Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I head to San Juan Island, Washington, for Cat Bordhi’s week-long Visionary Retreat (unfortunately, Cat has other travel plans so she won’t join us this year). This intensive retreat is for people in the craft industry to get together and share knowledge and resources to help one another publish their work.
For the next week, I’ll partake in intense discussions about the knitting industry, review book ideas, offer advice to potential authors, seek input on my projects, and rub elbows with some of the most influential and innovative people in the knitting world. If last year is any indication, I’ll come away exhausted but invigorated with new ideas and renewed energy.
I don’t know how much time I’ll have to knit (meetings often continue into the evening hours), but I plan to work on a shawl that I started with yarn I received at last year’s retreat. One of the many perks of the retreat is that yarn companies donate yarn in the hopes that it will find its way into a visionary publication. Last year, I walked away with a hefty skein of Marine Silk Lace from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. It’s 868 yards of a luscious blend of 51% silk, 29% merino, and 20% sea cell rayon with heavenly sheen and glorious drape. I promptly wound the yarn into a ball and started a reversible scarf. But I soon put it down when other deadlines arose. It’s been quietly nagging me every since. I think it’s fitting that I should finish it at the retreat this year. At least I’ll be able to knit on the plane and ferry.
Have lots of fun!
That sounds like an amazing week. I was just looking at some “old” knitting magazines from 1998/99 and it’s amazing how much the knitting world has changed since then – no ravelry for one thing! Knitting still seemed geared toward grandmothers and the patterns/ads were quite staid. It’s amazing how cool it’s become – the magazines are great but there is a certain energy from all the knitting blogs that has changed how I think about knitting!
All wishes for safe travels, great weather on San Juan and an even greater good time! Luv the look of your scarf.