Happy Campers, Full Hearts, and a Friendly Knit Off

I’m back from our fall fiber retreat at Camp Knutson, and while I’m still getting the shop put back together, my mind is already wandering ahead to next year.

Everyone seemed to leave a happy camper, and I hope to see those smiling faces again next year. We spent the weekend creating, learning, visiting, and laughing. By the end of Saturday night, my face actually hurt from smiling so much. That’s a pretty good sign of a weekend well spent!

Planning Is Part of the Fun

I already have next year’s dates, a few thoughts about things to change, and the beginnings of plans taking shape. If you know me, that probably doesn’t surprise you. Planning and being prepared have always been my happy place. I enjoy having time to think things through, gather ideas, and watch all the little pieces come together.

One of my favorite parts is looking for goodies for the gift bags each camper receives. This year, I found blank bags and added my shop logo myself. It was quite a bit of work, but I enjoyed making them, and I thought they turned out very well. There’s something satisfying about adding that personal touch.

Choosing the patterns for the gift bags and the special bundles offered only to campers, that’s where I can get a little stuck in my own head.

I want everyone to love them. I think about different tastes, skill levels, yarn preferences, and what people might actually enjoy making. Then I remind myself—sometimes countless times—that I cannot pick something that will be perfect for every single person. What I can do is put thought and care into the choices, focus on what most campers will enjoy, and make sure they’re getting good value.

This year, one of the bundles paired a hat pattern with the new Torzal yarn. I put the kits together at a discounted price, giving campers a chance to try a yarn that was new to the market at a great bargain. Quite a few enjoyed that, and it’s an idea I may try again.

A Little Time Away Does Us Good

Of course, a retreat is about much more than a good bargain or a bag of yarn.

It’s time with fiber friends. It’s sitting down with a project and letting the rest of the world wait for a little while. Taking a fun class, learning a new skill, or getting caught up in a conversation can help us settle into the moment and set some of our everyday stress aside.

Somehow, all of that recharges our batteries—even when we come home tired, with sore feet and knees! There’s a kind of tired that comes from having a very full, very good weekend.

And Then There Was the Knit Off…

Somewhere along the way, Molly and I found ourselves in a friendly Knit Off.

What is a Knit Off? Good question. We aren’t entirely sure either!

It seemed to begin with a pattern written for fingering-weight yarn and the idea of making it with DK instead. The phrase “just wing it” was being thrown around quite a bit. Before long, we had decided we would both use the same pattern and the same yarn, but in different colors.

I’m excited to see what we each come up with and how different our finished projects turn out. I’ll be sure to keep you posted as the knitting trash talk continues.

And what does knitting trash talk sound like?

Well, it turns out we aren’t very good at it. We start out trying to give each other a hard time, and before we know it, we’re offering compliments and helping each other figure things out. It must have been hilarious to listen to. All I know is that there was an awful lot of laughing!

Bringing a Little of Camp Home

I felt so blessed to spend the weekend with such a wonderful, talented group of ladies. I enjoyed the conversations, seeing what everyone was working on, and having time together around something we all love.

Now it’s back to putting things where they belong and getting the shop into shape, while next year’s plans keep turning over in my head.

I’ll be sharing photos on Facebook once I’ve had a chance to go through them. I’m also looking forward to seeing projects made with the gift-bag yarn and those finished loon headbands from class. Please share yours as you finish—I would love to see them!

Thank you to everyone who spent the weekend with us. You brought the creativity, kindness, and laughter that made it so special.

I’m already looking forward to doing it again.

Happy stitching,
Betty Jo