First Person
The Teachers of MDK Knitting Getaway (Plus a Giveaway)
By design, the MDK Knitting Getaway did not have a lot of structure; the whole point was to relax, laugh, and knit on the idyllic campus of St. Andrew’s Sewanee School. But it did have gentle hints of structure, to enrich our knitting lives and give us contexts in which to interact and get to know each other. Getawayers could sit and knit indoors or out, wander in nature, flop on a flotation device in the lake until mealtime, or, if they liked, they could show up for one of the four two-hour classes on offer.
We were so, so lucky that these outstanding teachers said yes to participating in our first-ever MDK Knitting Getaway. Each is a star in her field and full of adventure, so we heartily recommend that you follow them wherever they lead.
At the end of these short profiles of our beloved teachers, read about how to enter a giveaway to win one of the three MDK Knitting Getaway swag bags that we saved just for readers.
Catharine Ellis
Photo by Shakerag Workshops.
Textile artist and practitioner Catharine Ellis is in residence for the full two weeks of Shakerag Workshops, teaching natural dyeing. Our knitting getaway participants got a short, rich introduction to her practice that left many wishing for more. Catharine is not only a master dyer but a delightful and expert instructor, no doubt from decades of teaching the Fiber Program at Haywood Community College in North Carolina.
Photo by Liz Kaplan.
You can find Catharine regularly on her beautiful blog. Look for her forthcoming book, The Art and Science of Natural Dyes: Principles, Experiments and Results, a comprehensive reference and guide which will be published in October. (Don’t worry, we’ll remind you!) Catharine also is the author of The Weaver’s Studio: Woven Shibori (Revised and Updated 2016).
Julia Farwell-Clay
The gig of Dr. Knit Fix-It at a knitting getaway is not for the faint of heart, but Julia Farwell-Clay was up for it. Fifteen minutes into her first session, I wandered into the library, where a queasy-looking knitter informed me that Julia had just cut into someone’s pullover to fix a mis-crossed cable. In front of God and everybody!
The sweater and its knitter (the brave and also trusting Jo Meyer) both survived, and Julia went on to fix other whoopses, and quell other knitterly anxieties. By the end of the weekend, knitters were actually referring to Julia as Dr. Fix-it; it seemed disrespectful to call her by her first name.
It’s always short rows, isn’t it? Here, Julia and Amy deconstruct a store-bought knit, with tamara looking on.
Julia is a regular contributor here on MDK, from her Mind of a Designer series to the Eddy Wrap, a beautiful pattern that flowed from Julia’s fascination with the shell-themed stitch pattern of a Prada sweater. Julia’s writing and design work has appeared in every knitting magazine you can name, and she also is the author of From Folly Cove, a collection of designs for Classic Elite.
Can I share a secret that we spilled at Sewanee? Julia is the designer for the next MDK Field Guide. Stay tuned! It’s coming later this month. We can’t wait!
You can find Julia’s designs on Ravelry, and follow her on Instagram, where she sometimes shows tantalizing glimpses of designs-in-progress. (Lately a lot of them have shells.)
Liz Kaplan
The wannabe crocheters of Oakland and San Francisco are blessed to have Liz Kaplan residing among them, and the Knitting Getaway got a little of her magic. Who knew knitters were so interested in learning to crochet? Liz’s classes were packed.
It’s not easy to switch into beginner’s mind, and make your fingers and brain do something that is like knitting, but decidedly NOT knitting. Liz was patient and encouraging. She knew more than one way in.
Announcement: I made a granny square! The more adept crochet learners made covers for rocks. The class was so successful that people kept crocheting all weekend, so as not to forget what they’d learned.
Liz is an MDK contributor, and a steady source of ideas and support behind the scenes. (Her piece, Why I Crochet, is particularly relevant.) It was so gratifying to share her with the Getaway crowd. (I’m crazy jealous that Liz is still there, going from teacher to student at Shakerag Workshops, this week and next.)
