On Wednesday I’ll be saying goodbye to the island and heading all the way to Wisconsin. I’ll be at Yellow Dog Knitting in Eau Clair on Thursday evening from 6-8 and The Knitting Tree in Madison on Saturday from 12-3 :) I’m going to Wisconsin because so many people invited me when I first blogged about my trip so hopefully I’ll see some of you there! Any suggestions of places to stay in Madison at the weekend would also be wonderful.
After Wisconsin I’ll be heading to Chicago and update you with event details for there asap :) If you’d like me to visit your store there let me know!
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
thank you ysolda for all of this nice pics and the time you take to write all for us .You are a very nice person! Enjoy all .
Hi Ysolda,
You’re welcome to stay at my place in Madison. I have a spare bedroom and I think I can rumage up a bed to put in it for you. I’m about 2 miles from downtown — and another 5 miles or so to the Knitting Tree. I have a dog, and my place is not super spiffy, but it is comfortable enough on most days. If it suits your fancy, you are welcome to crash here. Wishing you safe travels.
I’m enjoying following your adventures around the States! And wanting to let you know, I’m currently making Elijah for my new nephew. Thanks for the great pattern!!
That’s so great that you’re coming to Madison! The Knitting Tree is my local-est YS (~1 mile walk), so I’ll definitely stop by. Unfortunately I can’t offer you a place to crash as I live with my parents, but I see you’ve already got an offer. Depending how long you’re staying in Madison, there’s a good chance I might be able to do some showing around of local sights. I’m quite familiar with the area around the Knitting Tree as well as downtown–it would be great if you e-mailed me when scheduling your weekend!
Aww man, I grew up in Madison! I had no idea you were going there. I was thinking of going home this weekend, and now I think I will! I live in Milwaukee.
Oh gosh, we have completely opposite timing!! I’ll be leaving Wisconsin (near Eau Claire) and arriving in Edinburgh on Thursday! Maybe we’ll be able to meet up at K1 sometime in July :)
So close to Minnesota and the Twin Cities! If I weren’t coordinating a wedding this weekend I’d be making the drive out to meet you. I hope you continue to have a wonderful time in the states.
I’m excited to see when you’re in Chicago! I might actually drive the five hours to come and see you from Iowa!!!
oh, yay! you’re coming to the midwest! i didn’t dare to hope, as it is a bit of a leap from the east coast! update with whens and wheres for chicago!
I went to Madison for a conference last year and loved it. You have to have a beer on the university terrace by the lake and try some of the icecream in the students’ union. In Chicago we stayed at International House on the edge of the University campus. It takes about 15-20 mins on the suburban railway from downtown.
http://ihouse.uchicago.edu/
I think I’m just going to miss your Chicago dates on my visit to see my parents. Shoot!
Enjoy WI, we’ll be leaving Wisconsin, heading to Michigan for my brother’s wedding.
Have fun in Wisconsin! :)
Ysolda — I just spent a weekend in Chicago on a “yarn-hunt,” and came across a delightful store called Loopy Yarns (47 W Polk St, Chicago, IL, 312-583-9276). Wonderful yarns, and very hip friendly people. If you’re still up for a day trip south to Urbana, we’d love to have you at Klose Knit! Let us know what dates you will be in Chicago.
– sarah dolinar, urbana, IL
What good timing – I’m moving to Chicago next Monday! Hope to catch you at one of the local stores.
Enjoying following your trip on the blog. You should come to London in the UK though, I am so jealous that Americans get to see all your patterns in person before I do!
I didn’t know you were coming to WI, but this is the first weekend in May when I don’t have something planned, so I’ll definitely see you at the Knitting Tree.
I would also like to offer a place to stay, my partner and I have a modest place on the east side, with lots of yarn and art. Although, not right close to the Knitting Tree we are right on the bus line and a short ride away. I am excited to see you at the Knitting Tree either way.
I too am ready to offer up my home for your visit! I live on the near east side of Madison. Five miles east of the Knitting Tree. We live right on the main bike path that goes downtown. We have a couple of cruisers if you want to bike downtown – I’d be happy to show you around my beautiful lake-filled Madison. We have tons of fun shops/restaurants/cafes etc.
As for the house: me, my husband and my Boston Terrier Kaiser live there. You would have your own purple and green room (my stepdaughter’s room – she’s in NC until later this summer). But I warn you – Kaiser is known to eat yarn if you leave it unattended! If you are curious, you can see more of our house at my house blog: http://litterboxhouse.blogspot.com/
Oh and how can I forget about showing you our downtown farmer’s market (Sat morning), climbing to the top of our capitol building, and Olbrich Gardens? There is so much to do in Madison… I’m sure you will have fun.
I’m delighted to hear that you will be coming to Madison!
