Our October meeting was a silent auction, which means people brought yarn, patterns, needles, and related things they wanted to sell or just get out of their stashes. First we set up everything on tables downstairs, with a bid sheet for each item. There was also a free table of patterns and yarn that people brought to give away.

Then the fun began: we prowled around all the tables, writing our names and bids on the sheets next to our favorite items, hoping that nobody else would outbid us. Several items did go for more than the requested minimum amount, but most sold at bargain prices.

Besides the auction items, one member brought several completed sweaters and fabric bags to sell–including a lovely Alice Starmore fair isle cardigan in soft colors. My auction sales included a set of Lantern Moon straight needles, a small Longaberger basket, and a bag of yarn left over from finished projects.

It was an interesting event and I’m told it happens every fall, so I’ll be searching my stash for more goodies to bring to the silent auction next year.

As a fairly new member of the guild, I signed up for the knitting retreat partly so I could meet more people–and it was the perfect way to do that. I was also interested in the teacher, J.C. Briar, because I had not taken any classes from her before. I discovered that she is a very organized and knowledgeable teacher.retreat4

In just two days, we learned how to make a top-down sleeve by picking up stitches around the edges of the armhole; different types of cable patterns; and a bunch of ways to cast on. J.C. gave us patterns for a baby sweater and a bag, so we can use our class samples in real projects.sl_retreat1

The retreat center was easy to get to, clean, and comfortable. All our meals were included and people also brought snacks to share. In the evenings after dinner, everyone sat together to knit and chat. I already knew that this was a friendly guild, and my experience at the retreat confirmed that. When can I sign up for the next one?marinas_yellow_cabled_bag

JC Briar is a self-avowed chart fanatic and technique freak, designer, author of  Charts Made Simple, developer of a new visual charting method she calls Stitch Maps, and a fabulous teacher.

sl_retreat3   retreat1   Retreat