Knitting In Mind

Madrona 2008

February 20, 2008 at 10:16 pm 3 comments

Madrona, the 2008 Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat,
I took Jean Wong’s two-day Tailored Knitting the Japanese Way class. Wow! It was GREAT. She showed us how to Measure For and Layout a pattern along with lots of design tips and guidelines throughout. It was so much information, I couldn’t process it all during class, I had to go home and keep thinking about it. I had heard good things about Jean Wong and her classes and it was all true. She has a head full of knitting knowledge and is determined to impart as much as possible into her students. Kind of like an adorable Drill Sergeant.

It got to the point where I started photographing her notes:

Yeah. That’ll help.

(In truth, it does make sense. Sorta. Um. I need to think.)

I’m glad I signed up for only one class, because I could not handle any more learning immediately after her class. I was full up.

For my homework pattern I chose this sweater from Poetry In Stitches by Solveig Hisdal:

Here is the beautiful Hifa2 yarn:

Here is my swatch:

Notice the difference between the bottom row and top row. On the bottom row I carried the pink yarn below the green yarn and in the upper row I carried the pink above the green. The difference is most noticeable in the leaf veins. I tried the two different carries because I took Sally Melville’s color classes last year at Madrona. She is fantastic, if you ever get a chance to take a class with her, do it. She is a great teacher. I have her Color book, which is also fantastic. She emphasized being consistent with carrying yarns because it affects the appearance.

So now I have to decide which one I like better.

Oh Yeah! here’s my fairly controlled yarn purchases, I managed control only because my stash is getting ridiculous:

from Blue Moon:

STR: Braun’s Woods, Turquoise, Rare Gems one-of-a-kind, Lover’s Leap, Haida, Rook-y

The Raven Clan colors are cool, but I don’t think I could possibly choose without seeing them in person.

from Knit Purl:

HABU cashmere A-34 color 3701 (red) and color 4707 (eggplant)

The yardage is 202yds for the red and only 182yds for the eggplant. Weird.

also from Knit Purl:

Shibui Sock in Sky 3115. Someone referred to this as “neon turquoise” and that is a perfect description.

I love Knit Purl in Portland, OR, they have the most fabulous selection of cashmere and silk and ooooooooo. And everyone is super nice.

Entry filed under: Madrona. Tags: Jean Wong, Madrona, Poetry In Stitches.