I dragged my feet posting this, and I apologize. I’m not very happy with any of my images. My photo-mojo is at an all time low. Don’t you just hate that – like why? – brain whizzing faster than the shutter – preferring to see with my eyes instead of through the lens – laptop running slow? All of those things I suppose, and for me, a post is all about the pictures.
The story is, I had a grand time at the Green Mountain Sugar Season Retreat despite my lame photo-documentation! I wish I had shots of the Inn, of the sunny woodsy scenery, rushing rivers, lovely Vermont lanes and better ones of The Spinnery itself!
My students were amazing and I know I say that every time but – my goodness! We were a mixed bunch, stranded knitting beginners hoping to conquer the technique, color enthusiasts looking for a little more guidance, budding designers experimenting with motif design and placement, and experts who simply enjoy classes. Almost everyone finished a hat, and those who didn’t had their own particular reasons reason why…perfection…yep perfection…sigh…Just look at the variety! What colors! But it is hard to go wrong with the gorgeous Green Mountain Spinnery yarns, Mountain Mohair and Wonderfully Wooly.
I had the good fortune to get a personal guided tour of the Spinnery with it’s wool rooms and wonderful vintage equipment, from the knowledgeable and fun to be with Eric (yep, she’s Eric not Erica, something about girl scouts and camping).
My favorite part of the tour was when Eric opened the door beneath the sign “THIS IS NOT AN EXIT”. I’ll say not! Just look at that fluff!
Eric has a job you and I dream of getting and she was clever how she went about it, asked to fill in for someone who was on holiday, she made sure she was indispensable.Twenty years later she’s still working at the mill in beautiful rural Vermont. She’s a designer, too! All the fibers Green Mountain Spinnery uses – alpaca, mohair, wool and even organic cotton – are grown in the United States. As much as they can, they purchase the fiber directly from individual growers.
You can get a hint of the fun with the great video tour they have on their website.I think the most fun of all though, is the relaxed atmosphere of the retreat, the beautiful surroundings, the delicious food, fine companionship, wonderful hostesses Maureen and Eric – that’s it, you should sign up now for next year because this retreat always sells out fast!
On the way home, Stone
Arch Bridge, Stoddard New Hampshire.
Naomi in the comments gave us a link to sheep farmer Eugene Wyatt’s blog, it is fleece from his sheep pictured above.
what fun! Love all of it – and what a fantastic door to open! Eric’s sweater is amazing too! I imagine she knit it?
Hello Mary Jane,
Thanks for this post. I love the hats – all so different and yet the same. Isn’t it amazing how colour can change everything. As I read through your post, and looked at the pictures taken at Green Mountain Spinnery, I noticed the one of the wool with the shepherd’s name on it. Eugene Wyatt has a great blog over at http://www.catskill-merino.com/ and so I tweeted him to let him know that he and his sheep were on your blog.
Here is his answer,
“Yes, how nice, my name is synonymous with fine wool. Thank Mary Jane for me”
Knitterly Blessings,
Naomi
i really like the sweater you are wearing in the above pic…pattern?? the hats are lovely…what an array of color and patterns….thank you for sharing your passion
What a wonderful weekend we had. Thanks, Mary Jane, for all the inspiration. It was a pleasure to be in your class.
I am inspired by the image of the delicious hats you made at Green Mtn. Spinnery weekend and would love to knit one.
I have been perusing 200 Fair Isle Motifs and have some in mind. Can you tell me what basic hat pattern you used?
It is in the works and at the tech editor right now!
Is this pattern available?