A couple week ago I had the very good fortune to join 120 other knitters in Canandaigua, New York, for the twelfth-annual Knitter’s Review Retreat, hosted by the most lovely Clara Parkes. This was my fifth year. In the past, I’ve attended as an instructor but this year I treated myself to full experience and attended, as Clara put it, “as a civilian and loving every minute of it.”
I’ve been to a lot of retreats, gatherings, etc., but this one stands out as really special. In addition to two classes (I took Knitting Happily Ever After with Carson Demers and Knit to Flatter with Amy Herzog), there was ample time to relax and knit with the friends I’ve made over the years, join in riveting discussions about yarn, fit, and ergonomics, shop for yarn, and have all my meals prepared for me.
In a nutshell, here’s what I learned this year:
- I can travel across country and partake in a knitting event without any mishaps, which is quite a relief after the series of “challenges” I faced earlier this fall.
- Three to four days a year of having no responsibilities is a must (I hope my husband reads this).
- I can knit to flatter my body size and shape (thank you Amy Herzog!).
- If I take more breaks while knitting, I can knit longer (thank you Carson Demers!).
- I love to wear my knitted skirt, Putting on the Pleats!
- No matter how fervently I promise myself I will not accumulate any more yarn, I will.
Clockwise from lower left: fingering weight yarn from Hedgehog Fibres for socks or a shawl (a gift from fellow retreater, Minh, who is currently living in the UK), Brooklyn Tweed Shelter for a cardigan, and Spirit Trail Brigantia for, guess what? — another skirt!
Good thing winter has arrived — I’ve got a LOT of knitting to do.