If you are looking for a hotel in Madison, I would recommend the Campus Inn, http://www.thecampusinn.com/ . It is just off State Street (the major pedestrian street with a number of shops, restaurants and bars), situated between the University and the capital, and about 3 miles from the Knitting Tree.
And I second the suggestions to drink beer and watch sailboats on the University’s Union terrace and to wander around the farmer’s market at the capital on Saturday morning.
If you aren’t busy Saturday morning you should head over to the Farmer’s Market downtown around the Capitol Square.
There are a lot of tasty baked goods, fresh flowers and CHEESE!! <3 Also, there are some adorably quaint coffee shops; my favourite is Michaelangelo’s.
My friend and I are selling potter/jewelery before we head over to the Knitting Tree; there are tons of booths branching off from the Square and usually some live music.
Save travels!!!
I’m excited that you’re coming to Madison! The most recent project I finished was my second Rose Red beret.
We have friends in town for the weekend, but hopefully I’ll have time to stop by on Saturday to say hi and pick up a copy of your book.
Mary aka Turtleknitter has a nice house in a prime location, with a very friendly dog, and she makes killer Indian food. Plus she’s one of the most fabulous people ever, so I totally think you should take her up on her offer of lodging. But if not, the Madison youth hostel is very cute and centrally located, just off the main square; or in a slightly higher price range, there’s an eco-B&B down the street from The Knitting Tree called Arbor House that looks really cute. My parents just came to town and stayed at the Doubletree Inn, which may be a big chain but is close to downtown and gives you fresh cookies.
Aside from having a beer on the Terrace and going to the farmer’s market, as other people have mentioned, I suggest you stop by some cute stores called Pop Deluxe and Anthology, both on State Street; Anthology features a lot of crafts made by local artists. And do a yarn shop crawl, as much as possible–Lakeside Fibers has a gorgeous view onto Monona Bay, and the Sow’s Ear has a really cute coffee shop and some fantastic yarns I’ve never seen anywhere else, like Wagtail mohair and the unspun Icelandic of EZ fame. If you are interested in natural dyes, there’s a kind of cool natural dye garden at the Olbrich Botanical Garden.
When are you coming into town? If you’ll be around Friday evening, let me know if you’d like to meet up; I’ll buy you a local Wisconsin beer :)
I am so excited you are coming to Madison! I will surely come and see you! Looking forward to it.
Safe travels! I’ve not yet been to Madison, but I hear good things.
I have a couch in Chicago that you are welcome to. Affordable hotels are hard to come by in this city, for certain.
A previous commenter made a note about Loopy Yarns, here in the city. If they express an interest, you might ask them about Friday night, as that’s when the knitting group meets in their lovely, yarn-filled basement. There’s also Nina yarns, which you might find worth looking into.
All the best to you and your traveling knitted entourage. <3
Oh, Chicago. A good friend of mine works there at Loopy Yarns, and since it’s one of the most well-known yarn shops here in the city, I’m sure you’ll be stopping by there. I know they would love to have you! Can’t wait to see you here! Ahh! It’s so exciting!
Hi Ysolda, it is the first time a write a comment on your blog but I always read your posts and I enjoy them very much. I wish I could meet you very soon….maybe in Italy..why not?
I wanted to tell you that at the beginning of July I will be in Chicago to visit a friend and as I am, like most of you you read right now, addicted to knitting I made contacts with people in Chicago, particularly in Oak Park (this is were my friend lives). Oak Park knitters meet every Monday at Buzz Cafe, 905 S. Lombard, from 6-8 pm. You can find them on Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/groups/oak-park-snb – - my nickname is cinnygirl). They are really nice and they can suggest you plenty of shops in the area.
Looking forward to read your adventures in Chicago!
Hi Ysolda:
I don’t know when you’re going to Chicago, but I would love to host you in my shop, Main St. Yarn Shop, in Hartford,WI. I’m located between Madison and Milwaukee. I know it’s short notice, but we would love to have you and your beautiful knitting!
I’m so glad you are coming to Chicago! Lots to see and do.
If you can, you should visit Nana’s Yarn Shop in Oak Lawn :) http://nanasknittingshop.com/
Oh yes! Nana’s Knitting on 95th Street in Oak Lawn is right next to the train station…easy to get too!
Sounds like you’re having a wonderful time. Hope this next leg of your trip here is just as great as the past ones have been. We miss you in NYC!
Hi there traveler -
So glad to hear you are coming to Chicago – I live in a suburb of Chicago and will visit any LYS to meet you – please post where you will be. Thanks so much and welcome.
I don’t know if you’ve already come and gone through Chicago, but you should definitely check out Loopy Yarns! Not only is it a great yarn store, but a number of regular customers adore you and your work! It’s super easy to get to because it’s right off the red line downtown.
http://www.loopyyarns.com