Ahoy Monhegan Island Dreamers: You've Come to the Right Place!

Hello Adventurous Knitter!
Spike here. If you've been on one of the amazing Knitting and Yoga Adventure retreats to Monhegan Island, you already know me. But in case you're new, allow me to introduce myself. I'm part of the team that thrives on introducing newcomers (and welcoming back our dedicated attendees who return year after year) to a wonderful week far away from everything but knitting, hiking, yoga, unbelievably good food, and enough laughter to last you for (at least) a year.

A little about me: my official role is blogger, though I have been known to share my fashion and makeup secrets as an added bonus. Let's just say I'm a colorful member of the bunch. I got hooked on Monhegan a few years ago when I opened up a Rowan International Magazine and out fluttered a postcard informing me about the retreat. Let me back up for a minute and say that, while I'm not a huge fan of some of the bigger, more traditional holidays, I've got a few personal favorites. Two of these happen to be those days when the Rowan mag hits my mailbox. I put everything else aside and settle in to eat up all those delicious photos and imagine myself knitting every single project. So the day I got the magazine with the postcard in it, I was already in a delightful mood. Then, when I started imagining myself on the retreat... well I got pretty carried away at the prospect.

Fast forward to me recommending myself as part of the adventure, and Lisa agreeing that was a good idea, and suddenly my dream was a reality. My first trip to Monhegan Island was September 2007. The trip exceeded my (admittedly high) expectations, and I was immediately smitten with the island and with my fellow knitters. I was thrilled to be invited back for the 2008 trip and again had the time of my life. Now I'm an old hand, and the first thing I did when I got my 2010 calendar was to write M-O-N-H-E-G-A-N-!!!!! across the week of September 12 - 18, 2010. I can't wait to eat Holden's homemade cookies, and meet up with the fast friends I made who are also returning. I'm also eager to meet first timers, and I can promise you you'll be as thrilled as I always am.

I'm delighted that Susan Mills will be back to teach more classes-- I always leave the retreat knowing more than when I arrived. I'm psyched out of my head that Cathy Payson has signed on this year for her first trip. Cathy is an amazing designer who is busy making plans for the classes she'll teach. Melora will be back, too, offering yoga classes for all levels. And Patty will, as ever, be our fearless hiking leader. Heading up the party-- Lisa Evans. Lisa is a genius at color, the hostess with the mostess, and our director of fun, fun, fun.

We've already got quite a few of the spots spoken for, but the good news is there are still some openings. To find out more details, check out KnittingAndYogaAdventures.com or email Lisa directly at KnittingYogi@maine.rr.com.

Sure hope you can make it!
Spike

Excellent News!

Hey Y'all,
Well let's begin by talking about MY birthday, if I may be so self-indulgent. I was lucky enough to be invited to TNNA Market (where wholesale knit suppliers meet up with retailers, designers, and other folks in the biz) by my local yarn shop, Hill Country Weavers. Luckier still, Lisa and Susan were both in attendance. So I got to a) be with, like, a thousand knit fiends on my birthday b) be in 70 degree weather in California (it was 28 back in Austin) and c) have my birthday dinner with two of my favorite knitters. So yes, it was a great time.

While I was there, I found out that Susan recently took a job with Classic Elite Yarns. Congratulations Susan! Also, Lisa took the opportunity to talk to fab designer Cathy Payson who works for JCA/Reynolds. I also took the opportunity to interview Cathy for an upcoming mag feature (I'll let you know when it publishes). Anyway, super great news: Cathy will be joining us for the Monhegan 2010 adventure to teach some classes! Yay!

Cathy's designs are both really lovely AND don't induce that nervous breakdown feeling some patterns tend to. She's also really, really fun to hang out with. I actually invited her to move to Texas, but she politely declined. Oh well.

We'll have more news soon. Just wanted to give you the update. Oh, and that picture at the top? That's me and my Hill Country Weavers friends posing as enormous circular needles. If you want to read more details of my time at Market, check out this link.