Sarah and I have been taking classes at Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat for 3 days – and spending our in-between times scouring the yarn market for trouble and temptation. It has been a blast!

It is kind of an Alice in Wonderland experience – down the rabbit hole and smack into an intensive 3-hour adventure with cast-ons and bind-offs (where I learned that I inadvertently twist stitches when I pick-up-and-knit – “Knitter, Know Thyself!”). Fortunately, that was Sunday morning and we were in full knitting-brain mode by then.

We started with a class in crocheting wire and beads. Pure fun – and I actually finished the project in class (as did we all). As someone who usually sees weeks, months pass between cast-on and bind-off, I felt absolutely giddy! Thank you, Darla Fanton!

Additional classes in knitting “Doo Dads” (with Kathryn Alexander – we made these delightful Dr. Seuss-ish things) and “Tapestry with Short Rows” (with Pat Brunner – it turned my brain inside out, but once I got the hang of it I didn’t want to stop – too cool! and it gave me just the technique for the stole I want to make with the new yarn I bought at the market) got me thinking (and knitting) outside my own box. Sarah also took “Chain Mail Knitting” (with Lucy Neatby – the possibilities with I-cord!).

I realize that I sound (read?) like a promo bit for Madrona. But I would encourage any knitter to go to a good conference or retreat like this one now and again. For inspiration, community, empowerment. For the artist and engineer in you. I find myself floating on the “They understand me!” of a shared obsession for a few days. But viva la difference, too – no two knitters see eye-to-eye on everything and though one person will swear by circular needles or chain-stitch provisional cast-on or picking (rather than throwing), she will bow graciously to the straight needler, the looping caster-on, the thrower and smile and say “but whatever works for you.” Ah, if the nations of the world could learn from the knitters of the world!

Well, as the Fates would have it, we have our two knitting conferences of the year back-to-back. What are ya going to do? We are off the Stitches West on Wednesday – more classes, more yarn! So, we are taking a day or so to come up for air, do the laundry, kiss our husbands, and then it is back Through the Looking Glass! Sweet!