Couture, Color, and Santa Barbara

Here's what you missed if you weren't on the "Couture and Color" retreat with us in Santa Barbara this past weekend:

3 pair Chiagoo needles (#7, #8, #9)
1 pack of stitch markers (the really thin ones)
1 small bamboo crochet hook (really small, for fixing things)
1 Lantern Moon tape measure (mine was a sheep)
1 pack Chibi tapestry needles
2 patterns
1 copy of "When Bad Things Happen to Good Knitters"
1 skein of Pagewood Farm Willow Creek yarn
1 ball Berroco Comfort DK
1 scarf kit (Fan Neckwarmer and 2 balls of Cashsoft)
Biscotti, Pepperidge Farm fish snacks, chocolate, green tea, a pack of Starbucks Via, and a bottle of water.

...and that was just in the goody bag on the train ride down! Once we got to the Peppertree Inn, we had some socializing and knitting time (and pool-dunking time), then we broke for the evening. Next morning (Saturday), Susan (of Bonita Knitting) talked about some of the things our moms and grandmoms had likely made (granny square afghans anyone?) as their "go-to" patterns, then handed out a booklet containing 7 or 8 new "go to" patterns to replace some of those classic patterns (some might call them 'moldy').

Then Joan McGowan-Michael (of White Lies Designs) gave a workshop on fitting patterns to your own body. (Masking tape and measuring tape were involved; very funny and very informative.) The workshop included her "Shapely Tee" pattern plus the yarn to make it.

Lastly, Erin (of Bobbin's Nest Studio) gave a talk on color theory, using the book "Colorsense" (a copy of which we all got), which is an awesome book. All during the classes, Erin, Susan, and Joan were selling from their traveling stores - and a lot of stuff was selling!

Later in the day, a group went downtown to one of the LYS, Loop and Leaf for an expedition. (I passed on that one. I was curious, but truly - I have enough yarn.) DH and I relaxed by the pool and in the room, then headed across the street for a lovely dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Sunday morning was laid back as the only 'scheduled' thing was open knitting and continental breakfast (and more shopping at the traveling stores) until it was time to take the bus back to the train station. The ride home was uneventful and stressless. Training is a wonderful way to travel.

So, that's what you missed if you weren't on the rails with us this weekend. Maybe you'll join us if there's another one next year, hm?