Follow Liz on Instagram, where the next couple of weeks are guaranteed to be artsy and pastoral.
Gale Zucker
Gale Zucker is, as advertised, a top-notch professional photographer of “real people in real places.” To that, we would add, “in real knitwear.” No other photographer is as steeped in the sensibility of handmade and hand-knit as Gale. For years now, Gale has been sharing her photo skills in classes especially for knitting people. All of our Instagram feeds and Ravelry browsings are better for Gale’s ongoing ministry of good photography and generous sharing of tips and tricks.
(Gale on the job as photographer, Stephanie B on the job as model. Photo by @pshorten.)
One of the Getaway’s highlights for me was Gale’s talk on Friday night, where she shared photos of a very recent trip to gather and shear the sheep of Nash Island, Maine. It’s hard to believe that this magical event still occurs in 2018, but Gale’s vivid photos and reportage prove that it sure enough does still occur. One day I’ll stow away on the boat, and come home covered in lanolin and vegetable matter, happy as a freshly shorn ewe at the start of summer.
A funny memory: the Getawayer who ruefully recounted how she was all set to snap a picture of the dining room’s iconic mug collection, and realized that Gale was standing next to her, taking the same shot–only better. That’s just the way it is. Mugs know better than to mess with Gale. They line right up.
Gale is the photographer and a co-author of the book Drop-Dead Easy Knits, which would be one of our favorite knitting books even if we hadn’t made a small contribution to it.
Find Gale’s work on her blog, her photography website, here on MDK where she pioneered the Knitter’s Weekend series, and of course, on Instagram (where you can find my favorite Getaway photo).
Swag Bag Giveaway
What would a knitting retreat be without swag? Specifically, a swag bag?
The MDK Knitting Getaway bag had some super special features:
- Original art by Mrs. Ann Shayne of Nashville, Tennessee. (I helped with the jokes, mainly by laughing at them. I mean, come on: personal ovine? One per room? I don’t think many of us would refuse a fluffy li’l roommate for the weekend.)
- Capaciousness. This is a canvas grocery tote bag, with a nice flat bottom, which comes in handy.
- Inside: a collection of fresh, hot, delicious swag, donated by the finest vendors in all the land. Mini skeins! Maxi skeins! Gadgets! Clever things! Fun fun fun!
(Note: swag details may vary.)
We would like to thank the following vendors for their kind donations of swag and door prizes, and encourage you to follow them on Instagram for more of their beautifulness.
We set aside three of these bags for a reader giveaway.
How To Enter the Giveaway
Pay attention, now. To enter the giveaway, here’s what you do:
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Sign up for Snippets (see the bottom of this page). If you’re already getting Snippets, the happiest email newsletter, every Saturday, you are covered.
That’s all! Just sign up for Snippets. We’ll draw 3 winners at random from the Snippets subscriber list as it stands on Sunday, June 17 at 5 p.m. Central Time. We’ll notify the winners by email.
what fun!!!!!
Wish I could have been there!!!
Sounds like a great time!
So glad the retreat was a success! It sure looked fun.
I wish I could have been there! Thanks for the embedded links.
Already Snippeting, next time will be Shakeragging!
thank you so much!
Snippets is a great way to start my weekend…always such fun!
Glad I’m covered. I love giveaways!
Thanks for telling us what we missed!
So much fun. Thanks for the chance to win.
Awesome bag design, Ann!
I covet one of those swag bags so much. I am crossing all of my fingers and toes. What a wonderful, wonderful getaway. Wow. And a Field Guide at the end of the month? You know I’ll be picking one up!
” I helped with the jokes mainly by laughing at them”… Kay, you kill me!
The bag itself is so lovely and so clever; and, the contents are Divine. Can’t thank you guys enough!
looks like a lotta fun!
Please design a Getaway Bag for your shop! The bag looks fabulous with the square flat bottom and button closure – so very useful. please, please, please!!!
