I drove down to Madison to join my mother at the Madison Knitters Guild Knit In. She had volunteered to serve as vendor coordinator. I volunteered to serve as her minion. All day Friday we scurried around, helping to orient the vendors, answering questions and directing them to their reserved booths. That evening we retired to the Clarion Hotel lobby for a welcome glass of complementary wine.
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We shared the lobby with a large crowd of folks who were there to attend a model train show. They beat us to the lobby and the wine, being chronically on-time, as train enthusiasts are known to be.
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After our refreshment, we headed over to listen to Patty Lyons’ keynote speech. What a hoot!
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She gave a talk about the importance of knitting gauge swatches.
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Gauge swatch: also known as the lying liar who lies to us.
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While we were there we got to enjoy some awesome knitwear creations close-up.
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I need me these clogs.
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The next day, I thew myself into classes. I took two classes from Mary Germain (she of the fabulous color work sweater below). One class was devoted to different kinds of Latvian mitten cuffs: scalloped braid, twisted garter, and garter colorwork.
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The other class was all about Estonian lace. Here’s my pitiful first attempt at nupps. Gack!
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Now this is what I’m talkin’ about. Now those are nupps.
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During my breaks I shopped feverishly. There were so many wonderful vendors. Mom told me they had twice as many this year as last.
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This guy makes the most awesome felted flowers and killer hats.
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Later that night I met up with some friends for dinner at Grandpa’s Pizza on Willy St., followed by a trip to the Old Sugar Distillery. So many tasty new places have popped up in Madison since I moved away.
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Later that evening, I joined other knitters in the Clarion Lobby for more knitting and carousing. These knitters really know how to carouse. Jammies and all.
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On Saturday, more classes. This time an all day class on Latvian mittens.
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A lively string band spiced things up in the common area at lunch time. I wish they had been there on Saturday too.
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A wonderful trip. I’ll definitely come back to the Knit In in future years.
All She Wants To Do Is Knit 
Oh, I miss Madison! Sounds like you had a great time. Wish I had been there but thanks for sharing with those of us who are in other parts of the country.
Did you ever live in Madison?
Nice photos. Sounds like you had a great time!
I’ve not been to Knit In since we moved to California almost three years ago. I hope to get back home. Spry Whimsy is in my hometown (which reminds me, I need to order some things from them) and Jennie is a friend I met through the Guild.
Now I’m missing home again. ::sigh::
(I followed your Tumblr post to the blog…and it may now wind up on my blogreader…)…..
Welcome! What else does Spry Whimsey have besides awesome hats?
What fun! Fifteen years and I’ve never taken a knitting class…the mitten class looks like it was great 🙂
I never regret a knitting class.
You sure know how to pack in the fun! I like that striped, knitted vest. The Lacey nupps looked like budding flowers.
I like that striped vest too. You have to know what works on your body and how to wear it right. She sure does.
That sounds lovely 🙂
OOOH Looks like it was fun!!!!
It certainly was.
Looks like a great time! When knitters get together, good things happen!
And we all enable each other in the market. 🙂
Looks like a good time, and some serious deliciousness!
You’re right. I’ve tried to find decent honey liquor back home. So far my first try is pretty bleh. Maybe I just need to mail order the stuff I already know is good. That and actually look up some real recipes.
Mead is actually not that hard to make if you just want the honey flavor. If you want liquor though, I like Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey.
Swooning with adoration!
Thanks. We had such a good time.
Oh boy, lots of knitting fun! … gotta get me some of those flannel sheep jammies, too 🙂 ♥ ❤
I spy Vicki knitorious in her Going Off the Deep End shawl behind that Tasty Honey Cup!
Are you going to Yarnover?
Hah yes you do. It was really nice to meet her. I’ll see you at Yarnover.