President's Message for April

As I traveled the back roads, on my way to Fibrefest last Friday morning, I was amazed and delighted by all the daffodils that grow along Bradner Road. The weather was not very inspiring – it was drizzling, grey and chilly. But nothing was going to dampen my spirits. I was off to teach a couple of workshops and to hang out with other fibre junkies for the day – so I only noticed the lovely things along my way.

Life’s like that. When I am in a good mood, my house is lovely, cozy and artistically busy. When I am in a sour mood, I notice the cracked paint, the dust bunnies, and the endless piles of clutter. So, keep me in a good mood – keep me busy with fibre. Last weekend was just the way to do that. Imagine two days devoted to just about every aspect of the fibre arts you can think of, with a specialization in spinning, weaving, knitting and felting. That’s what Fibrefest was all about. For those of you who didn’t make it there, I encourage you to go next year. After all, how often does an international gathering of fibre enthusiasts happen in your own backyard?

As the Langley Weavers and Spinners Guild, we have an important role to play at such a gathering. We had an information, selling and demonstration booth looked after by Barbara , Heleen, and Liz . Others put their items in for sale and checked in from time to time. Our booth was quite impressive. We had a variety of items for sale ranging from finely woven scarves and blankets, carefully crafted jackets, carded batts, shawl kits, felted purses and of course, Shari’s “Wild Wacky Women”. I hung around on Saturday demonstrating and visiting with folks.

Fibrefest is a bit like Old Homecoming Week. What amazed me this year was the number of young women, the twenty-somethings who were interested in learning how to spin, having recently caught the knitting bug. We often worry about who is going to carry on the craft and who is going to keep these arts alive. Despite what the media report about that group being a “consumer” generation – I saw something quite different in the young people I spoke with. They have an appreciation for things made by hand, they also have an excitement and pride about creating something for themselves or others. They come to the craft with their own sense of style, and colour and ideas of how to use handspun yarn. As I looked at some of the items they were proudly wearing I happily thought to myself, “—we are in good hands.”

Keep spinning,
Diana

President's Message for March

Last month our guild accomplished something truly inspiring. We made a total of 85 hats for cancer survivors. Using our skills and creativity we gave people the chance to feel beautiful and loved despite being in the throes of one of the worst diseases we can imagine. The February meeting is usually the time where we show each other the finery we have made for one another from the “Fibres from the Heart” activity. But this time we really stretched what “from the Heart” can mean and created an abundance of hats for many to enjoy. Representatives from the Canadian Cancer Society were mightily impressed and touched by our generosity, and so was I. Thank you.

On a whole other note, we have a great deal of things coming up really soon and I am going to need lots of people to step up to the plate and help out:

First, we have information/selling tables at Fibrefest International – March 31 and April 1. We will be setting up a display on one of the tables and the other table (and spaces in between) is available for those who are interested in selling their fibre fare. Please contact me if you are interested in working the table, or selling your items. So far Liz Scrimes and Barbara Braaten have expressed an interest in participating. There is room for others.

Secondly, on the following weekend, we will have a guild display table at the Bradner Flower Show. We have a lovely central table at which you will be able to display and sell your goods, as long as you bring along something to demonstrate. If you are interested, please contact me, I will find someone to coordinate the event and get times organized.

Third, the Surrey Museum is hosting a Sheep-to-Shawl in May (don’t have the concrete details) but if you are interested in being part of the team or coordinating the event please contact me.

And finally – whew, almost over, thanks to Denise Parks, we have the use of a display case at the Guilford library in October and the Fleetwood Library in September. Anyone interested in coordinating the display please see me.

Well, that ought to keep us busy. Wait to read about all the workshops and other events. Now go outside and enjoy those daffodils.
Keep spinning,

Diana

President's Message for February

Today the sun was shining and I believed for the first time in a long while that the cosmic joke of our winter was actually over. Who could imagine so much rain, every single day, over and over and over again? I had forgotten what the mountains surrounding us looked like, but today, there they were.

This is my second year as President of the Guild. It’s been a good run and I have enjoyed it. My work life is changing and for that reason I can’t take on a third term as President. I will still be involved in the Guild, I just can’t take on the extra responsibility of being President next year. I wanted to let you know as soon as I decided this so we could think about who we want next and more importantly, what we want in a President. Our Guild is large. We have over 100 members involved in weaving, spinning, knitting, felting, beading, basketry, dyeing and I’m sure I’m leaving something out. We are a dynamic teaching Guild and word on the street has it that we are "hot and happening." So take a look around at your fellow Guild members and see who we want as our next President, or maybe that person is you. Well, are you up for it? You have until May to think about it and decide.

