Madrona Fiber Arts

Today I went to the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat in Tacoma, WA. The retreat itself is a four-day thing with a full schedule of teachers and classes, but I just visited the market. There was much to see. There were quite a few local vendors, some I'd not heard of before, but also some from as far away as New York. I was tempted by a shawl designed and sold as a kit by Catherine Lowe, and the folks at Toots LeBlanc were also back this year with their version of a shawl in wool and angora.

But my purchases were restricted to 4 skeins of Black Water Abbey yarn worsted weight:


to make this, the damask pillow cover, below center (from Rowan no. 18). I realize the colors are similar to the ones in the picture, but I really did pick them based on the colors in the rug next to the bench where the pillow will go.


My other purchase was one skein of this, 85% angora and 15% merino hand-dyed yarn from Butternut Woolens. Butternut Woolens is run by Shelly Whitman, who raises angora rabbits, clips them herself, and dyes her own yarns and combed top in earthy, muted hues. On top of that, she's a super nice lady. This yarn is so soft, but not terribly fluffy like a lot of angoras, and has some weight to it. Shelly told me that her angora doesn't shed all over everything like commercially processed angora, which is the main drawback with this fiber. The color I bought is Meadow Sage. I have plans for a pair of gloves, and 2 oz is enough for that.


All in all, it was a fun visit and a good place to be inspired.

A project in the wings

Just arrived is this 100% alpaca yarn from Meadowview Alpaca Farm in Ontario. Meadowview Farm is owned by a couple who retired to the country to have their dream property of a hobby farm, where they raise alpacas and offer fiber for sale. Denise is who I spoke with and she's very nice. This cone is 0.7 lbs and 1050 yards, or 165 yards per 50 g, which is a little heavier than fingering weight.


It's a beautiful fawn colored fiber produced by Alfie, the handsome fellow below. He looks white but underneath is the beautiful shade of fawn. Now to find the perfect project. A shawl would be lovely and warm.


Pookie probably doesn't make enough appearances on my blog. Here she is keeping me company in my drawing/fiber studio. She can be counted on to join me any day I have the portable heater on. (She's not winking at you, she only has one eye.) This is our hanging out time together.

Rowan 43 is here!

I was at my LYS yesterday and happened to see the latest Rowan, no. 43, at the register. I had a brief conversation with the woman working, and we agreed that Rowan has finally recovered from the departure of Kim Hargreaves. There's just an awful lot of good stuff in this issue! Below are just the ones I thought would suit me. There are quite a few others that are gorgeous (a crocheted dress, for example), but I don't think they would suit me as well as these.


Astral by Erika Knight, in 4-ply cotton. What you can't see without clicking on the photo is the eyelets along the seams.

Eerie by Sarah Hatton in Kidsilk Haze.

Geno by Marie Wallin in 4-ply Cotton.

Spirit by Erika Knight.

Granite by Erika Knight in Bamboo Tape.