Retreat 2010 Photos

What a fabulous weekend! It was the last weekend of the Olympics so we had to celebrate that. This is our Olympic display. Aren't those sweaters gorgeous! The Norwegian ski team was not doing well in the Olympics, so there was some disappointment but overall, it was a great weekend for the 15th annual Arnhild's Knitting Studio Retreat.

We packed up Brunhild (she is on the left here), and her more delicate sister and all the shelving, sweaters and Rauma yarns that we could pack into 3 minivans and a Suburban and we set up a Denise's Needleworks store at the hotel. Everyone loved it!


Our featured teacher, Annemor Sundbø, was wonderful. She is so willing to share her knowledge of Norwegian knitting history. We all fell in love with this woman who has preserved so much of the history from her rag pile. We are so glad she could come and share that with us.

Before the retreat, I was able to get my Margrethe sweater mostly finished. There were still some facings to tack down inside. This one attracted a lot of attention. I think several people took home patterns and yarn for this sweater. The facings won't get finished any time soon though. Sarah, the owner of Blue Heron Knittery in Decorah, Iowa decided she really liked it too so it went home with her to go on display in her shop. Say hello for me if you visit there!


I love the rack of sweaters that we put together every year. Wouldn't you love to have this many beautiful sweaters in your closet?


There were many beautiful sweaters made and worn by our guests too. Here is a "sweater spotting" picture for you. Click on the picture for a closer look.

Retreat Weekend!

For Arnhild's Knitting Studio's 15th annual retreat!

The cars are all packed. The new models are done (or almost done). The yarn and needles and buttons are waiting patiently. Tomorrow we unload it all at the hotel and transform one of the rooms into a full yarn shop!

Let the fun begin!

Annemor is Coming to Retreat!!

We just got the word that Annemor Sundbø is able to be a presenter at the next Arnhild's Knitting Studio Retreat! Annemor has preserved and recorded much of the valuable history of knitwear in Norway in her books.

• Everyday Knitting: Treasures from a Rag Pile.
  ISBN 82-994657-1-0 (Translated by Amy Lightfoot.)
• Setesdal Sweaters: The History of the Norwegian Lice Pattern.
  ISBN 82-994657-2-9 and (translated by Amy Lightfoot)
• Invisible Threads in Knitting.
  (Translated by Carol Huebscher Rhoades) ISBN 82-994657-3-7

I hope you can join us in February 2010.

Retreat Store Pictures

Denise's Needleworks Rauma store at Arnild's Knitting Studio Retreat

It took 6 of of us most of a day to set up this yarn shop in a hotel conference room for the retreat. There were also many hours put in before the move to plan and pack everything into the truck and vans. It turned out very nice and we got lots of compliments on how beautiful the shop was. The shop was available to those who came for the Arnhild's Knitting Studio 14th Annual Knitting Retreat

I did get back from Michigan...

really I did. I really left you all hanging though didn't I? Sorry about that!

We had a wonderful time in Michigan with the classes, the people in the classes and with the owners of Threadbear Fiber Arts Studio. Then things got very busy for me!

Arnhild has been in Norway since mid-November so I am in charge of her business as well as my own. Things have been going well for both. We had great sales before Christmas and after when everyone decided to spend their Christmas money. I have packed a LOT of yarn!

I have been working on some knitting for Arnhild's annual retreat. There will be new patterns and samples to show off there. I took the sleeves for the Norwegian Man's Sweater along to Michigan and got the first sleeve mostly knit. Since then I have managed to get the second sleeve mostly knit. It has gone much more slowly because I have had so many other things to do. This one needs to be finished in time for the retreat as well. Deadline is the last weekend of February. I still have a lot to do!

Headed to Michigan

We leave tomorrow morning! I am going to assist Arnhild with some classes at Threadbear Fiber Arts Studio in Lansing, Michigan this weekend. I have heard a lot about this fabulous store and I am looking forward to seeing it.

I will be taking along the sleeves of the Norwegian Star sweater to work on as we travel. I am never sure how much knitting I will actually have time for so we will see how far I get. I am taking my camera and will ask Rob, the owner of Threadbear if it is okay to post pictures of our visit. I will be back Tuesday to fill orders and hopefully can update my blog then.

Arnhild and I have been very busy trying to get as much done as we can before we go. She will be leaving from Chicago to head to Norway as we come back from Michigan. It will be her extended Christmas visit.

I will be in charge of her business while she is gone. We are busy taking registrations for the Arnhild's Knitting Studio Retreat which is held the end of February. We are also setting up the advertising and other details of the Arnhild's Knitting Studio Fiber Arts School which starts knitting classes on February 10, 2009. Watch for details on www.arnhild.com.

See you all later!