The Retreat in Hickory---late report

Shelley and I wind Kate's sticky yarn.

This is what I wrote after I arrived at the Catholic Conference Center near Hickory--
I'm always glad to travel Hiway 321 because the roadside is so clean--no billboards. The grass isn't very green and the trees are stark naked. Even so, the absence of civilization (except for the big asphalt ribbons of road and the occasional truck) is a nice mental break.

At that point, Lynda M showed up and put me to work. And it started . . .

Sallie, Linda, Heather

The "campers" were all interesting folk with great stories to share. Meal times were lively. As camp food goes, it was better than some I've been to. My fish on Friday night had been baked with lemon and capers and was good. Breakfast provided lots of choices and I didn't have to eat that biscuit---which was so go-o-o-d.

Rachel, Pat, Kate

Charlene Schurch is an excellent instructor. Her visual aids were really excellent. She pitched the class so taht all levels learned. We got to see the socks from her two great books. I loved that she confessed most of them have no mate.

Meg, Lynda, Dinah

When I first started designing, I wore my pieces. Then I realized I needed to be able to show them, so now they go into a drawer. It hadn't occurred to me to knit just one. Hm-m-m-m.

Charlene's Frost Flower lace shawl was my favorite. This picture doesn't capture the vivid color, but you can clearly see the pattern.

Jet, Karen, Elizabeth

I thought the weekend was a blast. The location was truly a retreat from a busy life; class and yarn shopping was fun, but best of all, was the two night slumber party.

Shelley who loves to have her picture taken

FO-OTN-Miss Babs-Jeans

First, thanks for the awesome suggestions for my Greek list. It will be so much better than it was.


The Melon shawl--Steve named it after the small watermelons we see early in May before real watermelon season--is complete except for embellishing. I was very far into it before I discovered this particular technique for handling the sneeziness I was battling with the mohair. I had a Kleenex trapped under my glasses to mask my lower face. Now that really looked ridiculous, and it didn't work all that well. Then I remembered the masks I use for dyeing. Better. A really good idea is a soft surgical mask. Now to figure out how to wear it---without the mask. Final pic later.

Next project?
Remi purchased some wonderful new summer yarns. I'm using this neat cotton--Katia Bombay--fingering wt--100g=251 yds--$14.00. Long color repeats. This little lace pic is nice on a size 4 needle. So far this is a pullover. Other decisions as necessary. Probably a slightly dropped empire line. Definitely short sleeves. I just think it will look great with the white pants and white shirts I wear all summer. Maybe this will stop people coming up and asking for medical advice. Do I look like a nurse??? Well . . . .


Monday I drove up to Hickory to the Catholic Conference Center where the Charlotte Knitting Guild is hosting a retreat this weekend. The famous Miss Babs of hand dye fame (redundant) is providing a trunk show for the group and I showed up to help arrange storage for the yarn until we get there and buy it all. She is so sweet and brought such good stuff.

I started to take pictures as Jennifer unloaded, but then I decided to wait so as not to frustrate this weekend's participants. Also didn't want anyone to see the yarn I have already put back for me --hee--hee. Check out her website if you haven't seen her stuff. She also brought us gifts--no hints.

Finally, those great (2 size smaller) jeans I am wearing in the picture with Miss Babs are brand new and so cool. They were featured on Oprah and the salesclerk at Dillards insisted I try them on. Smart woman. Ask for Wade. Anyway, they come with a disclaimer and I share it with you. This is a label from inside the jeans.