Well, Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat was really awesome in spite of some unusual coincidences.

First, I was going to take off for Tacoma Wednesday morning when we got a snow storm! I dropped the kids off at school, which is in a very hilly area. I was re-routed to the Washington State University campus where they made us wait until the snow cleared the hills which are at the entrance and exit to the campus. The kids school (The Gardner School) is on the East side of the campus. I waited for about an hour and a half for them to clear the streets so I could escape to Madrona.

Here's the view from the deck (not too bad here) and then the view at the WSU campus where I was stranded.

Of course, as it is here in the Pacific Northwest lowlands, the snow melted by noon. So, I finally got out to Madrona.

On Thursday I took class with Anita Luvera Mayer. Anita is an internationally recognized weaver and versatile fiber artist, designer and author. She was first introduced to weaving in 1955 when her mother-in-law gave her a floor loom as a wedding gift. Her focus on weaving contemporary garments began in 1972 and she has focused the last 12+ years of her work about women's stories. Although she still weaves, her creative fiber work has evolved to include many types of innovative surface design techniques as well as incredible beadwork, embroidery, freeform knitting and crochet. Anita's garment collection, Women of the World, featuring ethnic designs from the traditions of many countries, is currently touring galleries in the US.

Here are some pictures of her garments. We got a fabu up-close-and-personal look. My favorite one is the first one pictured here. It's called Renewed/Reborn.

In Anita's words...

"Recycling cloth fragments by stitching them into a whole cloth has been practiced in Japan for centuries. The resulting garments represent to me a profound story of perseverance and survival experienced by many women as they attempt to find their way in this life. We life in a youth-oriented society, and I want to share and celebrate the joys of self-discovery that come with age. I believe that gray hair, lines on the face, and gnarled hands signify that a woman has had a full and challenging life, and with the years has gained knowledge and wisdom. Renewed/Reborn is my tribute to our worn exteriors, and, on the reverse side, a celebration of the beauty within."

Does this not sum up my life right now? Finding my way in this life? I am about to turn 43, entering middle age and celebrating the changes I've had over the years, and the one's I've more recently made. I've had many careers, worn many hats and I'm looking forward to what the future is going to throw at me. I often cry in classes that move me and there were many tears of joy in Anita's class. She's so inspiring, beautiful inside and out.

Here's more of the garments...

I don't have a printed card of this piece, but she talked about all the anonymous women that did handwork and lived full lives. This piece celebrates anonymous women. All the doilies that she uses in her pieces were hand made. The photographs she got in antique shops and various other sources.

Here's another piece with her handmade scarves in the background. I apologize for not knowing the name of this piece.

On Friday, I taught Introduction to Double Knitting. The class went well. I had a typo in my pattern, but thankfully, the students found it. On Friday night, I went out to dinner with friends and wasn't feeling too hot. As it turned out, I got a virus and had a fever, chills, etc. Not fun. I was worried because I had two classes to teach on Saturday. Saturday morning I woke up, and the fever was gone replaced by cold symptoms. Must have been a 24 hour bug.

Saturday's classes went well. I've taught them both a bunch of times, so I really relaxed and enjoyed teaching this year. They were Yarn Substitution and Going To The Dark Side (Knitting with Your Opposite Hand).

Saturday night's speaker was Franklin Habit. He was a hoot! Very funny man and I share his love of ancient knitting books and patterns. He has a great blog. Here's the link to Franklin's blog.

And of course, I purchased some items in the market from Morgaine, the owner of Carolina Homespun. I purchased a beautiful, handmade weaving shuttle and a niddy noddy (can you believe I didn't own a niddy noddy?).

I absolutely love teaching at Madrona Fiber Arts retreat. The students are enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and challenging. This year, I'm teaching three classes; double knitting, yarn substitution and a class I call "Going to the Dark Side" - how to knit with your opposite hand. I'm also teaching beginners in the rotunda on Friday. I love teaching beginners and seeing their "ah ha!" moments. The retreat begins Thursday, February 17th thru Sunday, February 20th.

