Our weekend with Olive Knits

Whew! Are we lucky or what? 

I had the good fortune to spend several days with Marie Greene of Olive Knits a week back, and boy do we have a good time! 

We kicked off Marie's visit with a book launch party celebrating her new book, Seamless Sweaters in 2 Weeks. Marie brought aaaallllllll the sweaters from the book for us to drool over. I immediately picked out three must-knits (and I mean, I'll start them now). (I actually mean I just finished one yesterday.)

Marie graciously spent the evening chatting it up with our great customers and signing their books. (Signed copies of Marie's book are available in-store or online at Waucoma Books.) I have to give a huge thank-you to Ingrid (#saturdayshopgirl), who snapped most of these pics! 

Sisters Sara and Amy (travelling from Boise and CA, respectively), showed up with the GENIUS idea of having their books spiral bound for easy pattern reading. 

After the book signing, we packed up and headed out to Dufur, OR for our annual Spring retreat, Knit Away From It All. We spend three days doing just about nothing, except knitting, snacking, and chatting. (We had a few adventurous knitters who got in some cross-country skiing.)

One of my favorite parts of the retreat is planning out the swag - I love giving my knitters gifts as much as Oprah loves giving her audience gifts. Swag this year included a mini-skein bundle from sew happy jane, a sheep enamel pin by gingiber, bath bombs, a hand-stamped bracelet by Lemon Kissed, chocolate by Mayana, and snacks by Siren Snacks. On top of this goodness we had swag from attendees, including hand-made bath salts from Melinda, a little llama and mini skein from Yvonne (LavenderSheep), champagne splits from Kate, lavender from Jill, a little tool set from Marie, a gorgeous hand-sewn tool caddies from Kara, and amazing hand-sewn zipper bags from Kathy (who ended up sick and couldn't come, WE MISSED YOU KATHY!).

While at the retreat, our knitters had exclusive access to a special pop-up shop of sew happy jane yarns and INK bags ... some of us may have found some new sweaters ... 

The entire weekend was magical, and the Dufur Valley did not disappoint on the beautiful, wintry, knitting weather (but with dry, safe roads - yay!). 

We even remembered to get a parting group shot to commemorate the weekend. :) 

Thanks to Marie and thanks to everyone who came to the book party and the retreat, from near and far! 

Oh - and those sweaters I want(ed) to start? Finished one yesterday, casting on another tomorrow. Stay tuned to Insta for the finished pictures of my North Channel Cardigan! 

 

Comments

[Danielle Curran]

Just started Shoreline today! So fun! Can’t wait to see the final pictures on your sweater—under 2 weeks! I also think I need more Kitchen Sink Bars in my life!