Arnhild

I met Arnhild once at Stitches Midwest when I bought her Poncho Kit. I wore it Friday night. Two things happened almost simultaneously. She personally greets everyone when you see her. I held my hand out to introduce myself and she says "no (in her delightful Norwegian accent), I get a hug. At the same time, she is saying to me, you are wearing my poncho, you bought that at Stitches Midwest, no?" I am amazed!

Friday night during dinner, Arnhild lets us know what the weekend will be like. Very easy going, do what you want, bounce from class to class, knit whenever you want enjoy. She personally introduces everyone and makes them stands up. Tells us how long you have been coming to her knitting retreats, where you from and she mentions to the crowd that I am wearing her poncho that I bought at Stitches Midwest.

Arnhild did not teach any classes, but rather was in a clinic where you could take your knitting problems whatever they may be and get help with. She is such a sweet lady, and I love to listen to her speak. She is very open about her life, family and trips to come. She is currently selling her trip to Norway this summer and talked to us on Sunday at dessert break quite in depth of future trips. By the end of the time I spent with her, I am seriously thinking about going on her Knitting Cruise to Norway in two years!

I know I'm going back to her Knitting Retreat next year. It is already on the calendar!

It Was A Beautiful Weekend in Iowa

As long as you did not have to go anywhere! And I didn't! If we were not talking about knitting, we were watching the weather outside. And fortunately for me, I could call my boss on Sunday night and let him know I was snowed in in Iowa and did not feel bad about it.

Unfortunately, there are no pictures of Arnhild's Knitting Camp. Not that I couldn't have took some, but while in Mexico, I got too close to an ocean wave. It slapped up at me, must have hit my little Fugi camera just right and seized it up and now it will not work. I will have to investigate having it repaired or start looking for a new one, but that subject will be put on hold for awhile.

Julie and I made it just in time on Friday night for the start of knitting camp. The weather started in full force after we got there and for the rest of the weekend, whether it was from our hotel room window or from the classroom, we kept tabs on a quite beautiful storm. We all felt we were quite lucky that we had electricity the whole weekend. Some places in Iowa still did not have any yesterday.

Anyway, that will all I will say about the weather. The real purpose of my visit was Arnhild's Knit Camp. Camp is held every year the last weekend in February in Ames, Iowa. It took us a little more than 5 hours going and 5 hours going back. People who attended this year had been new people like me and some who have been going for 11 years. We came from Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. As far as I could tell, no one is turned away.

Cost for me was $335. I paid a $100 deposit last year, and did not have to pay the balance until I was at Camp. I can't believe what all I got for my money. I shared a room with Julie and her sister which brought the cost down a bit. The bed was so fluffy, I had four pillows on my bed and a fantastic comforter that just swallowed me up. The room was really quite nice! Also included, in the weekend, was the classes, my meal on Friday night, continental breakfast on Saturday, lunch on Saturday, Dinner on Saturday, brunch on Sunday, and dessert bar mid Sunday afternoon. I was pleased with what I got for the money.

Tomorrow, Arnhild.

It Was A Beautiful Weekend

I Have Alot To Tell

But, at the moment, I just want to sit in my chair, drink a diet coke and do nothing!

Short version - Julie picked me up on Friday around 12:30. We went off to Ames, Iowa to Arnhild's camp. We stopped at a yarn shop on the way. The weather turned into rain, hail, freezing rain, back to rain.

Friday night, it began to freeze rain. Saturday afternoon, after a morning of freezing rain, it commenced to snow. It was what they were calling a two sided storm in Iowa. It snowed another 10 -12 inches on top of the freezing rain!

We could not get out on Sunday, so we spent another night! It took us over an hour to clean off the car and get the doors to open. I just got home.

I had a great time and Julie and her sister and I have already put it on our calendar for next year.

More info to follow in the days ahead! Suffice it to say, I'm glad to be home and after just a bit of a rest I am going to swatch for a new sweater!

I Have To Go Back To Work

I could get used to this not working. But, then I would not be able to go to Mexico or to Knit Camp or to Arnhild's this weekend.

My friend, Julie is picking me up tomorrow at work around noon tomorrow and we are off to Ames, Iowa.

So technically, I am only working 11 1/2 hours and then I'll be off for the weekend.

Next week, however is going to be one LONNNNNNNGGGG week!

I'm Back!

And no, this is not a flattering picture! But, I was a little tired this last day in Mexico, and really ready to come home!

We had a blast! I've got everything put away this morning. Went through the mail, paid the bills and filed the rest. I still have laundry to do, but the nice thing is none of the laundry needs to be done for the trip to Arnhild's this weekend! So, it will wait until I get back.

I am glad I only took sox with me to knit. I think I knitted only about three rows the whole time I was gone! Now, I'm ready to knit. I think that is what I'll spend the rest of the afternoon doing.

Tomorrow it is back to work!

My Bags Are Packed

I'm ready to go. And boy are the bags packed! I was packing light this year, right! Then why does it seem like I have everything I own, but yet don't? I did however decide on just these sox. Because when given alot of thought, I know that they are doable in a week.


Adios All, see you in a week!

Finally At Gauge

I have knitted this convertible mitten up this far three times. I started with the size called for needle, size 3. Then I went to a four. Then, what no #5s? So I went for the six and that is what it is going to be.

This is just one of the projects that are going with me to Mexico. I figure when we fly back into Chicago in a week, I am going to need the mittens to wear home on the bus. And I am taking my sox, for the same reason. And finally, I am taking a spare. I never do that. But, I feel like tomorrow may bring a lot of knitting in the airport (if all that snow comes our way).

Now, why couldn't it wait until I at least fly out before it starts? Answer me that one!

Do I Look Like A Jewelry Salesperson?
This is the new stuff that I have added to my lia sophia jewelry samples. And yes, it was hard to decide what is going with me to Mexico. It is just about as bad as what knitting/books and shoes to take! One must be ready for all contingencies. After all, it the lia sophia business that allows me to take these trips.

Tomorrow, decisions must be made....well not the shoes or books, or jewelry, I've packed them. Tomorrow, I decide on what knitting will accompany me. If we get the snow they are predicting for us on Monday pm/Tuesday am, I may be sitting in the airport in Peoria knitting.....and bitching about the weather too.

Think good thoughts and that the weather man is once again wrong!!!

What to Take?

The convertible mittens I just started? I am taking them to Mexico to work on because I know I will need to wear them when we fly back in. I am still wondering if the cuff is too small. It fits on my little wrists(one of only two of my body parts that I can say is small). I just keep knitting waiting to see what color comes next. Soon, I'll be at the stockinette portion and then I'll see what the gauge is. I may need to go up to a size four needle.
Or shall I work on these sox that are a past due gift?
Or shall I take sox for me so I can also wear them when I get back into the country? Up until today, they sit at work, as a just in case project.

All other projects are off the table until I get back from Mexico.

This Is Just Too Much

Even if I do like wearing my sweaters!!! All of next week is supposed to be like this. That means another chance to wear my sweaters again!

To NancyJ --Yes, the Icord will be a trial! Thats a whole lotta icord that has to go on this sweater. I am letting it veg their for awhile, cause now I want to start my Russian Prime. I am doing the KAL, so if you get a chance, check it out over at www.russianprime.blogspot.com

Everybody, be warm! I have to go out tonight and I am NOT looking forward to it.