I'm taking class on Thursday with Anita Luvera Mayer - a fiber artist. When people leave a class with Anita they say "She's changed my life". At this stage in my fiber arts career, having left yarn shop ownership, I'm ready for and embracing change. I'm taking "Play with Surface Design" where we will experiment with surface design on fabric and come home with samples of each technique experienced in class. Since I just started weaving I like the idea of painting my finished cloth, learning how to applique, burning felt and foiling my work. Anita is Thursday nights speaker and with have her extraordinary garments with her. Her garments have toured galleries around the country.

On Friday and Saturday, I mostly teach, but I'm looking forward to seeing friends and doing a little sightseeing. I have to make a stop at the Museum of Glass.

The Hotel Murano is beautiful. Here's a picture of the Lobby and one of their rooms. The hotel itself is a museum with different glass artists showcased on each floor.

The market is really great, catering to knitters, weavers and spinners. One of my favorite yarn shops, Churchmouse Yarns, is in the market this year, as well as Carolina Homespun, owned by the lovely Morgaine Wilder who helped me to start my weaving journey last year. I also love Toots LeBlanc and Black Water Abbey Yarns.

The hotel is within walking distance from the Museum of Glass and Tacoma Art Museum.

The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is a 500 foot pedestrian bridge that links the Museum of Glass to downtown Tacoma. Dale Chihuly is an American glass sculptor and his work is phenomenal. You have to go and see it!

Well, the 7th Harry Potter movie is coming out this weekend. The last book being split in two because it was too long to make into a two hour movie. Do you know where your Harry Potter knitting is? We do. Here are some links to get your Hogwarts knitting on! Most of these were found on Ravelry.com - An online fiber arts community.

We carry all the Cascade 220 Harry Potter Colors too!

This one is a hat called "Hermione-Hearts-Ron". We made this in the shop with some Hempathy for the summer months.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hermione-hearts-ron

Here's a Weasley Sweater - Just like the one Ms. Weasley knits up for her children (and Harry) every Christmas.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-weasley-sweater

These are great bookmarks. Are you reading the books over again?

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hogwarts-double-knitted-bookscarves

Here's a knitted snitch for the sports-enthusiast in your life.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-golden-snitch-3

Love the Quidditch Socks!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quidditch-socks

And...if you haven't seen it yet, here's the trailer link...

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/mainsite/index.html

We are loving River Twist here at StitchCraft. It looks handspun, it is hand dyed and it comes in the most beautiful colors. It's a 2 ply dk yarn. Each ply is hand dyed by the lovely people over at Mountain Colors. The ladies over at Mountain Colors are really sweet and a pleasure with which to work. They even donated a skein of this yarn to our Open House event!

Right now we're using it to make the lovely Brandywine Falls Shawl from Ravelry. Here is the link to download the pattern. Brandywine Falls shows off this yarn beautifully. And the pattern is very detailed and correct to boot! The pattern takes two of the River Twist hanks.

River twist would make a beautiful weft in a woven shawl as well!

We just love Manos del Uruguay yarns at StitchCraft. We carry the Clasica, Clasica Multi Colors, Silk Blend Multi Colors and we just added their Clasica Naturals and the new Maxima line.

The Manos Clasica line is a luxury workhorse yarn. Wool Clasica is hand-spun and kettle-dyed.  The natural variations in texture and color produce a rich knitted fabric ideal for outerwear; the yarn takes particularly well to simple stitch patterns and felts beautifully.  The broad color range is wonderful for home decor projects! We carry (from left to right) the solids, multi's and naturals.

Fiber Content: 100% wool
Yardage: approx. 100g, 138yd/125m
Gauge: 16 sts = 4″/10cm
Needle size: #9 US / 5.5mm

Manos Silk Blend is a luxurious blend of merino wool for softness with silk for luster and drape.  Perfect for indoor garments and transitional outerwear, its brilliant palette invites traditional colorwork.  The soft heathering of the fiber blend plus the gentle striations of the kettle-dyeing process also give depth and complexity to single-color projects.

