Tuesday, January 25, 2011

How to have a knitting retreat

I wasn't able to knit at all last week due to an intense work schedule filled with meetings, lunches, a scavenger hunt, and a cocktail party. By Friday night I was desperately in need of a quiet day all to myself in which I wasn't expected to make small talk, wear high heels and make-up, or sit in a room all day listening to strategic goals.

I needed my knitting.

So I scheduled my very own private knitting retreat in order to recover from the busy week and get reacquainted with my needles. It went something like this:

9am: Start the day with a donut with chocolate icing and multicolored sprinkles.

9:15: Fire up the laptop and check out the discussions in my Ravelry group.

9:25: Search Ravelry patterns for a blanket knit with Sprout organic cotton.

9:35: Tell self several times to turn off the computer and start knitting.

9:45: Gape at birds at feeder on patio. Inform the cats they are finches (the birds at the feeder, not the cats).

10:15: Start knitting a Modern Cabled Baby Bib in purple cotton while watching the movie Love Actually.



10:30: Decide that Colin Firth movies are an important part of any knitting retreat.

11:00: Eat second donut with chocolate icing and multicolored sprinkles.

11:15: Set aside baby bib and finish up a neck cozy.


12:30: Have lunch at the taqueria down the street while reveling in the bliss of a whole day dedicated to knitting, knitting-related activities, and donuts.

1:00: Go to LYS and purchase five skeins of Sprout for blanket pattern found earlier on Ravelry.



2:00: Return home and resume knitting baby bib.

2:55: Eat half of a maple bar.

3:00: Blog about knitting.

3:45: Switch over to knitting the neck cozy.

4:00: Eat other half of maple bar.

4:20: Force self to put knitting down and go outside for a walk.

5:00: Pick up Thai food for dinner on the way home from walk.

6:00 to 10:00: Eat dinner, watch multiple reruns of Sex in the City episodes, continue to knit while balancing two cats on lap.

11:00: Eat last donut in box and go to bed.


So there you have it. Knitting. Shopping for yarn. Ravelry. Donuts. Colin Firth. More donuts.

Why can't every day be a knitting retreat day?

20 comments:

Kitty said...

Wow- what a lovely day! I love that part of the knitting day included lots of food. Food is a very important part of any day that is supposed to pamper ones soul. So excited to see how the blanket knits up!

Rachel said...

What more could you want?

I'm still impressed that you managed to save half that maple bar for later.

GerryART said...

Hmmm, guess I'll have to
get access to a couple of movies.
get that box of brownie mix baked.
get MORE yarn.
let me see - a walk???? Hey! there's a new Mexican food restaurant that opened last month. It'll be an uphill walk but downhill alllll the waaaaay home.
Sounds like your Retreat was successful.

Hugs

Tracey ~ Clover said...

That sounds like a very lovely day. How wonderful the world would be if we could do that once a week-every week.
PS: That purple yarn looks fabulous.

Anita said...

Book me for the next retreat!!

Theresa said...

Well, you could sell that retreat! If I am invited, you will have to add LOTS of time to "teach Theresa" how to knit:) Have a blessed day, hope it is a perfect one! HUGS!

Maiden Jane said...

Sounds like a PERFECT day!

I watched North & South last week and loved it! I'm on an Elizabeth Gaskell kick - Cranford, Wives & Daughters and N&S. Love them!

ImplausibleYarn said...

Colin Firth is a lovely man and it sounds like you had a lovely day. I might have to give it a try myself.

Mylyne said...

Watching Colin Firth makes any day special! I'm gonna make sure to plan a knitting retreat for myself soon. :)

Anonymous said...

I knit to Love Actually, too!

What a lovely day...

-Tryph

Thimbleanna said...

Wow -- that sounds like the PERFECT knitting retreat. Especially the Colin Firth part -- Good For You!!!

justjenn said...

I'm jealous of your knitting retreat. And the donuts. And the Thai food. All of my favorites!

Suz said...

Well.......I am so happy that you didn't complain too much about your week of interaction....great..I'll bet you looked stunning all gussied up and talking. Small talk is an artform...
i am always stunned at your choice of colors..so beautiful
I also enjoyed your journal of your retreat day...and laughed so hard at your Colin Firth comment..ME TOO!!! and I have been watching Sex and City every chance I get...which drives my husband and mother nuts...WHAT DO SEE IN THAT TRASH? they ask...Idon't know
how can you explain when something connects with you for some very secret reason. So much of that show I hate....but it's the relationships they have that I love...wish I had I guess....They are so different ..Sometimes i see myself in all of them
Sorry ..too much blabbing
lets another Cosmopolitan :)

Caffeine Girl said...

That sounds lovely. I'm with you. I keep telling Farm Boy that working is cutting in to my knitting time.

WildflowerWool said...

That sounds like a wonderfully perfect day!!!

malu2 said...

Te felicito por tu trabajo,saludos.

Susan Gallacher-Turner said...

Ahh...sounds wonderful! I love Colin Firth, too and Love Actually and sweets...BUT...I'd have to be crocheting :)

Jan Quigley said...

Woohoo what a great day!!! Of course any day involving wool & Colin Firth are great days. I've primarily been a quilter the past 20+ years but after discovering all the wonderful knitting & crochet blogs out there I've dragged out my wool collection with fresh eyes. I just need some wool weather. Here in Oz it's mid Summer & over 100 today & the same tomorrow.

*❀* said...

how do i sign up for one of your retreats? sounds so absolutely perfect.
wish i knew we had maple bars here, they sound soooooo good.

totally enjoyed this post :o)

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

sounds like you handled your solo knitting retreat just fine!