This is just the niche that Laurinda's retreats fill. They're held at Quinn Mountain, a cozy little venue with a couple of B&B rooms and a small building that used to be a wedding chapel. There are usually a dozen or so participants. At each retreat, Laurinda teaches a technique or presents a new design. There are always options, and she's there to help newer crocheters learn new skills.
The latest was the Fall Shawl retreat, and we worked on the Wanderin' and Wonderin' Shawl. This pattern can be worked in 3 sizes - a skinny scarf, a wider scarf, and a shawl. Here's the sample of the shawl that was on display.
The first "treat" at this retreat was the yarn provided as part of the cost of the event which was wound as a...cake! (You knew it had to be.) It's Renai by Fierce Fibers, a 100% merino single in fingering weight. I can't tell you how lovely this yarn is. The colors are just vibrant, and it's so soft. The sample above used the Solar Flare colorway. It's a gradient shading from coppery gold to scarlet. The photo doesn't do that red justice.
There were several colorways to choose some. It was hard to pick, but I went with Fig which shades from bright green to wine. Green and purple. Who'd have thought I'd EVER go with that. It's only my favorite color combination. Here's the beginning of my shawl. It's worked on the bias, and the stitch pattern forms a pretty starburst. You can see that best in the red shawl above which has been blocked. Treat #2 was the yellow bag in the photo. The goodie bag! All fiber events have a goodie bag. This one came stocked with a variety of treasures like fiberwash samples and chocolates. It's also the perfect size bag for a single cake project like this shawl.
I mentioned blocking. Cecillie, one of Laurinda's friends and helpers gave a great blocking demonstration. Blocking is a must for lace stitches to really strut their stuff. The sample she's blocking in the photo is the Nymphaea shawl, and she's wearing the Decadent Bliss shawl. When I wear my version of Decadent Bliss, it never fails to draw compliments from crocheters and knitters and Muggles alike.
There was plenty of time to relax and chat over the weekend, and the best place to do that was in front of the pellet stove in the building where we met. Laurinda even brought several afghans that were samples made for her Reversible Color Crochet book. It would have been easy to wrap up in one of those and take a nap in a comfy chair.
Among the other treats provided were breakfast, lunch and snacks. I don't do a lot of food photos so I didn't think to take any of the yummy muffins, shortbread, and pumpkin pie or the sandwiches, soups and fruit. I did manage to get one of this cake before it was devoured. Believe me, in it's uncut state, it was a beauty and soooo good.
The grounds at Quinn Mountain offer plenty of room to walk off some of that food. There are trails and gardens and even a labyrinth. If you have time for a longer stay, there are lots of hiking trails in the surrounding national forest.
It's also fun to spend some time in the cute little town of Camas, WA. There you'll find lots of restaurants, small shops, and the historic Camas Hotel which is one of the other lodging options. Don't miss Navidi's Olive Oils and Vinegars. I picked up some blackberry flavored balsamic vinegar that makes salads so much more fun to eat.
The next retreat is the Spring Wonder retreat scheduled for April 13-15, 2018 when Laurinda will be teaching how to crochet rugs with strips of fabric and other materials and, get this, how to add electrical elements to your crochet projects. Can't wait to see that's all about!
Thanks for stopping buy!
