2010 Year of.....

This year has been Year of Natural Fibres, so what happens after this year is done? I think we should declare it Year of Celebrating Your Accomplishments! Each project we do has a story to it, by the simple fact of other things that may be going on at the same time of our lives. Little place markers between the big mile stones. These little markers, hand made items, have a story to them and it is quite a unique forum, the digital world, that can now record and share with others, and create even more energy that goes into each piece, whether it be your very first scarf, dropped, crossed and "who knows what happened there" stitches, or a shawl with 300 stitches in a lace weight mohair that was not frog-able! Our forum on Ravelry is place you are invited to share and these pms.

Just in case...

you are ever stuck needing to make a fire without matches, here is a quick video my son made demonstrating how to use a flint and steel. If you feel inspired to leave him a comment, that would be fantastic!

Hand towels and blogging

I have been struggling with the purpose of blogging and lately have realised the purpose for me to blog is about celebrating the fibre arts and celebrating our accomplishments!

My latest accomplishment was a bit of a journey, that required deduction, persistence and faith in myself that I could make it work. A blend of cotton and linen (cotolin) plainly woven with a border of indigo moon silk overshot pattern(Overshot is a type of weave structure that was passes over two or more warp threads). The design is a "A Thousand Flowers" by Marguerite P. Davidson, which is an ingenious design that allows one to have over twenty different weaving patterns. Which is perfect, as I did a warp long enough to weave about a dozen tea towels.

This picture is of the reverse side.

November News

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Juxtapose Scarf

Fibre Archeology is being explored by HomeFree, exploring the history of hand made items and the tools used to make them. We have a small section in the shop dedicated to this topic, it is quite fascinating when one is not only able to "rescue" a hand made item but to also find out its history and the opportunity for it's story to continue.

In this similar vein, I like to provide a little history to the newly born patterns that I have been developing over the short while. The newest pattern being a scarf that was inspired by a Habu mohair sweater (KIT 110). This sweater was my first introduction me to the beautiful and fascinating world of Habu, while Ryan and I were on a fibre reconnaissance trip to Vancouver.

I loved the ultra fine mohair paired with a heavy and textured tsumugi silk, and while I loved it and have not finished the sweater yet, I wanted to capture the essence of it, and the idea of the scarf was born.

These pictures were generously provided by artist Brenda Peteys who knit up the pattern before I got around to publishing it which worked beautifully as her two scarves are beautiful examples. I used the Habu Silk and Mohair while Brenda used Rowan Kidsilk Haze.

Another free pattern that I would like to share :) I hope you enjoy it.

Great site for spinning information

These days as long as one can research and think critically, I think we are pretty lucky to have the internet. It is full of so much fantastic information. For example I just came across this great website with videos and information from how to make a drop spindle, info on different types of fibres and spinning techniques for the wheel and troubleshooting. Very useful for any interested in learning to spin or wanting to learn more about spinning.

Weaving Round Robin

A few weekends ago, Ryan and I particpated in a weaving round robin hosted by Jean Betts. Jean is an award winning weaver with a beautiful ittle studio in Oak Bay. She has been teaching us how to weave. Here are some little samples of what I did:

This piece is from Handwoven May-June 2005, it ia an Atwater/Bronson lace with bamboo in the warp and weft.


This is an example of Monks belt, with a mercerized cotton warp, and I believe I used Jean's handspun for the weft.

This one is my favorite, and I would like to do something substansial with this pattern that Jean designed on her weaving program. It is a over shot pattern, with a silk warp and more of Jean's handspun for the weft.It was a really great expereince and has expanded my knowledge of some more weave structures. Since then we have also done a day of dyeing and I will post some pics from that in the near future!