A New Beginning

2010 is going to be the year of a sweater for me. Just one--my first.

Sometimes I think I need a knitting shrink to figure out why I have a sweater phobia because I've never, ever made one. I haven't even knit so much as a baby sweater. For the past couple of years, I've thought, "This is it--I'm doing it. I'm knitting a sweater."

But how many sweaters have you seen on this blog? Nada. Nothing. Zero. Calling Dr. Knitting Shrink!

However, at the Knitters Review Retreat, it all came together for me. I took a sweater class with Ann Hanson. Ann's skilled teaching gave me a huge boost of confidence. Plus I have my measurements and a load of tips for knitting a sweater.

And, sure enough, a pattern I've had my eye on--Jackie Leisure Jacket-- was for sale in the Retreat's marketplace. No excuses--"Oh, I'll buy and download it later." Suddenly I had the pattern in my hands.

One of the suggested yarns is Briar Rose's Fourth of July. Chris, of Briar Rose, was at the Retreat and, again, I had no excuse for talking with her right then and there and placing an order.

And that brings us to right now.





Look at me, I'm swaaaaaatching!

Yarn on the Train

I travelled to the Knitters Review Retreat in Williamstown, MA with my friend Sandy. I took the NJ Transit train over to New Jersey where Sandy picked me up. We then drove north. Talked too much and got turned around in Pittsfield, MA--but we made it to Williamstown without too much fuss.

Returning, we talked too much and made a detour to Albany, NY. But we quickly righted ourselves (Thanks to a phone call to the hubster.) and headed south to New Jersey. I then took the NJ Transit train back to NYC.

For an entire weekend, I knitted, talked about knitting, fondled yarn, talked about yarn, admired the knitting that people wore/were knitting, talked about patterns. So by the time I was on the train back home, I thought I was all-knitted out and took out my Kindle to read for the hour-long trip.

But a woman got on the train. Sat across from me. She had tote bags. In one of the tote bags, I spied green yarn and a knitted afghan. I tried to ignore it. But then she began frogging something green.



I couldn't resist--I had to ask, "What's that you're frogging?"

We then spent the next hour talking about knitting, yarn stores in NYC, patterns, yarn. She was frogging one green scarf, but was knitting another one. As she pulled out yarn, I called out, "Is that Koigu?" "That looks like Shi Bui." She told me about her knitting projects--a dress for a granddaughter, the scarves, a sweater. I pulled out my knitting and told her about the Retreat.

The blanket was made years ago and she was bringing it home for some mending. The grandkids keep it in the back of the car for chilly days.



Before we knew it, we were in Penn Station and as we scrambled to put away our knitting, we quickly traded some knitting tips. I guess I really wasn't all that tired of talking about knitting!

Retreat Goodies

Thank you, everybody, for your kind remarks and support. It means a great deal to us. It was lonely in the apartment today--I kept expecting see the little Kippy face.

But onto happier things--back to the Retreat. I came home with lots of goodies. One feature of the Retreat is the swap lounge where our unwanted yarns find new homes. I went with an huge bagful and came home with just a tny bagful! YAY, me! Plus, there's a vendor market on Saturday. And in our goody bags, there's always a skein or two or three.



The yarns that followed me home:



The five balls of red yarn are Karabella Aurora bulky. This is from the swap lounge. What a great shade of red! I think it's asking to be a hat.

The teal yarn in the top center of the photo is Skacel merino lace. Also from the stash lounge.

The light blue yarn and the teal yarn on the lower right were in the goody bags. The light blue is Valley Yarns Deerfield and the teal is Berroco Pure Merino DK.

That yummy green--Sundara worsted merino in mint julep. In the goody bag. Yes, we all swooned when we saw the Sundara!

And that skein of gray with a hint of purple? I showed amazing restraint--that's the only yarn I bought! Briar Rose-- Sea Pearl 1002.

OK, so that's not really all. There's also the order I've placed with Briar Rose. But that's a story for another time.

Gawking

No need to go to the Clark or MASS MoCA to see beautiful, thought-provoking art objects this past weekend.

Weekend in Williamstown

Too tired to think of words to describe the Knitters Review 2009. I'm letting the photos do the talking:

Pre-Retreat

I'm in Williamstown, all set for the Knitters Review Retreat--BUT--first I spent the day with an old college friend who lives nearby. Had a very tasty lunch and then drove around looking at the sights and scenery.



It all looks kind of dreary and gray -- but, even dreary and gray, it's a pretty area.

We then stopped into her Mom's house and saw this sweetest crocheted afghan.



What I didn't get a photo of was the aprons her Mom was sewing.

Then back to the hotel where the Retreat gang is gathering.

Pretty Sight

Is there no prettier sight than a cat and a shawl sunning themselves?



The Revontuli Shawl is going to the Knitters Review Retreat and needed a bath and a blocking. Miss Kippy, as usual, supervised the blocking.

See ya in Williamstown, MA!