A Whole Amazing Day of Knitting

"So, you're going to knit all day?" my husband asked me, clearly puzzled.
"Yep."
"Just knit?"
"Yep."
"I don't get that at all," he concluded.

That was the conversation we had yesterday morning as I headed out to a full day of the Sun Valley January Thaw Retreat. There were classes, but I really just wanted to knit and talk without any kind of schedule to follow. And it was awesome.

As promised, here is the wall of yarn:

 Jeanette's colors are amazing. We all spent a lot of time petting the yarn. As you can see, she actually sold out of some colors.

On Friday night, there were door prizes. For everyone. "That's the way I roll," quipped Jeanette. I was one of the luckiest because I won this:

 For the uninitiated, this is a Yarn Buddy. As Jeannette and husband George say on their website, it's a lazy susan for your caked yarn. It is perfect timing for me because I used a ball winder for the first time at the retreat and now I'm a believer. I have a swift but I've been making yarn balls by hand. Not only are yarn cakes nicer to use, they also wind up SO much faster. I'm ordering one today. Frankly, I've been an idiot for not getting one years ago!

I was reminded of the power of samples. Jeannette had this out on a table.

It's Wendy Johnson's Leftovers Cowl. I've had my eye on this project for a long time. And I was clearly not the only one who was entranced by Jeannette's version. Jeannette thoughtfully offered a bin of mini-skeins that are perfect for this project. And they were a big hit. A number of people bought 30 mini-skeins and cast on right then and there. I picked up a few mini-skeins to mix in with my leftover sock yarn. However, I'm not going to cast on until I finish the Favourite Things Cowl, which is similar but in worsted weight.



I had planned to interview Jeannette, but she was busy every minute. I hope that means she had a profitable weekend because she sure planned a wonderful retreat for the rest of us.

Knitting Heaven Right Here In Wisconsin

By the time I found out about Sun Valley Fibers January Thaw Retreat, it was full. I asked to be put on the wait list, but I had no hope that I'd get in. Who wouldn't want to spend two days surrounded by friendly knitters and some of the smooshiest yarn in the business?

Then, by some miracle, a spot opened up. I could not resist. The retreat is right here in Madison, so I had no travel or hotel expenses! I immediately cast on a hat with Sun Valley Fibers DK.

I requested a personal day so I could attend all day Friday, but my employer denied me. So I rushed over yesterday when I was finished working and dived right in. When you walk in the conference room, you are greeted with a huge wall of yarn. (Pictures coming, I promise.) Sun Valley Fibers is known for their beautiful saturated colors. It's a small, family-run company in rural Mount Horeb, less than an hour from Madison, that makes absolutely devine yarn.

I didn't know anyone but I was immediately welcomed by a group of Madison knitters who adopted me. Really, no group is as nice as knitters. We talked and laughed well into the evening.

There were tons of spinners, too. While I have no interest in spinning, I love to watch it and talk to the spinners. As one told me last night, "You have a more intimate relationship with the yarn when you spin it yourself." I'm sure that's true. Still, as long as there are companies like Sun Valley Fibers, I'll be perfectly happy to buy my yarn!