Wednesday, November 12, 2008

We're not diffusing a bomb here....it's only knitting*

It's hard to even know where to begin with this story. I could give you a blow by blow report of every day's events but that really isn't that exciting to anyone but me. I could tell you everything I learned, but again, not that exciting to anyone but me.

So, instead I'll pick my top 10 moments to try to give you a glimpse of the retreat. And don't let the word retreat lull you into believing it was in anyway relaxing. Because it wasn't. It was busy. And exhausting. And mind-expanding. And exhausting. And all in all amazing.

1. The Harlot. By far, the best part of the retreat. I cannot even explain how fabulous she was.


2. The Harlot telling me that she was "obsessed" with my sweater and that it was "wicked awesome". Seriously?


3. Meeting fabulous knitters who have ridiculous things in commonLink with me. Freaky, really.

4. Learning that I know more than I thought, but that I also know so very little.

5. Being in the company of iconic knitters who have shaped the way we knit today from how they have knit historically. A history lesson and knitting lesson all in one.


6. Chatting, laughing and enjoying the company of the goofy Amy R. Singer.

(I'm wearing my Tuscany shawl that was designed by Amy)

7. The Norwegian purl. Go watch the video. It's crazy weird.

8. Being inspired to increase my knitting speed. Watch this lady. She knits about 125 stitches PER minute. That's 2 stitches a second. That is more than 3 times as fast as me. I only dream.

9. The food. I ate waaaaay too much. Pasta, poutine (yes, poutine - try explaining that to the Americans), bread pudding. YUM.

10. Three signed books. A keepsake forever.

I could not have asked for a better time. I feel re-invigorated and re-focused (even though I have about 5 things on the needles right now - the Harlot says this is actually a good thing). It has also reinforced my love of the craft and the community. Ahhhh....knitting with knitters as obsessed as you for 3 days....memorable.

*the Harlot's mantra we kept repeating on Friday as she was kicking our arse with ridiculous techniques.

5 comments:

Sarah said...

Sounds FABULOUS - I am too jealous to write any more, goodbye!

Jocelyn said...

Awesome post! What a weekend, eh? I'm still halfway between stunned silent and completely inspired.

Can't wait to apply everything I learned.

Donna Lee said...

What a wonderful way to spend a weekend. Iconic knitters indeed. I can't imagine wanting those women to see my knitting. I'd be too nervous that they were looking for mistakes even though they are probably the nicest people. Knitters usually are....

Amanda said...

Fantastic. Thank you for sharing it with us. Your post vibrates with good feelings!

Mo said...

It was a fantastic time. I agree - it was both physically and mentally exhausting. But so nice to meet such great people who also share my passion (and no one thought it was weird that I brought knitting to breakfast, lunch, dinner, the bar...). I also thought your sweater was 'wicked awesome'!