Vogue Knitting just enjoyed its third annual Destination Experience out West, hosted by Imperial Stock Ranch and Imperial Yarn. Knitters came from all over the country to meet the sheep, the dogs, the cowboys, and experience the history, landscape, and wild desert river.
Our trip began upon on arrival in Portland, Oregon, where many of us spent the evening touring local yarn shops.
Saturday afternoon got a little more adventurous. We all loaded into a rustic bus used to shuttle for the twenty-mile trip out to the Imperial Stock Ranch. The trip up out of the Deschutes River canyon made a few of us nervous, but eventually we reached the rolling sagebrush plateau.
Following lunch, we watched herding dog and roping demonstrations, and some of us even gave it a go. Next we toured the ranch headquarters, which were built in the horse-and-wagon days and are still in use today.
Too soon, it was time to head back to the lodge. The ranch family joined us for dinner: chuck wagon fare of barbecued beef brisket and chicken straight from the ranch, plus all the trimmings. A talented local cowboy band provided the entertainment—that is, until Doreen Connors from Vogue Knitting took the stage to sing “I Want To Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart!” We closed the place down with dancing and unique door prizes.
Sunday was another great day with Josh Bennett. Josh taught a technique class on double knitting, which he uses in place of a folded hem on sweaters or to add pockets. With two colors, he started everyone with a clever rib cast on he termed “Josh’s Fabulous Cast-On!” Under his supervision, his students felt confident trying these new techniques themselves.
As we load the bus on Monday morning to return to Portland, no one wanted to leave. It was truly a Destination Experience.