We will talk more about this at the meeting. The meeting where we will hopefully meet our challenge of making ONE HUNDRED HATS for Cancer survivors. We have decided that members will be able to purchase a hat for someone dear to them struggling with cancer. All money collected and remaining hats will be donated to a well respected Cancer agency. Please look into this and have some ideas for us to discuss at the meeting.

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The Yarn Harlot’s 2006 Knitting Olympics
On the other side of the planet athletes from all over the world have gathered to test their strength, skills and expertise at their winter sport. And, thanks to our dear cyber friend, the Yarn Harlot, (the woman who’s blog I introduced you to in the last newsletter) we fibre artists won’t be left out. For she has called all knitters to participate in the Knitting Olympics. (http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/olympics2006.html
Eligibility: Any knitter who, embracing the "Citius, Alitius Fortius" ideal, would like to challenge themselves while embracing the Olympic spirit, and is just whacked enough to play along with me.
Concept: You must cast on a project during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics (Feb 10)- and finish before the Olympic flame goes out (Feb 26). That's 16 days.
Rules:
1. The project must be a challenge for you to complete in 16 days.
2. There are no rules about what a challenge would be. Like the real Olympics, there are many areas to compete in. If you are a new knitter, then a garter stitch baby sweater might do...If you are experienced, well. I've already considered Torino. Use your own conscience.
3. While this is intended to be somewhat difficult (like the Olympics) it is not intended to ruin your life. Don't set yourself up for failure. (Olympic athletes may cry, but they do not whine pitifully, sob and threaten members of their family with pointed sticks because they haven't slept in five days.) This is intended to (like the Olympics) require some measure of sacrifice, and be difficult, but it should be possible to attain.
4. No casting on before the flame is lit.
5. Finish before the flame goes out.
6. You may swatch before the games. (I consider this "training.")
I know, by the time you read this message, the Opening Ceremonies will be over. But don’t be discouraged. Just grab a challenging pattern, or an unfinished item that has had you stumped and get knitting. See how far you can get before the flame is out and anytime you want to just give up. . . take a hard look at those speed skaters going round and round the ice. Talk about dedication and persistence. So have some fun, set yourself up for a good challenge and don’t take yourself (or your knitting) too seriously.

President's Message for January

The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is over and we can finally relax and get back to our most decent obsession, FIBRE! With the recent weather system (rain, rain, and more rain with a bit of wind thrown in) it is indeed a great time to be inside the house carding, spinning, weaving, knitting and playing with fibre in general. And while I am doing a lot of that and have several projects on the go, I also have another wee obsession, reading Knitting Blogs. Let me explain.

My full time job involves working on a computer receiving and sending numerous emails throughout the day. Believe it or not, to take a break from my work related tasks, I check out Knitting Blogs on the Internet. I don’t know the official definition of a blog, but it is public, web-based journal of sorts. On a blog you can talk about your interests, post photos, identify links and engage your readers in the form of comments/responses to your postings. Individual people like you and me can create and maintain a blog and there are dozens, hundreds out there. Of course, there are only about a handful worth reading, but there are many that can take up your time. If you are so inclined, and computer savy, check out some knitting/fibre arts blogs. Here are a couple of my favourites:

Sweet Georgia (http://sweetgeorgia.planetfishdesign.com) This wonderful gal is an absolutely compulsive, (she makes me look like a sloth) spinner, knitter and dyer. And, to top it all off, she works full time!

Another fun one is The Yarn Harlot (http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog) in the title she states: Where Stephanie Pearl-McPhee goes on (and on) about knitting. Both of these blogs have wonderful photos accompanying their stories and adventures in the fibre arts. The Yarn Harlot has a list of links to other knitting/fibre blogs so you can read for hours. . . . but you won’t do that because you will become so inspired by her creations that you’ll want to get back to yours in a hurry.

So that rounds it out. We are in for a good year. We’ve got some good workshops planned for you and of course there is the annual gathering Fibrefest International, right in our own backyard to take advantage of. Visit www.fibrefestinternational.com and check out the workshops planned there, or contact Maureen to get information about it. See you at the meeting, and happy spinning!

