it. Now I went to a restaurant this past Thursday night and there was a party of 11 nursing their drinks having a birthday party, and stayed at this table for 6 hours not 3 and half like we do. There was a reserved sign on this table as the people did their job and called ahead of time to reserve it. Even at Prime TIME and the place was packed and not one person dared to sit down, they honored the reserved sign. So what part of reserved don`t you understand, and if I have people PM me as to who is going to attend and who is not, and I know who is coming. Therefore when I tell people that no they can`t sit there whether it is Prime time or not, it means that no we are expecting others to arrive. As Celina and Simone still weren`t there as yet. I was not going to give up these spaces that belonged to the group for that reserved table. Now I have heard all of the complaining from each place, that they are terrible. Dammit this is Germany not ENGLAND AND NOT AMERICA. But if these 11 people can get the respect from a German restaurant so should we. They got more than enough room, they got service, they got clean bathrooms, and they got their food removed on time and this is Germany. Hell they even threw in the lighting as an extra for it was a lounge. You want to be treated like shit, fine then be treated like shit. You want to drink yourself into obserdity fine then drink yourself into obserdity, the place will still be in the same awful condition whether your drunk or sober. But if you want to get the respect that you do deserve in this country there are places. We were told that we would get extra lighting when we approached the Escobar, have we got it yet, nope, but we still go there. We were told we could eventually take up the whole back room, but try to move to the fourth table. Eat your food and get your knitting in it. Do it. Keep doing it and you will get the same thing over and over again. I know we can achieve a lot better than this. But do we want to do anything about it, nope. Why is it that other people in Germany can and do get the respect that they are so entitled to. Because they won`t take it. I guess we are the only suckers that hit the pavement. I know there is better out there even in Germany, and it is NOT AT A HOTEL.
As far as I am concerned Wednesday nights are still on. This week it will be the Stoa, and if it isn`t what we want then we go on. And I do not mind setting up each and every week if the need be to go search a new place. We are entitled to much better. Funny but we had a good time at the Gast, but now look at how you dispize the place. Unbelievable really. They did every thing for us up until this last week, it was good. So people who say that putting up a new place and PMing you for a new place and on and on, I guess it is o.k. for only you, that do it and not someone else.

I suggest you shut your mouth, because some of those comments were obviously directed at me (seeing as I'm the one who mentioned the toilets) and I'm telling you now, I won't take it. At least I had the decency to name who my comments were directed at when I made them in my earlier post, as opposed to your rant, which was not even coherent. It amazes me that you teach English and yet you can't even write it properly. If you look back at my earlier post, you'll see that my opinions were not vented in anger or frustration, as yours seem to be. You will also notice that my comments were valid and coherent, not just ranting and raving. You also seem to have made one huge blunder. I was not insinuating that Germany has lower standards than America, far from it. I was referring to the way that some American customers behave when in America, as opposed to how they should behave when in Europe.

In answer to TinaP's much earlier question as to why I won't be coming anymore, it's exactly because of things like this. I really enjoy socialising with some of the people I've met via SnB, but I have found Marilyn to be thoroughly unpleasant. Lying about things to appear wise, just shows ignorance and stupidity. I'm also not keen on being sent messages that air certain opinions on people one minute and then having to sit there and see her be a total hypocrite the next. I initially had no intention of making these opinions public on the thread this way, but if I'm going to be attacked, then I'm bloody well going to defend myself.

I'm not in the slightest bit interested in arguing this any further and I suggest to you Marilyn, that if you have a problem with me, then you should seek therapy, because I've not done anything wrong. Perhaps you should take a look at your own life and focus on improving whatever it is that causes you to behave in such ways.

This is the same thing I just posted on Google. But now I see that it's in the open. I suggest you two handle it privately. Anyhow, here's my word on this, and I hope that it will be the last on this topic:

Okay, I'm going to say this: Please, calm down! You, Marilyn and whoever you're addressing this to. I do not see myself as the leader here, in case you might get the wrong end of the stick, but I still do not want to see any mud thrown online or offline. We had this problem before and all this ping-pong brings us nowhere. So, I suggest you settle down, look at life on the sunny side and just enjoy knitting with people...be it whether you like them or not. You can choose to talk to them or not to...you have your own life, you make your own choice. I've made my stupid choices that I might have regretted, but it's just like that.

I'm at SnB for knitting and socialising. Yes, probably for bitching, too, but I leave it at one point and don't carry it on anymore online. I suggest that if you have a problem with some individuals, you should go and sort it out personally with them instead of pulling the whole group into it.

Oh dear.
Just to say I'm planning on showing up this evening – and for the same reasons Elem mentioned. Hope to see you all there! (And to return Roz's umbrella. Thank goodness I haven't managed to lose in the past week!)

I agree with C - it is a shame that the Gast didn't work out.

I was talking with my sweetie about a possible solution and he has made an excellent point (and with the benefit of a local's insight)...

We could consider finding a place that we like and, before dropping our group in there and expecting everything to work out, talking to the manager about our group and what we would like to arrange. This way, they know who we are and what we're up to, and can say whether it will work. It also saves us the headaches of being upset with the conditions, service, etc.

