Dear Kay,
I was doing great this past weekend, at the Knitting Getaway at Shakerag Workshops on the campus of St. Andrews-Sewanee School in rural Tennessee. I mean, I was keeping it together and aiming for chipper ’n’ cheerful, knowing that I’m pretty much of a sap and we’ve waited two years for this thing to happen.
It was a group of 100% vaccinated knitters who were basically high on being away from home.
High on pom pom fumes. (All because of Vilasinee Bunnag starting a frenzy.)
Shirts made in a day.
(Sonya Philip taught us how.)
Claire Reishman’s Singer Featherweight got a workout.
Newly discovered rug-hooking skills.
(Christi Teasley explained it all for us.)
And sequences and marls discovered, thanks to Cecelia Campochiaro, shown here with MVP Nell Ziroli.
It was all going great until Saturday lunch when I was watching the parade of people coming and going, and I saw a woman standing in front of the cups.
Photo by Nell Ziroli
She stood there probably a minute or so, far longer than it typically takes to grab a glass from a buffet line. The cups at Shakerag Workshops are all pottery, all made by hand, each one unique.
Picking your cup is a little moment.
That’s when I lost it.
We’re a long way from saying farewell to the pandemic that has cursed us, but we can revel in those moments where we stop to choose something beautiful. It’s something we can do every day.
As for the Knitting Getaway, it was a weekend full of reunions and new friends, rain and fog and cool and heat, and the opportunity to do something or nothing at all.
My fervent hope is that we can do it all again, sooner rather than later.
Love,
Ann
Wish I was there! So glad this happened, it gives me hope.
Wow! It makes me teary and I wasn’t even there! But my burning question is: how do you make a pom with a heart in it?!?!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Enotionally moved reading and “examining” the photos … the smiles on participants says it all❣️
So appreciative to give and receive hugs and kisses once again … next step, knitting when this shoulder injury heals❣️
I am always amazed to see recent pictures taken in the USA, indoors, people with no masks… Is the pandemic completely over in the US? 14,000 new cases, 134 daily deaths.
All these people are vaccinated, according to the article. It does make a difference.
The text mentions that 100% of attendees at the retreat had been vaccinated, so masks are not needed. I happen to live in a state where 80% have been vaccinated, so masks are now required only in particular situations, such as on public transportation and in health care settings.
Everyone there had to show proof of being fully vaccinated. We hugged each other like it was 2019!
Like Ann said, we’re a long way from the pandemic being over in the US. But this was a fully vaccinated group. May there be many more safe gatherings like this ahead for knitters worldwide.
Next year in Sewanee…
Thanks for a fun weekend! I’m newly inspired to dig in not my stash and knit some new things. The proof of vaccination element was very appreciated and reminded me how much I miss being around human smiles.
This was a weekend I waited 2 long years for – and enjoyed every stinking minute of it. From the food to the classes to the long-awaited hugs – every bit was perfect and I was so so sad to have to leave but so grateful for the respite. You and Kay (and Claire) deserve wings.
Words are limited to express how much this weekend meant to me but the smile on my face (here in my new blue shirt) says it all. I think I have sore face muscles now. Thank you for a wonderful opportunity and to Claire and her team for a safe and special experience.
It was a complete joy.
I’m so glad it was a rip-roaring success! I’m sooooo looking forward to knitting retreats again. Thanks for getting this ball rolling!
It was wonderful to see snippets of this event show up in my IG feed over the weekend. So great to see you all… so many happy smiling faces!!!
Ahhhhh…..the happiness of knitters together! I can feel the joy!
Looks like a slice of heaven right there.
That mug paragraph left me in tears. We are stronger in some ways due to this pandemic and also softer. I think “humbled” is a good word. Thanks, Ann, for sharing these happy moments with us.