Dear Jan,
Sorry about that post title. I have had this rif on The Knack tune knocking around in my head all week, because, as you well know, I have spent the week in Seattle and then Tacoma with the ultimate destination of attending the Madrona Winter Retreat. Today, the lead up to the retreat.
I flew out last Sunday afternoon, working furiously to finish some work email on the airplane, but finishing up the toe on the Socks Around the World 3 group sock project just as we landed. Of the 10 pieces of sock knit by 10 different people, no two were matchy matchy, yet they all went together quite well. I handed them off in person to Carin of the Knitwits podcast, originator of the SAW concept, while at Madrona, after blocking them in the hotel room.
Susanna Hansson, The Bohus Expert, picked me up at the airport, along with Susan Newhall, The Blended Intarsia Orginator, and we proceeded to have a blast throughout Seattle. We spent a day yarn store hopping, catching Churchmouse Yarns and Teas, The Fiber Gallery, and The Weaving Works. The collage above is from Churchmouse - what a nice shop, with wonderful yarns and lovely teas and most important, an expert and welcoming staff.
I loved seeing green after the brown winter we’ve been having in Minneapolis. Not only green, but flowers, too, the prettiest of all blooming in Susanna’s windowsill overlooking her front garden.
On Tuesday, Susanna had to work, Susan took off to buy 92% of all the Japanese knitting books in Seattle, and I went on a day trip with SIL Paula to visit the lots she and Marty had just signed an offer on in the little town of Mt. Vernon. I was charmed - by the town, which felt like Medina of the 1970’s and has not one, but two knitting stores and by the land, which is in a neighborhood situated in a wooded and ravine-crossed area so you don’t see more than a few neighbors. Plus, a beaver pond at the end of the road with public walking trails.
Tuesday night we musselled in to the classic Seattle dining spot, Ray’s Boathouse, and ate very well indeed. I believe some local brew may have been involved, as well, explaining why Susan and Susanna show such little concern at the enormous salmon looming behind them. In the morning, Susanna entertained Susan and me by bringing out two new genuine Bohus acquisitions. We were very highly amused - I’ll share some photos and a story in the next few days, I promise.
For now, Thompson, The Very Handsome Parrot, says “Put ‘er there, back soon.” (To tell the truth, he doesn’t speak that clearly, so he might have been saying “Pretty bird, Thompson,” but I can tell he misses you already.)
More to come,
Love,
Ellen
This guy took my mind off my shoveling aches when he appeared right outside the window.
But he only had eyes for someone else. I caught him in the act of wining and dining her (I thought he looked a little seedy, myself).
Luckily I had another friend come visit.
Jan and Ellen are identical twins who have always had an innate fashion sense. Crafting is an integral part of their lives and they stay stitched together sharing their love of knitting, family and community.