Yep, I just cannot sum up my Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat experience in one post – especially when I have yarn photos to share (but those will come in a not-too-future post – you will just have to wait!). 

I was only able to attend 2 of the 4 days this year – and took 2 only classes, one each day – but I feel petty satiated nonetheless!  I will say that I missed Sarah.  She had to cancel her classes because she could not get back to Tacoma for the weekend after all – she & the children moved to Ft. Bragg in North Carolina last month to join her husband, Jeff, who is stationed there.  When we learned that Jeff was scheduled to be deployed overseas in February – well, obviously, Sarah could not leave her family just then even for Madrona! 

But I am blessed with a kind and understanding husband who accompanied me to the Yarn and Fiber Market on Friday – wearing the EZ (EZ for Elizabeth Zimmermann not  as in “easy”!) Hybrid Seamless Sweater with Elsebeth Lavold’s Viking cables which I had finished in the ta-da knick of time the night before (um, there might have been a couple of ends not woven in..but I did not notice that til later when he took it off..) – and proceeded to mmmm and ahhh on cue as I fondled and rattled on about the yarn. 

On Friday, I took Franklin Habit’s class on Working with Antique and Vintage Patterns where I gained a great deal of practical knowledge about how to tackle 19^th century knitting patterns, as well as a clearer understanding of the history of knitting in England and the United States.  Franklin is a gifted speaker (witty, intelligent, a natural storyteller) and a darned fine teacher – and he knows his stuff!  I am intrigued, inspired, and feel myself prepared for the adventure.  He just gave such a good class – his presentation was a generous sharing of the knowledge he has gained with such labor and dedication, as well as an enthusiastic invitation for us to join him as fellow-explorers.  Then, he led us through two really worthwhile exercises in working with vintage knitting.  Terrific experience!  Franklin’s blog The Panopticon is one of my favorites and it was such a treat to take his class. 

Tune in for the next installment of Madrona 2012 for more about the Market, as well my take on Knitting with Mawata!