Knitting Retreat 2007
I spent a wonderful weekend with LCK and Blogless Friend B away at a Skein Lane Studio Knitting Retreat featuring a workshop taught by the lovely Chris Bylsma.
The retreat was held at the Marconi Conference Center located off Tomales Bay near Pt. Reyes. The weather was perfect--not too hot, not too cold.
Of course, on the way we made a detour to a yarn store:
Knitterly, in Petaluma. If I had a yarn store, I'd want it to look a lot like this store. I forgot to take photos inside but the shop is a fabulous mix of great yarn & vintage furnishings.
Above is a scary looking building you pass on the way to (very nicely remodeled)Buck Hall where the classes were held. Remember that old MTV show, "Fear"? I think this would be a perfect place for for an episode of that show. While waiting for my turn in the bathroom one night, I read the history of this place printed inside that room info binder thing you always find on the nightstand. After a history of wireless radio communication, in the late 70's this place was occupied by a rehab center turned religious cult called the Synanon. While they were known for amassing a large cache of weapons & requiring women to shave their heads, they also built these units:
Thankfully, have been remodeled into very nice & peaceful accommodations. The residence rooms are surrounded by a lovely natural garden which made a great backdrop for my yarn acquisition:
Two skeins of Bo-Rage Yarn from Black Valley Artisans. Local sheep -yearling curls died in locks, hand spun and & a matching one that was plyed with hand spun silk. Two skeins of 50/50 mohair/merino hand dyed in a light periwinkle color:
At the Saturday night "Show & Tell, the "Seasocks cruise Dork Earflap hats" made an appearance (And yes, wine was involved). At the show there were gorgeous examples of lace shawls, sweaters, cardigans, and socks but so many people came up and asked us where the pattern came from! (Knit Simple magazine, this month)
Look! It's Blogless Friend B. on the right! Can you believe each hat was made from 3 skeins of the same hand dyed yarn yet with such different results in coloring?
Here, LCK demonstrates her model walk while displaying her WIP, the Kerry Cardigan. Work it girlfriend!
In the class we learned how to make a 'plaid' fabric by constructing a teddy bear sized vest. Below is my first ever steek!
Here's LCK cutting hers. We didn't use a sewing machine to secure the steeks but learned a clever crochet technique (see the green yarn?).
My still unfinished vest modeled by Teddy:
Labels: Knitting Retreat
posted by cpurl17 @ 10:00 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
I could just look at that first picture for hours...so relaxing and peaceful! Perfect place for a knitting retreat!
Haven't been to Knitterly yet (except their booth at Stitches), but I've heard great things about it.
Okay, I love love love those hats!! Super cute!! You girls are going to be trouble on that cruise...I just know it!
So glad you had a nice weekend! Sounds like the kitties partied hard too!
I *love* your hat pose! Too funny!!!! You'll be the silliest ones and the smartest ones on the boat (it's that darn damp cold in SE AK).
Beautiful yarn scores!
Now were any lampshades looser than normal? If so, they were definately partying it up.
I love the photo of the water - that looks like such a peaceful place to go.
Great hats!
Steeks - eek. That was brave. I can't imagine what it's like to cut your knitting like that.
Not such a nice homecoming, but maybe the kittys just got overexcited at the thought of your return ;)
Love the earflap hats!! Sounds like a wonderful time . . . well, except for the pool of cat vomit. :(
Great earflap photo! The place looks like it was so peaceful! Glad you all had a good time! :)
Great earflap photo! The place looks like it was so peaceful! Glad you all had a good time! :)
Nice Blog! So glad to have met you all on the retreat:) I'm adding you to my bloglines to stay in touch:)
I heard from Leslie my friend who came to talk to all that you are heading for vacation onthe sea socks cruise. How fun!
wow, what a lucky knitter!! I love love love Tomales Bay!!! Used to live in Oakland for 10 years, and loved loved loved going up there on sunday drives... sigh!
haha. Great post. Glad you had fun on your retreat. The kittehs missed you! :)
oooh, how nice...I love point reyes. Your getaway sounds like so much fun! Plus, now you know where to go if when you want to start your next occult!
Looks like you had a great time.
How fun to stay someplace with an interesting and unusual history.
There is a cool Wikipedia entry on the Synanon.
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