Connecting Threads In Life

1/3 Clothes...1/3 Food....1/3 Yarn

Friday late afternoon sun

A 'flocking' of snow in mountains Saturday a.m.

For the past three days, I joined with 15 other women to share experiences, thoughts, and skills while working on our personal projects in knitting, crocheting, quilting, embroidering or scrapbooking.  The variety of colors in the yarn, thread and fabric spread across the large conference center living room was matched by the extraordinary fall colors of the trees and foliage surrounding us in the San Bernadino Mountains.  As a well tended fire in the fireplace gave off its warmth while we worked on our projects, a few hints of cooler weather outside were evident in the occasional sprinkling of snowflakes that drifted by the windows only to melt quickly on the patio outside. 

This was the second year for the “Knitting/Chill Out Retreat”.  The first gathering was a bare handful of us testing out the idea of spending a focused period of time on our favorite craft…working with yarn.  The positive comments we made following our experiment generated interest from others who asked if they could join us next time to work on a project of theirs.   So a ‘next time’ was planned. 

When an individual cares passionately about a craft, they love to not only work on it…but to talk about it and to share their knowledge with tips/techniques on doing it.  You can feel the energy level rise thorough-out the room as everyone begins to arrive and unpack their projects first before heading to their room!!  Introductions are made, wine is poured, and snacks set up….and everyone settles in on Friday.  This year we’ve added two sets of mother/daughter participants along with our coordinator’s sister.   While most are from the South Bay area, we are joined by new friends from Phoenix, San Diego, Thousand Oaks, and Fresno.

Saturday dawns with a ‘Christmas-like’ excitement knowing that you have a whole uninterrupted day to work on projects.  While still in their pajamas, the early risers with cups of fresh coffee beside them are at their craft by 7 a.m.   The night owls will keep the fireplace going as they work on projects till almost midnight.  All through the day, people will shift around and move their work to catch a different view out the windows or have a quiet chat with a new friend.  

  

Those more skilled do not hesitate to help others with a tricky step in a project.  New yarn is pulled out to start a fresh project.  WIP’s (work in process) move closer to completion.  UFO’s (unfinished objects) are resurrected for a final push forward. 

 

Sunday as we prepare for departure

Sunday morning finds the group steadily working away while trying to ignore the fact that the time to re-pack and head towards home is drawing close.  The question of “what about next year” arises.  The conference center schedule is checked.  The same weekend for next year is picked amidst a chorus of “count me in”…The Third Annual Knitting/Chill Out Retreat is set.