Fiber Content: 70% merino wool, 30% silk
Yardage: approx. 50g, 150yds/135m
Gauge: 22-24 sts = 4″/10cm
Needle size: #4-6 US / 3.5-4mm
Care instructions: Handwash, dry flat

Maxima is a super soft and squishy kettle-dyed yarn. The worsted weight one-ply construction makes it a great all purpose yarn, and the fantastic yardage makes it perfect for 1 skein accessory projects. Fun, bright, intense colors will make your hand made item stand out from the crowd!

Fiber Content: 100% merino wool, kettle dyed
Yardage: approx. 218 yds/201 mts per 3.5 oz/100g skein
Gauge: 18-20 sts = 4�/10cm
Needle size: #7-#8 US/4.5 – 5 mm

We officially announce the beginning of sweater weather!!! It's rainy outside. With the rain comes the perfect time to start stitching...

Below are some cozy new patterns from our friends over on Bainbridge island - Churchmouse Patterns.

Here are some of the new books in the shop (and there are more than what's pictured below).

And we've expanded and moved the Lambs Pride section. One of your favorites. Doesn't it look pretty?

Betsy McCarthy's revised book Knit Socks! has arrived. We have a number of copies in stock, so if you want to reserve one you can call the shop and we'll put it aside for you. The book has eight new patterns and includes instructions for knitting socks on double pointed, two circular, and one long circular needle(s).

StitchCraft is hosting Betsy's Book Signing on Saturday, October 9th from 1pm - 3pm.

Betsy is teaching two beginning sock workshops at StitchCraft this fall. Tentative dates for the workshops are:

Tuesday, October 12th, 9am - 4pm
Sunday, November 7th, 9am - 4pm

You're welcome to get on a wait-list for these classes. Just call us at 360-993-2200.

Here's Betsy's Today Show appearance with Jane Pauley from last March.

Well, we are loaded with bags, cases and pouches! Here's Frost with what's new...

From Namaste handbags, we have the Hip Holster. Put your ball of sock yarn inside, hang it over your shoulder and knit and walk at the same time! And, we have their lovely circular needle cases with an accordion-style organizing system (because we know you have more than 10 circular needles).

In addition, there are Spud and Chloe reversible totes, little Namaste notions pouches, Blue Sky Pretty "Cheep" project bags and a variety of other handbags.

Here are the covers of the latest Rowan Magazines and Fall Vogue Knitting.

If you're a quilter or sewist, you'll love Amy Butler's new yarns and knitwear patterns. The yarn has a beautiful hand and comes in her cheerful colors. Here's the stats on the yarn:

Belle Organic DK
50% organic wool, 50% organic cotton
50grams/131 yards

Here are Autumn G's beautiful heirloom baby socks. Aren't they gorgeous? I believe the one on the left is from Nancy Bush's Folk Socks. Correct me if I'm wrong.

And...I took a load of preemie hats to Southwest Washington Medical Center last week. Thank you to all my customers who donated their time to make them. We submitted 21 hats this time. Please keep them coming!

Oh, this is going to be a long post! We are stocking up on new items for your fall knitting and crochet enjoyment. The holidays are coming sooner than you think, so you must get going on those projects so you don't get carpal tunnel in December!

First, we've got the infamous and limited edition of the Spud and Chloe project sacks. They're reversible and have the cute logo printed on them. Come and get one while the supply lasts.

We have new yarn!!! It's Cascade 128 Superwash. Sooooooo soft and squishy and in Cascades's most popular colors.

The Stats:
128 yards, 100g
100% merino wool
100% machine wash

We've got some new books too!!!

And, we decided the shop needed to be freshened up a bit. Here's the new arrangement.