MSKR 2021 – It’s really happening!

Good morning and happy Saturday! Having a good spring so far? I have some huge projects going on here so I’m alternately wishing for both dry and sunny days as well as the wet days. I’ll have more on the things I have been working on here at home soon.

By the end of March or mid-April of last year it became clear that COVID was going to cause us to cancel the annual Men’s Spring Knitting Retreat. The guys who signed up for the retreat in January were all very understanding of the situation but were devastated nonetheless. All were given the option of requesting a full refund or transferring their registration to either the fall knitting retreat in September or the 2021 spring retreat. Neither of which we were certain would be able to take place. Luckily, we were able to have the fall retreat in September, but we had to significantly reduce the number of attendees and follow a number of other safety and sanitation requirements as per state guidelines.

Ultimately, we had about half the number of attendees that we were allowed to have under the pandemic related restrictions, but that was okay with us. This was the FIRST men’s knitting retreat to take place since the beginning of the pandemic and it was a great opportunity for the venue to work out the new processes and guidelines for the safety of their guests for all the programs and events they host. For us, we were ready to do anything just to be able to gather together and engage in the fiber crafts we love, and offer each other the same nurturing support, encouragement, and inclusiveness that these retreats have become known for.

Now, in a little less than two weeks, 26 men will gather at Easton Mountain for the 2021 Men’s Spring Knitting Retreat and to say we are excited is definitely an understatement. Our number of attendees is a little over half compared to past spring retreats because of restrictions still in place, but that is still okay. The registration that usually opens in January for this retreat didn’t because we basically had enough guys transferring in from last year to fill it, and they all are or will be fully vaccinated before the retreat begins. We still have some safety and sanitation rules to follow and that’s okay. We are grateful that we can even gather together at all. I will most certainly have more to write about this retreat after it has taken place.

In other Men’s Knitting Retreat news, registration for the 2021 North East Men’s Fall Knitting Retreat is opening up this morning at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. Everyone on the mailing list for retreat news and updates will get an email when registration goes live with a link to sign up and make a deposit. If you’re not already on the mailing list but would like to be so you can get notifications of future men’s knitting retreats around the country, send an email to contact@mensknittingretreat.com and ask to be added to the mailing list.

In other news, I am going to my first dog show since 2019 this weekend! Sure, Jade has travelled the country this past fall and winter with her handler doing a number of shows, but not me. I have missed these events too. There will still be COVID related restrictions and safety/sanitation rules in place, but I am happy to abide by them. Really, I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t. I want other people to be safe and healthy just as much as I want those things for me.

That’s all for this morning. I have to do both girls’ nails and give Jade a bath and take care of a number of other things here around the house before I head off to New Jersey this afternoon. Have a great weekend and a Happy Mother’s Day!