God gave us memories that we might have roses in December.
[J.M. Barrie]
I’m sitting here imagining the welcome my friend Patsy received last evening when she went to knit in heaven with Mama and our other knitting pals who have gone before us.
I met Patsy McCoy at Meg Swansen’s Knitting Camp in Wisconsin. Then I’d see her from time to time at Dayton Knitting Guild events. But my best memories of her were at the annual knitting retreat in New Harmony, Indiana.
Patsy and Bob McCoy loaded their wagon and brought fun and treasures from Illinois to our retreat every autumn. Bob made lovely wood-turned bowls and nosterpinners for us, and Patsy brought a wealth of patterns and ideas. They hosted the event along with Gloria and Allen Johnson from Dayton.
Patsy was endlessly creative and always willing to share her inspired ideas. I remember her with love and gratitude.
Knitting, writing and other joys 
Hi there. I was doing some googling on Patsy to see if I could find anything. She was my step grandmother, and my sister was talking about how she has nothing to remind her of her grandma, and possibly trying to learn how to knit. I was hoping to find some of her patterns or something. If you know if any places I could find anything I would really appreciate any info. Thank you so much!
Hi Kathrine
I am looking to make a Victorian stocking by Pat McCoy
in the 1993 Knitting Digest
I think I may be reading it wrong
Is there any way you can help
Thank you
Kathy Reitz
Katie44L @verizon.net
Pingback: Gift of Friendship « Knitting, writing and other joys
My first encounter with Patsy was staying in her home to continue are travels up to Door County for Carol Andersen’s camp. My room was overcome with yarn and I found it almost impossible to sleep because of the beautiful stash of colorful and unusual fibers. Other encounters: Meg’s Camps, New Harmony and especially her classes she taught for our Guild. So much talent and creativity. Bob, our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
OMGoodness… Cheryl (Atkinson Farm Yarns) just telephoned the shocking news to me. I then called Rita and told her. Where do you begin when you start to remember Pat and all the love of the craft she brought to us and others? I am so unhappy at the loss of Pat and also thankful she is not suffering from her illness. Thank you for the picture posted Kathering, it brings smiles amid the sadness. Hugs to all…
I will always just remember Patsy. She was such a lets do it. We went to TkGA in St Charles and so many things weren’t ready she knew how to get them done and we did, laughing as we climbed over balcony edges to do something. She and Gloria couldn’t find their way anywhere but always got there asking how was worth a million laughs.I always share herpatsy’s toe like Joyces heel. She will be missed.
I am so sad to hear of Patsy’s passing. We first met when we roomed together at Meg’s knit camp in ’92 and have been friends ever since. I’ll never forget getting to see her stash for the first time…and I’ve never seen a larger one since, but she certainly inspired mine! She inspired me in so many ways and I will miss her forever. We lived only an hour or so apart in IL so we saw each other in between camps and workshops…always had great show and tell sessions, lunches and FUN…and now I have wonderful memories. Godspeed, Pat.
I remember getting a call from Pat many years ago asking about a bed and breakfast in New Harmony for a retreat. We didn’t have a B&B big enough but the Barn Abbey has sure worked well. I will miss hearing her stories. Her ones about moving the STASH for visitors always was fun.
Candy
I will always think of Pat and New Harmony in the same breath. I also met Pat at Knitting Camp but will remember both her and Barb S. when we were riding on the back of a trolley in Fort Wayne and laughing our fool heads off – coming up with the most inane remarks about the passing cars. I miss her already. Thanks, Katherine, for the lovely tribute.
Jackie
The knitting world is diminished by Pat McCoy’s passing. She was so full of creative ideas and loved to share them with those fortunate enough to know her. I also remember very fondly the retreats at New Harmony. My condolences to Bob and their children and grandchildren. I treasure having known Pat and I love my wooden bowl.
Pat
Katherine, your tribute to Pat brought tears to my eyes. Pat will always be special to me. I’ll never forget Knitting Camp in 1988, when Pat and Gloria “nursed” me through my first teddy bear sweater using EZ techniques. The next several years were filled with many knitting adventures. They often included filling every inch of Pat’s car with yarn we couldn’t resist buying, our arrival at Susan’s “new” shop in Geneva the first time we went there, and the list could go on and on. In October 2006, I was fortunate to be at New Harmony, which was indeed very special. Right now, I can imagine Pat in Heaven planning the “go with’s” she will soon start knitting.
I remember meeting Patsy and her husband Bob the year I went to New Harmony… She was really lovely… One of my next weaving projects is going to use the shetland wool that she sent me… I am always using the lovely wooden bowl that Bob turned… It is so nice for holding the wool while I knit…
My best to her family…
Ellen
Newport, South Wales
UK
What a giving and sharing person Patsy was to all of us. She loved knitting and letting others learn from her, even if second hand. She was always willing to let me share the things I learned from her with my Guilds here in Oklahoma. As with Gloria, New Harmony was and is my favorite place in the world to knit and learn mostly because of her, Bob, Gloria and Allen. Of course getting to see Katherine there each year was a truly added bonus.
Thank you for the wonderful tribute to Patsy. I’m sure she’s knitting with Elizabeth, Rachel and Barb S. for sure. We had many good times and knitting binges together, shopping, getting lost,etc. Meg’s Camp was terrific especially in the early days and later too. But dearest to both of us was New Harmony and The Sumner Knitting School. Tis a strange world without her.
I’m wishing Patsy the Very Best on her continueing journey and yep… knitting to hearts content with all of her beloved friends and family…
What a lot of wonderful memories you have with Patsy! and what a beautiful tribute to her :^)