Diana

President's November Message

Yet again I am in an awkward moment while writing my President’s Message. As I write this, the final plans are being made to ensure that our annual Artisan’s Sale will be a sensation, but by the time you read this, it will all be over.

So I am only going to say this about it – the sale will be an outstanding success. It will be that way because of the dedication, persistence, creativity and attention to detail that Shari Taylor has put towards the task. It will also be a success because of the large group of people who have helped in a variety of ways to ensure that this huge showcase event gets off the ground. There are too many to thank. Thank you for all of your work. Not only does the guild benefit from this event, but also individual members of our guild stand to make some money and get their names and work out for public display.

There are a lot of educational activities going on in the guild these days. The Beginning Class met on October 26 for our first introductory meeting. Nine members showed up full of enthusiasm to learn the art and craft of spinning. Our next class is November 9th and we hope to have the other two classes completed by the beginning of December. There are going to be many more spinners swirling around the guild in the very near future. There is also a beginning weaving class with several registrants and a knitting class that will be starting shortly after Christmas. If you have not yet signed up for a class but would like to do so, please contact any member of the workshop committee.

On another note, in February we are going to have a program called “Hats from the Heart”. For this event, guild members are all encouraged to knit, crochet, weave, felt a hat (of any size) that would be comfortable on a bald head. We are planning to donate these hats to the Cancer Society in memory of several of our guild sisters who have succumbed to this hateful disease. Our goal is to ensure that those who are struggling through the recovery period and have lost their hair in the process can do so in comfort and grace.

We have approximately 100 members in our guild so here’s a challenge: At the February meeting let’s collect ONE HUNDRED HATS. One hundred hats to give to cancer survivors so they can feel warm, loved and most importantly, beautiful in a new hat. While we encourage you to use your softest homespun yarns, for this project we are opening the fibre options to acrylic and other commercially created yarns. If you have any questions about “Hats for the Heart” or would like to donate some yarn please contact me.

Over and out -- Diana

Langley Weavers and Spinners Guild -- President's Message: October 2005

Several members of our guild helped the community celebrate the Cranberry Festival by participating in a demonstration Sheep-to-Shawl event at the Fort Wine Company in Glen Valley. It was a fantastic event. Dian Grant was our weaver; Ann Embra was the interpreter, who also did a full day of spinning; Shari Taylor plied, carded and wound bobbins; Krista Graham, Liz Scrimes and I were the spinners. We arrived at 9 to set-up for an event to begin at 10. No sooner had we completed the set-up than drops of rain started to fall, and fall, and fall. The tent was crowded to begin with, but once the rain started we noticed that we were all getting wet at the edges, so we had to move in another foot or so. It was cozy spinning and then Krista showed up. Thankfully, the rain didn’t last for long, and by the mid-point of the day, splashes of sun had started to appear.
The shawl we created that day is beautiful. The colours, design and craftsman’s ship are all superb. As usual, the best part of the day was sitting in the company of fibre gals, chatting, laughing, and sharing ideas and interests. And, oh, how the public loves us. Kids run up to us to ask questions about the wool, sheep, making yarn and "can I try it please?" It was a good day and I was reminded yet again why I do this. I do this because I love to make beautiful things. Beautiful things can, at times, take a lot of work and effort, but the beauty of it helps us to remember the day(s) when we made it.
Happy Thanksgiving. I know it will be well over by the time you receive this, but I do want to share my thoughts of thankfulness with you all.

Keep spinning!

Diana

Standards and Jurying -- A Few Thoughts on the Subject

In our Guild, the Langley Weavers and Spinners, whenever we talk about Standards and Jurying, we couch it in the gentlest terms, continually making reference to the fact that many are nervous about or uncomfortable with the notion of having their work “judged”.

Our guild standards are a set of carefully constructed guidelines for all aspects of our craft, developed to ensure that the products created and made available to the public are of top quality.

Jurying for our annual Artisan’s Sale is a straightforward process. There’s the paperwork piece that is first checked. We make sure that each item is correctly labeled and recorded on the master sheet so the fibre artist will get credit (and hopefully remuneration) for her piece. Then we carefully look at each item and assess the quality.

Here’s what that looks like – if it’s a pair of mittens, are they the same size? Are the ends woven in? If it’s a hat, will it fit on a head, if a sweater, do the buttons line up with the buttonholes; are the sleeves the same length? Will a head fit through a pullover? If it’s a woven item, are there treadling errors? You see where I’m going with this – the things we are looking at are sensible things with regard to the design and creation of an item. Are there noticeable errors in the design or patterning?

