a.k.a. How I Spent My Weekend with Internet Strangers (but they were Knitters!)
I have been looking forward to this past weekend since July. And, as expected, it just flew by and now it is all over! The Knitter’s Review Retreat was a fantastic time – and I hope to become a repeat retreated.
On Friday I met up with Theatreknitter at a sweet yarn shop in Lenox, Mass – Colorful Stitches. Great selection of yarns (and buttons and ribbon!) and patterns. I ended up with St.Denis Magazine #2 for the Juneberry Triangle pattern (and Scrollwork Socks as well as Lullaby Blanket). We drove up to the Williams Inn and what a sight – as soon as you walk inside, WHAM! Knitters!! EVERYWHERE. Excellent.
We checked in a we given a beautiful goody bag – the bag itself is awesome, but it also contained yarn (including Socks that Rock!), notecards, patterns, pins, a stitch marker, soak samples and chocolate!
Each meal (and throughout each day) was a feast for the eyes as well as the body – so many gorgeous handknits. These knitters are amazing. After dinner on Friday night Clara gathered us all together to share a project / yarn that you love so much you would marry it if you could. 
Clara is the one on the left in the tiara. 🙂 Like many others there, I could not profess my love for just one yarn, instead I spoke about my Hope & Donald chevron scarf.
On Saturday there were classes offered – I took a “Math for Knitters” class with Ann Budd. Fantastic – I feel much better now about switching up yarns / gauges for sweater possibilities and maybe even trying to make up my own sweater. 
Saturday afternoon we had the chance to shop – gorgeous yarns were everywhere! I got to fondle Quince & Co. yarns – the colors are great and the prices are as well. I was very particular in my shopping – at some point in the future I will buy some from Quince & Co because it really was so great, but I decided on String Theory Caper Lace in a Garnet color (for the Juneberry Triangle!). The colors are stunning and I do wish I could buy all their yarn! We also took a trip over to Storey Publishing – books at 50% off?! Yes please! I added a new-to-me sock book, the 101 Projects for Sock Yarns and a crochet help book to my library. I did finish a project too which was great fun – it needs a bit of blocking / steam – my September Circle.
Before dinner on Saturday, Cat Bordhi chatted with Betsy and I in the stash room (you bring stash you no longer love / need and take something else)! And then she needed a ball winder – we helped! And, OMG – Cat Bordhi used Betsy’s ball winder and swift!! 
Saturday evening brought door prizes! I won a skein of Briar Rose Fibers Dream Weaver 🙂 The weekend was just full of happy surprises like that – I also got quite lucky in my opinion – I found some Malabrigo in the stash room – some Mal Silky in a carrot orange, Mal Chunky which I’ve yet to try and Mal Gruesa. And a bunch of Knit Picks that I wanted to try and some sock leftovers.
Sunday’s morning included “Yarn Church” where we entered into a commitment union with a new project – mine is the Juneberry Triangle. Also on Sunday morning at breakfast – Ann Budd, Pam Allen and Cat Bordhi were at our table. I don’t think I did anything too outrageous to embarrass myself 🙂 Everyone was just wonderful and it was such a great experience. Low key, relaxing, just a whole lot of yarn and knitters and inspiration.
Great report! I have long wondered if I'd have fun at this event (and I went to college at Williams so this is a double draw). It seems like everyone who goes knows each other and I am pretty shy. Good to hear you just jumped in and had a good time. Maybe next year I'll see you there!-aprilshowers@Ravelry
That weekend sounds absolutely divine. As a former New Englander, I really stay in touch with the seasons by reading your blog. Many thanks 🙂