Sunday saw the end of KNITTIN' at the LAKE 2008. Sunshine glistened off the icy frosting hiding in the 
shady spots on the ground. Everyone had a bright drive home after a fun weekend! This picture is the view from the conference room.
Now, the knitters can start counting down to KNITTIN' at the LAKE 2009 retreat!!! The 2009 dates are January 16th - 18th. Come 
and join us!! Pictured here, L to R, are Deborah, Tami, Deb, Dorothy, and Robin C. They've already started counting!!!!!
I feel like I'm at an awards show but this is important stuff!! I hope I don't forget anyone!
I would like to thank the following who have been so monumentally supportive of my efforts. KNITTIN' at the LAKE would not be such a success without the knitting shops, publishers, companies, and individuals who contribute such generous door prizes and promotional items/information each year. Those who donated door prizes / promotional material / samples for the goodie bags this year include: Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles * Interweave Press * Knitting Sisters * Holly Spring Homespun * Spirit Trail Fiberworks * The Yarn Lounge * soak * Wild Fibers Magazine * Knitting Addiction * Backstitches * Margaret Urban of Cozy * Vogue Knitting * Jimmy Beans Wool * Lawre's Laine * The Lake House Restaurant * Knitting Daily * The Pea Pod * Little Knits * Knitting Basket. Also, many of the participants also donated door prizes this year which allowed us to have more winners!!!
My mother paints my design on our goodie bags each year and, once again, this year's was well received - so cute!! Thanks, Mom!
My friend, Sally, who came to visit me last week and I put her to work!! She's used to my retreats, though, and was great help! So, thanks, Sally, for knowing what you're getting into and coming anyway! Also, thanks to the gals who arrived early and stuffed goodie bags!
I also want to thank the vendors for hauling and schlepping all their stuff just so all the participants can see and shop and add more good stuff to our stash!
The Best Western On The Lake in Clarksville works so well with me and even welcomes us on their sign (see Mary's blog). Great rooms, great conference room area, great view, and great location!
And, of course, the fans (knitters)!!! The retreat would be nothing without those of you who come and participate!!! Tons of thanks for making the retreat extra fun by bringing and sharing your finished hand-knits for show & tell, snacks and good eats for everyone to enjoy, and your wonderfully motivating attitude for all of us to feed off of. AND, this year those who graciously participated in knitting and donating preemie caps - THANK YOU!
It's so great that we can share our talents with others. Most knitters I know knit for several charities (Red Scarf 
Project, Breast Cancer, Linus Project, etc.) and get back more from the task than they give. The final estimate of caps collected at the retreat is 70! SEVENTY! Seventy little heads that will be warm because of our caps. We also had cap and bootie sets donated. I'll have a list soon of the medical centers that will be receiving them. So far, Virginia Baptist Hospital and Duke University Medical Center are on-board.
Robin - Thank you so much for another wonderful weekend of knitting, laughing, eating and even snow this year!! Can't wait for next year! You do such a great job of getting all of this organized!
Rita
Posted by: Rita | January 23, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Wow - that's a lot of preemie hats! It certainly looked like it was worth all your work :)
Posted by: mrspao | January 22, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Thank you Robin for organizing the retreat. It was a great place, great gals and so much fun, the perfect winter getaway - who cared if it snowed - that just added to the beauty. Absolutely mahvelous weekend!
Posted by: Carol | January 22, 2008 at 09:40 AM
The weekend sounds divine. I use to host scrapbook weekends, but since I took up knitting that is all I can think about. I have thought of doing a knitting weekend, but I know how much work goes into something like that, and it sounds like you did a great job.
Posted by: Tina | January 22, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Amazing....all those hats! I love your cat pictures too. They are both so pretty. I also love the pics of your Dad's baskets...i Like the long ovalish shaped basket with what looks like a wooden handle inside it. You must have a very talented family.
Posted by: Leah | January 21, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Wow.Those hospitals should be thrilled to have so many people care to knit all those little caps. You rock!! Thanks for the update and photos. I always feel like I've been with you. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Rusty M. | January 21, 2008 at 09:59 PM
Seventy preemie caps?!! Wow, you knitters rock!
Posted by: Suz | January 21, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Hi Robin!
You did great again and talk about great little hats...WOW! Know the hospitals that receive them will be so thankful! It is a good thing....
Congrats!
Posted by: Jackie | January 21, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Robin!!
You did it again--a wonderful weekend was had by all of us!
We ARE a great bunch of knitters!! And Clarkesville is great place to knit.And drink. And laugh. And eat. And spend money!!
Posted by: Issy | January 21, 2008 at 08:32 PM
What a great week-end, knittin, snow & lots of silly fun! I so enjoyed seeing all again this year, the talents of these folks amaze me. Thanks to all for a great time.
Posted by: Pam | January 21, 2008 at 07:52 PM