HOME AT LAST

It was quite a week.  I left on Friday for Seattle, a little nervous but very excited.  I met three perfectly good strangers at the airport and we all shared a ride to Port Ludlow.  Three of us knitted the whole way.  (Can you guess which of us did not - I hope you guessed the driver, which for once was not me!)

One women was a scientist and mother from Indiana.  The other two women were sisters, one from San Francisco and the other from New Jersey.  We got pretty friendly very quickly but then...why not?  We are knitters!

We took a ferry across the inlet which was a lot of fun.  I have not been a ferry for a VERY LONG time.  We got out of the car and went above to see the journey.  We saw Orca's, at least five.  It was wonderful.  You gotta love a ferry ride.  We arrived at the hotel around 4:30 and got freshened up for dinner.

The hotel room was so nice.  A king size bed, fireplace and a huge soaking jacuzzi with windows that opened on to the hotel room.  It also had robes to wear after your bath/shower.  I did find a small tv but never turned it on.  No need, really we were so busy who had time for tv?!

The weekend festivities started with dinner on Friday and just kept on going.  We were busy from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm or later every day with a short breather before dinner each evening.  The inn was delightful, the scenery gorgeous.  I hope to post some photos. 

The weather was cool but dry.  I asked all the natives how they get even the weathermen to lie about the weather since rain was predicted for the whole weekend but it never rained until the day we left. Very tricky, these Seattleites!

Turns out I actually like dying yarn.  I have no talent for it but it sure is fun.  We learned a lot about how the different types of yarns take the yarn. We each got to dye six skeins of yarn, one if which was silk and another was the same as the yarn they use for socks that rock.

Stephanie's class was great.  We learned about the history of yarn in the morning, learned what books we should have in our library (including an out of print one that would cost over $600 IF we could even find it!).  In the afternoon, after learning that we all stank as knitters, we learned lever knitting.  Very interesting method.  We were told to practise every day for at least 28 days and the we would be much more comfortable with it.  We shall see but so far I have not practised it.

Sunday night was show and tell which was amazing.  Some people are VERY overachievers.  Some of their "Firsts" were amazing.  Most had great stories to go along with it.  Much laughter was had.  It was very sad when the evening was over.  Everyone had such a fabulous time and Tina and Steph were very happy with our critiques of the weekend.  They also said that there will be another sock summit in 2011, in Portland. 

They have sock camps at Port Ludlow in April.  They are five days long.  Mel and I may go to one.  We will assess it later.

I do not know where my brain was when I packed but I forgot to pack any long sleeve shirts.  Thank goodness I packed the November shawl.  It was the only thing to keep me warm!  I even needed it the following week in Orlando because the hotel kept the temperature at sub zero!

It's good to be home and with family this week but it sure was fun in Port Ludlow!