On another, slightly sadder, note I am afraid that tonight may be my last Escobar night for awhile - heading west to the golden state soon! And yes, I might just put flowers in my hair!

This is an hilarious thread, cheers guys. Militant Knitters, who'd have thought it.

Almost makes me want to show up in person to watch knitting needles fly!

Apologies, but I couldn't resist!

Can someone please summarise the argument for me and should i bring weapons later?

@laura_k, no, your knitting needles will do just fine as weapons!

thanks love i will make sure theyre nice and sharp

@Laura_k, make sure you bring your straight needles. We'll have a duel!

I've heard through the grapevine that I apparently have issues with the various loos encountered in our snb venue search... For the record, this is not the case. In fact, now that I think of it, the loo at Escobar has great lighting, no smoke, and it's not so loud... Why don't we knit in there?

*YAY!* Let's all go knit in the Escobar's Loo tonight! Ladies' or Gentlemen's?

Hey, I'm pretty equal-opp - especially when queues are involved - except that the ladies usually has less of a, er, whiff than the gents' so let's meet there.

So, any deaths by yarn to report?

My needles are entirely honourable me ludd

Finally, I've registered here, to make communication a bit easier... I'd like to make a reservation for us at Stoa some time soon, so I'm asking again: who thinks they'll be coming on Wednesday?

See you at Stoa!

regan, count me in!!!

Me three, me three. Well just one of me really, but you get what I mean. I finished one side of whatever it is I'm working on – bag, mini-skirt, tanktop, pink loo-seat warmer

Count me in.

Now, some more information on Stoa. You can find the website at www.stoa-westend.com. Take the U4/5 to Schwanthalerhöhe and (still on the tracks) follow the directions to "Ganghoferstrasse". Then take the first exit to the right, and walk straight ahead for two blocks (this should take about 2 minutes). The Stoa will be right in front of you, on the corner of Ganghoferstrasse/Gollierstrasse.

Any more questions on directions? Let me know!

Looking forward to seeing y'all there!

Well, without having read the latest developments on this thread, I unsuspectingly dropped by at the Escobar last Sunday as I was passing by that way anyway, and I met some very pleasant, friendly, mild-mannered people engaged in their handicrafts. Little did I suspect I was entering the battlefield of a TT Knitting War! If I go there again, I'll be sure to arm myself with sharp steel knitting needles and some very long, pointed scissors!
But at least some of the jokes about toilets make more sense to me now!

So, who wants to check out the loos at Stoa with me this Wednesday??? TalksToStrangers, I know you're up to it!

Never joke about the toilets, 'tis a very serious business you know.

well, don't you know that we're all very serious about our business, Sid?

You should know that I'm about as serious as a pancake on jelly

Except, when it comes to matters of extreme importance, like knitting teddies (I've finished him now, just got to sew him up and give him a birth certificate)

I'm in for Stoa... gotta make sure alles in ordnung mit der loo

I've promised TinaP that I'd post this. So here you go:

[img]http://static.flickr.com/48/148298422_51d09ed73e.jpg[/img]

Stoa was nice...Swimming Pool was strong. Potato wedges with sour cream was yummy!

Oh, yeah, I learned to knit/purl English style!!! Fair-Isle, here I come! I also made mindless stockinette stitches while walking last night!!!

Love the sock half, LOL.

tinap

Nice sock!

Everybody, today's World Wide Knit In Public Day (KIP-Day). Get your pointy sticks and your yarn, get out in public and KNIT! Who wants to come and KIP with me???

Ps. I've sent in an audio comment to a German knitting podcast advertising the SnB group on Sunday. Just to let you know. I've also stressed the fact that we speak predominantly English and that it is wanted that newcomers speak English.

Surely this group is more suited to the German English Association than to Toytown which is directed at native-speakers or near native-speakers?

What about the German-speaking Stammtisch then? Should they be thrown out of TT as well, because they speak the "wrong" language at their meetings? Seriously, what is your problem with the German language?

So did you KIP yesterday, ELEM? What a great day for it. I'm afraid I missed it as I was having a SIP day yesterday - Shop in Public. I'm not sure if I'm going to make it tonight, but am going to try for TTS's last day. Have they played your comment, yet? I'm going to start listening. Enjoy the sun, everyone! :-D

C in M, yes, indeed I KIPed yesterday at the Hofbräugarten at Wienerplatz. Here are some proofs:

[img]http://static.flickr.com/61/164455481_444529a4a9.jpg[/img] [img]http://static.flickr.com/52/164455482_ef8d0bddae.jpg[/img]

You have to really try and come tonight!!! See y'all at Escobar!

If you're not on the mailing list and would like to be, please pm me with your email address, yo.

Ok I just had to share this squirell in a jumper with all of you. Enjoy!

Apparently, the squirrel needs a source

eh – it didn't work! Should have checked my work. will try to fix that, but have to run off to work now. Sorry all, it's such a great squirell

edit: OK I don't know what's wrong with it. If you want to see the squirell go to www.cuteoverload.com, but do it soon, cause it'll keep getting pushed down the page as more entries get added up top.

Tada!

Though I have to say, this one made me really chuckle...