“Knit what you wear and wear what you knit”

For anyone who has heard Sally Melville speak or teach even once has heard her say this. Yet even having read Sally’s books and blog posts, this phrase really hit me during the first ever Knit ‘n Needle/Polkadotsheep.com knitting retreat the last weekend of August. I will be sharing more of my thoughts on Sally and her knitting philosophy as time goes on. But in the meantime, I want to share some of the fun with you in pictures.

Friday night at the shoppe, Sally talks about “Why We Knit”

After Sally gave us the “short version” of her fabulous talk, Why We Knit, she signed stacks of her books for customers. It was a lot of fun to have that many people in our little shoppe. What I discovered over the course of the weekend is Sally’s ability to connect with people and encourage them in their knitting. As someone who talks about knitting a lot, watching her has challenged how I talk about knitting.

Sally signing books for new friends and long time customers.

This picture embodies Sally’s attitude when listening to knitters and others.

Bright and early Saturday morning, Sally began teaching on the steps we take when embarking on a new project.  Saturday afternoon session was very interesting as we were all challenged in our knitting of garments that we will actually wear. Not garments that are pretty or technically challenging, but sweaters (or anything else) that we will actually wear.

Sally teaching on Saturday. Notice the fabulous Best of Both Tunic she has on, awesome pattern available in the shoppe or on Ravelry.

Cynde enjoys her door prize. We had tons of prizes compliments of our fabulous vendors.

Shopping and Prizes…Life is Good!

Everyone needs a Yarn Bowl and Addi Clicks set and yarn and….

Sunday’s class, Essential Skills for the Self Taught Knitter, was the class I was most excited about. I know that might sound a little strange coming from someone who writes about knitting, but I have some problem areas in my skills that I wanted to improve.  Top on my list was a good way to reliably and neatly pick up stitches.

Sally teaching Sunday’s class, Essential Skills for the Self Taught Knitter.

Sally helping Janet, a wonderful local customer.

And here it is…Sally talking about picking up stitches alone a curved edge made using bound off stitches in a stepwise  fashion. I did it. It worked beautifully, I was thrilled.

Sally talks about picking up stitches along a neck line.

This retreat was a long time in the making. Without the persistence of Aimee, owner of the Knit ‘n Needle Yarn Shoppe and Polkadotsheep.com, it would not have happened.

Aimee and Sally

Of course there are always many hands that help with events like this but here are a few of the extra special ones, Rob – Aimee’s fabulous supportive husband, Hap – host extraordinary, Denyel who first handed the shoppe’s card to Sally at TNNA a few years ago, Helen, Kendra, Catlin and Heather – all the Knit ‘n Needle Yarn Shoppe employees, Jamie who helped with all the little extra preparations and my husband for enduring a slightly crazed wife during a rather stressful week.

Most of all, Thank you so much Sally! I personally learned so much and I know everyone else did too.

And yes, Sally really did wear that many sweaters over the weekend (plus she had many more). Notice she follows her own philosophy, she does have two different Center Panel Sweater on in the pictures. To make your own, see Sally’s book, Warm Knits, Cool Gifts.

~Angela M.