I’ve just found Modern Daily Knitters. I hope I ever lose you folks. Wish I could have been there!
You ladies always make me smile…and make me want to retire so I can just knit all day…You are dangerous!
I’m so jealous!
WooHoo! Thanx for sharing. Sounds like one of the best times ever. I am now anxiously awaiting the next field guide. 🙂
Wish I could have been there and appreciate the notes and pics and online market so as to include us. Maybe next year. I have been enjoying Snippets for a few years.
Looked like a fun weekend
Love reading Snippets
I can tell that y’all are still glowing… What a great get-away!
A knitting retreat is at the top of my bucket list. (Well, right after Iceland.)
Wonderful! Thank you to vendors for thinking of us who can’t get away!
Please host this event again! There are so many would-be get awayers awaiting!
Big linen shirt and party shoes!! My cutting edge look.
The Snippets segment is brilliant. It’s how I catch up after a grueling week of work.
One of these days I will make it to an MDK getaway. Until then, thanks for letting me live vicariously.
Looks like a great getaway was had by all!
The Getaway sounds heavenly!
Thanks for giving a taste of it as a giveaway! ❤️
Loved the bios of the fabulous teachers, and the fun photos. I’d have loved to have been there too, but hopefully there’s a next year???
Looks like it was a wonderful camp! I wish I could have joined you guys. That swag bag & its contents look delicious, so I’m hoping to be picked as a winner!
Never heard of you all I’m glad I opened this article
Hot diggitty dog! You’re the bestest. Thanks for all that you add to the knitting world.
Wish I could have joined the party. Seems like a truly magical time!
It was so nice to get to the bottom and realize that I was caught up! Been getting Snippets for quite a while so there was nothing more to do. Ahhhh…free to enjoy National Sewing Machine Day to the fullest!
The giveaway sounds GREAT!!!
It sounds like you all had a great time. I have on my bucket list to go on a knitting retreat. Some day.
So wish I could have been there!!
That is a serious swag bag!
I would have loved to shadow Dr. Fix-It the entire time…I tend to undo instead of fix my mistakes, to the point of knitting each of the three baby sweaters that I made for a dear friend TWICE. Amazing giveaway, love that bag and all the goodies inside!
Congratulations on your successful first getaway. It all looked so fun and relaxing. Here’s to many more!
Oh how I wish I had been there! I’m signed up for Snippets already! Hope I win this lovely prize!!!
I wanna Shakerag next year!!
Thanks for sharing all about the retreat – so glad everyone had a great time!
Ann, love your artfully humorous swag bag, and even more knowing you too laugh at your own jokes! 1st packing list item Big Linen Shirt — my daily uniform — ✔ Now to just bring my mad knitting skills up to getaway weekend worthy
A bad case of FOMO. Sounds wonderful.
Love the photos and report! I wasn’t able to make it this year – I hope you do it again next year 🙂
Love your blog! It is one that I actually subscribe to – most I follow in my reader. I especially enjoy the suggestions for music, podcasts,etc to knit by.
Thanks so much!!
Thank you for sharing! I live vicariously through others who travel.
what a well put together bag.
I so badly wanted to be there – but it was my husbands milestone birthday weekend and our anniversary weekend. It would not have been wise this year!
Great post with all the links. A bit sad to be back in real life.
The intense stares on our faces sum up the seriousness with which Dr. Fix-It performs her diagnostics on the patient. So glad there wasn’t a camera around when she was performing open cable surgery on Jo’s cardigan. We were aghast! She was a calm and experienced surgeon. Much like open heart surgery, it’s probably something I won’t try at home, but it was a thrill to be in her presence while she repaired the cable. And talk about beginner mind! It was the hardest, most humbling part of the weekend. I’m so grateful for all the teachers and their inspiration.
Took a class from everyone and spied on one. Hope that doesn’t make me b-a-d. The teacher’s were all wonderful and were approachable throughout our time at the “camp”. Willing and eager to offer advice and answer questions. A total treat!
