When we heard that Stitches South would be in Nashville this year, it didn't take more than 60 seconds for us to decide that it would be a perfect trip for the Irish Girlie Knits Designs team. Looking back, I can't believe how much food and fun we packed in to such a short period of time. Most of that credit goes to the incredible organization of our knitterly travel companions @cupcake_faerie @2ducklips & @christinempk. Thanks so very much ladies!
First of all, we stayed at the convention center hotel and quickly found the Opryland Resort was appropriately named.
It was like a mini Disneyland! There was a boat ride inside the hotel! Crazy!
And a waterfall!
First southern fried meal was from the iconic Loveless Cafe; complete with sides of fried green tomatoes and mac & cheese. And biscuits.
Biscuits and gravy...
Biscuits and jam... heavenly.
In the evening we headed to the Grand Ole Opry.
The young man above is Michael Ray who made his Opry debut that night and brought us all to tears with his heartfelt gratitude and raw emotion. The kid is going to be big.
He first sang "Green Green Grass of Home" as a tribute to his grandfather. He followed it with his new single "Kiss You in the Morning."
The next morning we headed to Monell's for what we were told would be a true "Country Breakfast Experience."
A country breakfast is no joke...
This was just the first pass where I tried a bit of everything. The highlights were the sausage, fried chicken and the (surprise!) biscuits.
We walked off our full stomachs with a stroll around the Germantown neighborhood surrounding Monell's restaurant.
Then headed to Ann Patchett's store, Parnassus Books...
And took a little break at a darling coffeehouse:
Oh, remember we were there for Stitches South!
We also managed to meet up with some of the most lovely people in knitting:
Jody!! (GrannyKnits4U)
Donna had a booth for her store In The Making.
Ravelry IGK group member ChefCaroline!
And darling Sarah showed off Nashville in the Plucky Knitter booth!
(We did a lot of damage there - her yarns are beyond inspiring!)
Lest you think we were done with all the eating...
We got up super early on the day we flew out for one last biscuit frenzy.
It was sooo worth it.
Not only can these people make the the Giselle of biscuits...
they take biscuits to the next level...
They fry biscuit dough into donuts, fill with lemon mascarpone cream and serve them with a blueberry sauce. Unbelievably delicious!
We were exhausted in the very best of ways!
Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits
&
Tricia (@CheekyAttitude)
P.S. There's lots of fun sharing going on in the IGK Ravelry Group KAL. "Playing with Color" is the theme. The Dancette pattern is on sale for the month of May. Perfect springtime knit in gorgeous color.
