Madrona.2: What I Got

This year, the Madrona winter retreat held many firsts for me.  It was my first year to attend as a teacher, in addition to being a student.  It was the first time I taught the "Eeek! Steeks!" class to 24 students.  And it was the first time I ever had my photo taken with a life-size plastic horse (please don't ask).

Another truly unbelieverable first:  My "Eeek! Steeks!" students bought me a present.  As a token of their gratitude for my having made all the sample swatches for them, they brought forth nothing less than this gorgeous skein of cashmere.  Not kidding - these students just blew my mind.  It's Spirit Trail Fiberworks "Sunna" in violet.  And the big kicker?  They hadn't even been to the class yet!  Hope I didn't let them down.

The official Mary Scott Huff New Product Worth Seeing award, which I totally just made up, is herewith presented to Jeanne Humphrey, whose innovation will surely rock the world of stranded colorwork knitting.  Get a load of this Genius:

Truly, if there is anyone in the world who needs this killer apron more than I do, I challenge you to come forth and identify yourself.  It's specially made to hold all your balls of yarn at the same time, so they don't tangle, get dirty, or ensnare your legs when the doorbell rings.  No Lie - this is a product whose time has come.  You can even get extra snap-on pocket sets, so you can gear up with the project du jour and knit like the wind, UPS man or no.  Stay tuned for more on this one - I'm gonna give it the full workout as soon as I'm able, because I think Jeanne's sort of behavior should be encouraged.

And just because I know my Gentle Readers, and your lust for all things you haven't seen/felt/tasted before, here is something Truly New:
 

The gifted souls at Rain Shadow Farm have made Candy.  It looks like yarn, but trust me:  It's Candy.  Gorgeous, dreamy, fine, delicious Candy.  In all the colors of the first primroses.  And I bought some to celebrate the return of Spring.  "Orca" is an indescribably gorgeous blend of 65% Coopworth Lambswool and 35% Silk that literally melts in your hands.  This is the kind of precious yarn that has been made by hand, with the love and care you might save for an heirloom christening gown.  The pain-in-the-ass rolls that Thanksgiving is incomplete without.  The apple butter you make every year by calibrating Greenwich Mean Time with the Dark of the Moon and the harvest of the fruit...

Gush much?  You will too.  And if all that weren't enough, the names are to die for:  "Venus on the Half Shell"; "Bernadette".  This is the yarn you have been waiting for.  Call 360-297-4485 and give the person who answers all your money.  You will not be wrong.

Knit On, my Friends.  

Madrona.1: Who I Met

Last weekend I had the great good fortune to attend the Madrona Winter Retreat, in Tacoma, WA.  I taught classes, attended classes, spun, knit, shopped and generally played until I dropped.  Among the many knitterati and fiberistas in attendance, I managed to attain photo evidence of these:

Carson Demers and Anne Berk

Jane Slicer-Smith

Willy.  The Chinchilla.  Who is in the running for most interesting thing brought to one of my classes.

You never know what you will find when you wander the streets of a new city:  It's like the Mother Ship was calling me home.

I'm still recuperating, but there's lots more to tell! 

I left Phillip and the Smallies to their own devices in order to attend Madrona, so there were a number of chores waiting for me upon my return home.  I'll tell you the rest after I get the gravy off the ceiling.  

Catkins

My preparations for the Madrona Winter Retreat have included finishing the Catkins Cardigan for its big debut:

I can't believe the enthusiasm you've shown for this design, Gentle Readers, as I've been working on the pattern and traveling around meeting knitters.  Knowing you were looking forward to seeing it really inspired me; Thank you so very, very much dear friends. 

It's not often that I still love my designs right when I'm done with them.  I usually require a time out before I can play nicely with them again.  Catkins is a notable exception.  It's going on tour with Toots LeBlanc & Co.; coming soon to a town near you!  I'll miss it.  Give it my love if you happen to see it.  Or better still, make your own...Imagine a knitterly Catkin Explosion to herald the spring!  Pattern in four sizes, to fit 36-46 inch busts.  Get it here on my pattern page, on Ravelry, or a real live printed copy at the Toots LeBlanc booth, wherever they appear.

PS:  A little bird told me that the artist who makes the Fine Silver Catkins Buttons will be at Madrona, with a few sets on hand to sell.  Interested parties (did I mention each button is signed, like jewelry?) should e-mail me for her contact info.