Recap — Island Adventure on Monhegan

"It was so easy to go from 90 mph to 5. And hard to leave at the end."

This says it all, from one of our Adventure Knitters on our June trip to Monhegan. Island.

Our first Island Adventure had all the right ingredients:

1. Assemble an exceptional group of women

2. Add one iconic Maine island

3. Bring knitting

4. Slow down to island pace

5. Season liberally with laughter, stories, companionship.
   

The Nature Report.

The beach roses (Rosa rugosa) were in full bloom, trailing along the white picket fences. Picture them dappled with raindrops, after Saturday morning showers.

We spotted a dozen (or more!) pink Lady slippers (Cypripedium acaule) the woodsy path to Pulpit Rock. The wild strawberries on the highlands at the north end of the island were just this side of ripe, but still such a tasty treat. Herring gulls were nesting along the cliffs at Black Head. Cathedral Woods was as majestic as ever — though we noted an area of blow-downs from our intense winter storms two years ago. And it was a bit early in the season for fairy houses — we just spotted a few. The Monhegan pheasants! "Ever-present pheasants" became a refrain for our group, with a call that sounds like an antique car horn. One accompanied Iris along the trail near Whitehead. We don't know their origin story — but, wow! They make their presence known.

Baby Musselburgh hat!

Musselburghs on Monhegan.

Our project focus was the Musselburgh hat, a pattern by Ysolda Teague. Some of us had knit one (or more!) before, and a few were new to it.

In the photo above, Debbie's showing the sweet start of her Musselburgh — she was holding two strands of yarn together, and one of them had a bit of sparkle! Note that unique cast-on  — but once you're through with the increases, it's a lovely and relaxing pattern. We lingered after breakfast on Saturday with our knitting. Isla and Iris got the newbies going on their Musselburghs, while our veteran Musselburgh knitters knit away and chatted, worked out charted lettering, or determined their stripe sequence. Iris provided everyone with a handy graphic to remember the increase pattern, as well as a cheat-sheet for M1R/M1L.

Those of us who've knit this pattern before had lots of wisdom to share about achieving the perfect fit and add design elements. It was inspiring to see Musselburghs at all stages of progress all around the table!

Cozy at Monhegan House.

We received such a warm welcome at our home for the weekend, Monhegan House. This historic inn has clean, comfortable rooms on all four floors. Pictured above at right, one of the fourth floor dormer rooms overlooking Manana Island.

We hung out on the porch with our knitting and cozied up inside the parlor in the evenings.

Innkeeper Melanie and her exceptional staff made us feel right at home and kept us very well fed. A three-course breakfast to begin the day really felt like a decadent treat! Our meals in the evening were delicious and hearty — and included options to meet the dietary needs of our group.

Oh! And then there was the nightly pop-up dessert bar on the porch. It's open to the public and folks pay by the slice. That first night was Pie Night — our group enjoyed coconut cream, blueberry galette, lemon meringue, and more. So delicious.

It was so good...

From one of our Island Adventure Knitters:

"Poems, closing circle was great, laughs, sharing knitting tips with all the experienced knitters — and also life tips — was super, leadership and instruction were gentle, thoughtful, generous, and well-planned. Enthusiasm and encouragement were adjusted for each person's needs, and I loved how well Iris and Isla wove themselves in and out of the group, providing group time and solo time."

We had such a great time on this first Monhegan retreat that we decided to return in October, for an Autumn Island Adventure. It's a special place to share with special people.

Will you join us? See the Events page for a description, and to fill out an Intention Form!

Our group shot, with Musselburghs in hand!