Worth Waking Up For

Tomorrow morning, oh so bright and early, I will be flying off to Salt Lake City, where I will meet up with my friend Greg and we will head over the Wasatch Mountains to SOAR (the Spin Off Autumn Retreat)! I am very excited--after this stressfull period in my life, I am truly grateful to have this vacation, and I've wanted to go to SOAR for years, long before I learned to spin. This year, SOAR is being held in Park City, Utah. I was last there in 1973 (I was studying Arabic at the University of Utah that summer), so I expect things have changed a bit--I hope the spectatular scenery I remember is still there. I also hope to meet Margene there--are any other bloggers or readers going to be there? It's a tad late to ask this question, I know, because the workshops began on Monday--but those of us attending the retreat sessions only won't head out until tomorrow.

I love taking workshops, and the possibilities at the retreat session are mouthwatering. The retreat session consists of 4 3-hour classes--you get to choose from a menu of about 12. We sign up for them when we get there--I don't know how they decide which class you get into, but I wouldn't be disappointed to take any of them.

Thinking of workshops, Madrona Fiber Arts has posted their class list for the February retreat in Tacoma, Washington. I've gone to this many times and can recommend it heartily! One nice touch is that they offer beginning knitting classes as well as intermediate and challenging ones--and spinning, too. Check it out!

In the meantime, I've been knitting hats for Dulaan. Here's a double-layered hat, with a quadruple layer over the ears, roughly based on the cover hat on the recent issue of Spin Off:

I'm also knitting a double-thick hat with earflaps--when I get back from SOAR I'll write up the patterns I've been developing.

Gingko's visit last weekend was a joy. And even nicer--she asked me to knit her a hat and some socks! What mother could resist such a request?

Comments

[Nancy J]

Have a wonderful time! And all the excellent knitting and learning and kibbutzzing and eating! Photos, I hope! And how wonderful Gingko asked for something special!

[JoVE]

I think we are now even. I'm happy and envious, too. And don't you love it when your kids like having hand knit stuff?

[margene]

If I don't see you Thursday then look for me on Friday night at the book signing. It will be great to meet you!

[vanessa]

have a wonderful time at soar! can't wait to see what you whip up for ginko :-)

[Cathy]

Ohhh...I hope you will be at the booksigning Friday and meet Sara and Anne as well as Margene and whoever else will be there. I can't tell you how much I wished I was going to be there when I found out you were too! Looking forward to hearing ALL about it. :-)

[Karen]

Hope your time at SOAR is both restful and re-invigorating! Are you going to the Madrona Fiber Arts retreat in '06?

[Anne]

Helllooooo!!! Lovely to have met you and your gorgeous sweater in person. Hope you had a safe trip back home after SOAR. :)