Back from the Madison (Wisconsin) Knitting Guild Adventure

I'm back at our little farm from my fast and furious trip to Madison. The purpose of my trip was to teach a couple of classes and speak to the Madison Knitting Guild. I don't travel much - in fact barely at all anymore. But as I told my students at the guild, the Program Chair Barbara Rottman (who is now the President of the MKG) was tenacious at bugging me to come and speak. It was a long way and several flights and two full days traveling. I can't say I am wanting to go away again anytime soon. 

That said, I had a great trip. Mary Jo, the new Program Chair picked me up from the little friendly airport. I was there early enough for a fantastic tour of Madison. What a beautiful small city (233,000 people). It is a popular place for people to retire to. The Capital is beautiful and the location between 2 lakes is awesome. 

Barbara drove me all through the University of Wisconsin. What a school - clean, well maintained, beautiful architecture. Madison sits snuggled between two huge lakes and the school sits right next to one of them. There are 43,000 students. Funny thing is I had applied and was accepted to the University of Wisconsin when I was going to Graduate School for Textiles. I chose Colorado State because they gave me a better financial package and a paying job. I think I would have loved Wisconsin - although I loved CSU too. 

Barbara drove me past the School of Human Ecology where I would have gone. I was in hysterics because the building was named Nancy Nicholas Hall. That is the name of my Mom and Sister No. 4. How funny. NO - it is not named for my mom but named after Wisconsin alum Nancy Nicholas who is the wife of Ab Nicholas - founder of The Nicholas Fund. But I had to take the photo anyway. 

Did you know that Columbus Day isn't a holiday in Wisconsin like it is here in Massachusetts? Well it isn't. So I was impressed that the Guild was able to get so many students to my two daytime classes. We had a great day. I totally forgot to take photos (once again) but my friend and fellow author Susan B. Anderson did post some on her IG feed. That is where this photo of Susan's work from the Embroidery on Knits class came from. It was great to have Susan and all the other students in the class. (Did you know Susan has a Video Podcast on YouTube now? Susan is awesome. She is just as nice as you suspect from her blog, podcast and sweet books.) 

Photo by Susan B. Anderson showing what she did in my morning class

I didn't bring too many samples with me because of the baggage weight restrictions. I did drag along my double bed size Swatch Blanket from my new book Crafting a Colorful Home. It was a hit. Here is Susan's photo of a detail from it. 

Photo of my Swatch Blanket by Susan B. Anderson

One of my students - I think her name was Rae - brought her collection of Turkish Wool Socks to show me. These knit samples were stiff as a board and made from very coarse handspun wool. They were so finely knit - probably 10 sts/inch. She is lucky she bought them when she did a few decades ago. I doubt textiles like this are easily available anymore. Gorgeous - thanks for sharing with all of us Rae. 

After a quick bite to eat - where I got a chance to try Wisconsin's famous Cheese Curds - I headed back to the Promega Biopharmeceutical Technology Center where the guild meets. What a fantastic facility they are able to rent because of their non-profit status. The street was packed with cars and inside stores had selling booths set up. The Madison Knitting Guild has many charitable activities that it does every year including a program for knitting hats, mittens, etc to give to homeless shelters and others who might need warm things. Here is Ada (who was in one of my classes) and another member with the enormous pile of handknits that were brought in that evening. Amazingly generous knitters.

After all the "Pre" activities, the meeting convened. The auditorium was packed with about 300 knitters. 

Yikes! I was hoping I didn't disappoint. 

The talk went well and after it, many knitters who have followed my career for many years came up to chat. It was a fun night and I hope I opened some of their eyes to the possibilities of color, design, and art. 

Thanks so much for inviting me Madison Knitting Guild. What wonderful, enthusiastic knitters and people. Now it is back to normal life and getting a good chunk of work done.