Super Weekend

I'm back from a terrific weekend in Sudbury, ON on Long Lake.
We know that knitters are for the most part are wonderful people and in groups at a retreat are lots of fun. But a group of knitters who knit for charity are even nicer and very welcoming, at least this group was. The Sticks, String and Stewardship Retreat is the brain child of Alison Hood who believes that using your gifts and talents in even the smallest way to help someone else has amazing benefits to the recipient but also to the giver. And that from every gift some good radiates much further than you could possibly imagine. And although I happen to catch Alison looking sort of serious here, she is a lively, funny speaker and lots of fun. Her committee did a great job and even though we had a schedule, it was very relaxed with lots of time for knitting and talking. Is there a square inch of table that is not covered in yarn?These woman are very involved in the Prayer Shawl Ministry (http://www.shawlminitry.com/) and after a couple of stories there wasn't a dry eye in the place. Several other knitters were making blankets for Project Linus Canada (http://pages.videotron.com/danielp/plcanada/index.html - there is a chapter in Lively, ON) and hats, mittens, blankets, scarves and stuffed toys were collected to be distributed throughout their community.They also wanted to add to their skills as knitters. So we made Top Down sweaters for teddy bears. They were partially done here but several teddy bears were suitably clothed the next day.

It was a wonderful weekend and I am so glad they invited me to participate. This was their first retreat but I know they are already planning for next year.
- Deb