The truest definition of a well designed pattern is that you enjoyed knitting it so much the first time, you immediately cast on another and that is exactly what I did with Knot Again, designed by Rachel Illsley.
This is the perfect top for sweltering VA summer and fall. Because of the lacework, it has built-in A/C.
As mentioned in my previous post, I finished knitting this while Amber and I were at the Squam Retreat in Holderness, NH in September 2024.
I used less than 2 hanks of Urban Girl Virginia Fingering yarn in the Madame Whistledown colorway.
I used US size 5, 32" circular needles for the body (a size smaller than the pattern calls for) and US size 2, 40" circulars for the hem, collar and sleeve edges.
I wanted to knit the next bigger size just to see how big the difference would be.
Amber and I will never stop laughing about how we were tricked into attending this retreat. We had no fucking clue what we were getting into but at least we had each other.
It's started out pretty dope though. I picked Amber up in BK and even enjoyed a little alone time knitting outdoors in her cute neighborhood.
Our first stop was a tour of the mill at Harrisville Designs.
Even though I am actually allergic to most mammal dander, I took extra allergy pills and enjoyed being totally surrounded by mountains of colorful processed and unprocessed wool.
I've worked in many factories and I really exploring them.
I love the music of machinery.
I love vintage manufacturing machinery that continues to kick out the jams.
It's very important to consider where your yarn comes from and how it is made.
When you learn more about the entire process and how it evolves, it makes what you make with your yarn even that much more remarkable.
...and then even little things like steaming schedules start to excite you.
Love these old tins.
The mill is located in a charming New England village and definitely worth checking out if you're up in NH.
They have a cute shop as well!
Great space with a pleasant vibe!
The Spincycle selection was on point.
I love how this display still allows light to flow through the gaps in the honeycomb.
I don't know. Maybe I've spent too much time living in cities so perhaps my expectations of what a retreat should be are skewed but to me, it should mean, resting and relaxing as much possible, i.e. not having to walk miles and miles everyday and also privacy. You pay thousands of dollars to stay there so you can stay with whom you want and not be bothered.
Little did we know that we would literally have to hike back and forth 3x/day just to eat our meals in the cafeteria that was like half a mile from our cabin and that we didn't have a cabin all to ourselves but instead had to share it with 4 other complete strangers.
The ladies we stayed with were fine. In fact, one of them, Cynthia, coincidentally works at Atelier in Marin and is friends with Amanda. Still, that was not what Amber and I expected AT ALL and if I had known that in advance I would never have attended the retreat in the first place.
The food was buffet style and it was OK but there was a lot of repetition.
The view from my cabin window was breathtaking but the constant call of the loons was a little tedious at times. Again, maybe I've just spent too much time in cities and I can't relax in nature although I don't really believe that is true.
I bought some nice souvenirs at HD tho.
This selfie is Amber and I right after we checked in and you can already see the look of "WTF" growing behind our eyes.
Everyday there were certain tables that were reserved for other groups that you couldn't sit at which was also annoying.
We took a few random classes, mainly just because I think we had no choice.
I didn't learn anything new but it was amusing to see Amber being forced to swatch.
One of the funniest revelations I made was that I thought the Ritual Dyes Sprite I brought with me was a greyish-black at home but then when I got to NH, I realized it's actually dark green!
While we were at the retreat, I was also furiously trying to finish a test knit/crochet cardigan for Kim Dyes Yarn any time I had down time.
In the rare moments when we actually had time to just sit, knit and chill, it was lovely.
Evenings knitting in front of the fire were interesting. Colonial furniture is cute but it sure isn't comfortable.
Coming from hot-ass VA, I was really relieved that at least the weather wasn't too unbearable.
Finishing my 2nd Knot Again top and weaving the ends in while I was in NH was quite rewarding.
Looking back at these photos makes me want to knit another!
The last class we took was about marling and color play.
We knit and steam blocked a variety of swatches.
We used free samples yarn from Purl Soho.
It was fun to play with someone else's yarn.
When we started mixing different textures, weights and fibers, it reminded me a lot of Laerkbagger's aesthetic.
I would return to Squam only if Amber and I could have our own cabin alone together. Sometimes you just gotta try something to find out that it isn't for you. Many things look way better on paper than they end up being in reality. People are like that too.
I have attended so many events, met so many fiber artists and people in general who've turned out to be not the image they try to project online. It's sad. If you're fake, you might be able to fool others for a time but eventually you'll be found out. Just be yourself. Don't advertise what you can't follow through on. Life is too short to play games, especially when money is involved.
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