Many hands were in motion throughout last week’s Creative Knitting Retreat with Sandy De Master and Mary Germain and in the Open Knit Studio.
Each person was working on a different project, (actually on multiple projects!) and that made for a “stone soup” of pattern, yarn and project ideas that any knitter would savor.
As always, there were new and returning projects brought to class, including lots of color work, Fair Isle knitting and Latvian or Estonian mittens. New friendships were made and returning friendships enriched. Many came to class together as established friends.
Two “Sievers stories” are shared here, first from Eileen P., “My friend Cindy and I have been coming to classes at Sievers for years. These retreats have helped to keep our friendship strong despite now living at different ends of the state.
My mother used to enjoy calling Sievers each year to purchase a gift certificate for me. She loved talking with Ann or Cindra and was always so glad to know they knew and remembered her daughter, Eileen, for whom she was buying the gift certificate. Mom passed in 2016, so this memory is cherished even more.”
And from her friend, Cindy B., “The first time I took a class at Sievers seems like such a long time ago now. I’ve taken so many classes and have so many wonderful memories. The weaving classes were wonderful…the basket classes were such fun…the bookbinding class was so useful, I love to make my own cards now, with special little bindings. And the knitting classes – I’ve learned so many new techniques and so much about other cultures through knitting classes.
Some of the best aspects of taking classes at Sievers are sharing time with friends, making new friends, and learning new things. I took the basket class with my Mom and sister; I’ve taken so many classes with friends – knitters and weavers. So many good memories. Sievers really is a blessing.”
Actually, on one of the nights during the week, there really was stone soup! Coordinated weeks before by Chris S., one of the students in the Open Knit Studio, everyone brought something towards a soup/appetizer/dessert dinner so the two groups could not only share a meal, but show their knitted items in a fashion show.
Here’s another knitting “Sievers story”. Jean Y. wrote, “I first came to Sievers only a few short years ago and immediately felt welcome. My first class was “Knitting on Location” with Carol Anderson. Not only did I learn some new skills from Carol, but I learned more about Washington Island by going to different places to knit. It was wonderful! Since that first year, I have returned annually…and I’ve also been lucky to take several classes with Mary Germain and Sandy De Master in the fall. Each time I feel more welcome as I enter the Sievers office to check in and each time I find it hard to leave. Thank you all for providing such a wonderful environment to learn new skills, enjoy nature, meet new people and reunite with friends!”
We encourage you to gather some friends, a bowl of yarn (and soup!) and spend some of these fall hours knitting.
What amazing projects! Wow! Also loved reading the stories. Sievers is truly a very special place run by very special people.
Thank you Connie! As Walter Schutz would say, it’s the combination of our instructors, students, the Island and the whole experience that makes Sievers what it is.
What a wonderful article and photos that captured the essence of the class. Sievers is such a special place made up of so many great and wonderful friends.
Thank you, Ann, and you’re one of our favorite Sievers (and knitting) friends!