I spent this weekend at the Knitting Pipeline Spring Retreat hosted by Paula of the Knitting Pipeline Podcast. Paula’s podcast is such a joy to listen too, I originally found her through The Knitgirllls. The Podcasts is very well produced, informative, educational, more than knitting and it will simply add value to your day. I encourage you to listen you will love it!
The retreat began at 2pm on Friday but if you arrived early on Thursday you could participate in a local yarn crawl. I took off only day on Friday and we headed down to Washington Illinois. Its about 2.5 hours from where I live. We arrived at the Cornerstorne Inn Bed and Breakfast around 1pm.
Song of Psalms Room Number 6
How beautiful is this quilt!
The Jacuzzi tub….no words.
Fun decor that matched the theme, a guest book and a note pad.
The Room was large, charming and full of scripture.
James stayed in the room and I headed off to the retreat. The B and B is 1.5 miles from Crossroads United Methodist Church which was the venue for the retreat. Its a beautiful place a worship and was great for the retreat.
You received your goody bag and button upon checking in. This bag is H-U-G-E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your pin had your name and your Ravelry name. The bag was canvas, with an outside pocket and an inside zipper pocket.
Inside the bag was Quince and Co. Yarn! I have never knit with Quince but now I have a chance.
Finch(fingering) in the Aleucian Colorway
Since I was by myself I wasn’t quite sure where to sit, let me just say I am not shy so I wasn’t nervous I just wasn’t sure of the process. Paula said I could sit with here but she probably won’t be there much, it was sweet of her. I walked a little further and I heard are you looking for a seat? Ah..knitters are comforting so I sat with Marie. Then others came and we discovered its it was everyone’s first time at the retreat.
We later had two more ladies join us, Carol and Nancy and we were all set. Nancy who was also vending even brought here antique wheel.
As everyone was getting settled I was looking around for faces I know from podcasts and ravelry names. I saw Sarah for Inasknit, Amy Beth from the Fat Squirrel Speaks, Jennifer of Daizie Knits, Jennifer of Sun Valley Fibers and I chatted quit a bit too. It was nice to see Sarah and Bronwyn(best laugh ever) who are on the show with Paula at times. Oh Paula’s mom was sooooo cute I just wanted to take her home!! Bob..yay we got to meet Bob which was cool…it was good see the other half of Paula. If you are a podcast listener you , at least for me, tend to feel apart of their audience…its like being apart of the show so it was cool to see them, watch their knitting style and interaction as they were all sweet and just like me…..in wool and fiber heaven!
I spent the time looking around to see everyone’s wears, works in progress, needles, bags…everything. Nice to be surrounded by things you love.
The retreat agenda listed several breakout sessions so I decided to take Felted Mittens facilitated by Christine, GrnIdgrl on ravelry.
What a fun class! I am totally making these mitts I am printing off the pattern TODAY. Christine was very welcoming, thorough and had killer sheep earrings on:).
After the session we were knitting and chatting…kitting and chatting…oh knitting and chatting…ah…so nice.
I also visited one of the rooms as …..had a truck show. This is what caught my eye. Are you a reflection of Christ with a mirror inside. Great reminder!
It was time for dinner. THE STAFF OF VOLUNTEERS WERE WONDERFUL I just wanted to give back they were so loving. It so nice to see the body of Christ serve. Many thanks to the kitchen crew they were organized, professional and the food was Amazing.
cheeseburger soup! Need I saw more. Delish! After dinner the local shop, set up a booth and I purchased a few goodies.
Wonderland Yarns Mad Hatter sport weight 430 Yarns Colorway Dark Rainbow Pt.2
I have been wanted a gradient set for some time. Score
You can’t leave a hedgehog behind can you.
A few tools…..I love the bent tapestry needles from Knit picks. They do make it so much easier to weave in your ends. I also picked up some conductive thread for mittens too.
After that little teaser treat we were entertained by Knitter, designer and Belly dance Libby.
It was fun to watch and unexpected. We knit more…and chatted….and I decided to head on back to the B and B.
My eyes were acting up throughout the day as I am still trying to master my dry eye routine so I brought my humidifier, gel, drops and called it a night.
More adventure tomorrow!
Emonie
Hopkins Studio 
Ah, lots of yarny fun. 🙂
Its was a blast!