Thanks for spilling the beans (w/photo evidence) for those of us who couldn’t be there. Looks and sounds like a fabulous weekend!
It would have been so wonderful to be there!
So much knowledge !
I wish I could read the labels on that swag photo!
woo hoo!
Wish I could have gone to the getaway, I would have soaked up the classes!
It looks like everyone had a grand time!
Love that bag! Looks like y’all had an amazing time. 🙂
Pick me! Pick me! 🙂
As a newbie knitter I have become totally addicted to MDK Knitting, the yarns, the easy peasy patterns and totally to the MDK Field Guides… So much so that I’ve converted several other newbies to MDK… Now we have a weekly MDK Newbie Knit Group… Thank you for coming into my life!
Looks like you all had an amazing weekend!
What amazing teachers…and what a fabulous swag bag!!!! Thanks to everyone for contributing three to giveaway!!!
oooohhh…no essay!
I want one!!!
Next time let me know. It’s great stuff but it needs a good brownie.
Yay! So thoughtful!
What a delightful Swag bag, especially the art ! So clever. MDK
Certainly knows how to throw a retreat, wish I had been there. The
Goodies in the bag look delightful…
Who doesn’t love a bag of goodies!!!
The photo of the mugs prompted me to get out two hand made cups in my cupboard that have the same rustic beauty. Mug of tea in my hands, knitting in my lap, now I feel like I’m at my own little getaway. Thanks for sharing!
What fun you all had! Wish I could have been there. Loved reading about all the instructors. Love the name Dr-Fix-It!
Thank you! Snippets coming my way!
Love the relaxed attitude described at your camp!
Gosh, I’d love to do this some day! So much fun!
How wonderful! So much fun, so much yarn, so many knitters! I wish I could have been there, especially after this lovely recap.
Looks like you had an awesome time at the retreat. Wish I had been there.
Awwww SHUCKS! Thank you! That was one swell getaway.
I love Snippets!
I do get Emil’s from you, not sure if that is Snippetts.
Oh, thanks for thinking of those of us who couldn’t attend. Enjoyed reading about the getaway. Maybe I will make it next time!
All of this is wonderful – even though I enjoy it vicariously!
I’m a member of Snippets and enjoy it every Saturday!
If the winner needs a US address, I do have one.
Now all I have to do is win!
What a great sounding get together!
I can’t wait for Saturday’s. Not only because it is the weekend but because I get Snippets in my box!!! You girls make my day!! I’m out here in the knitting deprived and depend on that weekly jolt of yarn mania. Thank you. You brighten my day !!!
It was a great weekend…beautiful setting, wonderful food, interesting classes, and lots of knitting! I and my friend enjoyed it so much. Thank you for making it all possible.
Fun Bag! Lovely contents! Sounds like I missed a great time…boo!
Awesome!
How cool! Look forward to Saturday AM every week.
Thank you for letting us in on your weekend with a lovely opportunity to win a swag bag! ♥️♥️♥️
Thanks for sharing the Getaway with all of us who couldn’t attend. It looks like a fun, fabulous time was had by all!
great ideas
Shakerag-new destination Knitting retreat. Looks so amazing. Please do repeat camp for crafters again at Sewanee!
What a wonderful eclectic group!! So sorry I have to miss….any chance of doing the same (or similar) in the beautiful Pacific Northwest?
I’m catching up on a week of blog posts and am looking forward to finding out if Ann really brought a drum carder to the Getaway…
I love that we have the same great taste in party shoes!! <3
Love it
Love the MDK aesthetic and the weekly snippets are fun to read.
I want to go next year. When do sign ups begin??
Could not attend this summer but hoping you hold another MDK Getaway in the coming year. Swag bag looks amazing!
Wonderful post!
Yay! Thanks to snippets I can be incommunicado and still have a chance at winning! What a retreat it must have been!
I will love to be there!