In the event that there are problems with an item, often times it can be repaired. Suggestions are made and the fibre artist has the option to do so and still get her item into the sale.

The long and short of it is this. Jurying to ensure guild standards are adhered to is not rocket science or one of the great mysteries of the universe. We aren’t looking for perfection, that is ridiculous. We are looking to ensure that items have a finished, high quality look to them. This may run contrary to some people’s idea of “homespun” and “handmade” and I think that is where some of the tension around jurying comes from. And “jurying” is not an arbitrary affair. When an item is selected as a possible rejection, the entire Jurying committee discusses the issue, to make sure that all agree.

So please, if fear of having your work judged is what is preventing you from adding your pieces to the Artisan’s Sale, rest assured. You are among friends.

Langley Weavers and Spinners Guild -- President's Message for September

Here it is, another new year. As a mother and a teacher I think of September and the return to school as a New Year. And our Guild is the same way. We take a break for the summer months and in the fall, gather again and share our ideas, learning and creations. So it feels brand new, like we can start all over again.

We have got some great things planned for you this year. Our Workshop/Education committee is taking a “Back to Basics” approach to fibre arts this year. We have several workshops planned: beginning felting, spinning, knitting, weaving, basketry, paper making and drum carding. Because we know that you will want to take several, if not all of the workshops, we are striving to find ways to make them affordable. So roll up your sleeves and get going on what you’ve always wanted to do. . . have many more reasons to play with fibre.

Our annual Artisan’s Sale is shaping up to be an amazing day. Shari Taylor, with her usual ingenuity, fantastic energy, and unstoppable enthusiasm has transformed our annual sale into a celebration of the season and creativity. “Falling into Fibre” is our theme. At the September meeting we will be helping each member find ways to help us make this annual event a success. Not only is it a major fundraiser for the guild, but it is also our biggest chance to showcase the work of our members and our craft in general. So, welcome back. I look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting and making plans for our New Year.

Diana -- President of the group where “spinning your wheels” is actually a productive activity.

Shawl-mania

Here is a list of knitting projects, both in progress and to be completed by the end of the summer:

Sweater for David: have the body done, and one sleeve. Need to make another sleeve, then join them all together, do the yoke, cut the steek (eek), trim the edges, make buttonholes, add buttons and done. May need to spin up another ball of triple ply chocolate perendale.

Socks for John: One sock is made up to the heel. All the yarn in made. Everything I need is efficiently located in one bag.

Shawl for Shari: simple summer shawl made on size 10 mm needles with lovely varigated silk and wool yarn. Yarn already to go, wound up into nice balls. Pattern in my head. Cast on 4, knit one, yarn over, knit to the end. Do this until you either run outta yarn or it is the width you want. Block it. Add artsy fringe on three points with beads to give weight to it.

Green shawl using Liz's yarn: Lovely yarn, amazing colour of green with ply of delicately varigated silk. Again a simple summer shawl using size 10mm needles. The increases happen down the middle of the shawl allowing it to drape elegantly over the shoulders.
Here's the pattern:
Cast on three stitches.
Row one: Knit one, put stitch marker in, yarn over, knit one, yarn over, knit one.
Row two: Knit to the end.
In all the following odd rows, increase by two stitches each time by doing a yarn over on either side of the central knit. So row three will be, knit 2, yarn over, knit one, yarn over, knit 2.
Knit all even rows.
Unlike the pattern above, this one is knit from the top edge (the part that hand around your shoulders) down. The other one you knit from the bottom point up to the top part that hangs around your shoulders.

Varigated blues silk/mohair/wool shawl: I am halfway through this shawl using the pattern I listed in Down to Earth Elegance. The yarn is a double ply I made from a blend of mohair, silk and wool. One single was the warm blues, and the other is purples with hits of bright pink from the silk that really caught the dye.

Last one is a shawl for my friend Dawna. I grew up with Dawna and want to make her a handspun, hand dyed, hand knit shawl. I am combing some Ramboullet X Romney lambs wool and spinning a lace weight single. I have one bobbin made and have started bobbin #2. I hope to have the yarn made by tomorrow so I can dye it and have this to knit on the plane. I don't know which shawl pattern I will use, it will depend on what the yarn looks like in the end.