Monday, April 30, 2012

Fleeces for use as insulation - does anyone have some they want to give away?

Friends at Golden Ears Farm are looking for free fleeces that can be processed for use as insulation in one of the farm buildings.  If you have some that you would like to get rid of, email Paul or Kelsey with the information.Golden Ears Farm

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Thursday, April 5, 2012

April Updates from Monday's Show and Tell Spectacular!

 
Guild News
There are no minutes from the April meeting, as it was not a formal meeting.  A few notes, however, might help everyone keep in touch.  28 members attended the meeting to watch Anne Carmichael demonstrate her sock knitting machine.
 
Gabriele read a note from ANWAG requesting a donation for their "Crossing Border, Crossing Fibres" event.  This can be discussed at the next meeting.  Darlene has done a March inventory; there is only one book missing "Tea Towels" from the Design Collections.  A list has been prepared for the new books purchase.
The Doubleweave workshop is May 5.  The $40 should be paid to Noelle tonight.  A possible spinning workshop by Louise Smith is planned for June 16, from 9 - 4.  Cost is $30 if a free space is available, and $37 otherwise.
 
Anne's sock knitting machine, vintage 1904, was a big hit.  Members were able to watch Anne knit a sock, including turning a heel, (twice) and a quick demonstration of kitchener stitching.  The Show and Tell that followed the sock knitting demo was another amazing demonstration of talent.
 
April Dates
 
April 10 Spin in at Gloria's (directions to come from Gloria by email) from 10- 2.
April 21 - "Knee Deep in Spring" Event at Harmonious Homestead and Ewe.  Spinners are welcome to come from 10 - 4
April 23 - Knit in at Lis Borthwick's 10 - 2
April 28  Open House at Margaret's Ranfurly Farms.  10 - 2.  For directions, check the blog.

Knee Deep in Spring - April 21st at Harmonious Homestead

Harmonious Homestead and Ewe are holding the Knee Deep in Spring event on the 21st April Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm and invite the Spinners and Weavers Guild to attend. Weather permitting they could have a 'spin in' on our board walk at the Mount Ida Hall or if it is too cool or wet they could be in the Hall. We have Joyce Marchant here with her horses ploughing our Market Garden, several local Sustainable living groups will have displays, children's games and of course there will be guided tours of the farmyard to see the new born lambs. 'The Sheep's Trough" restaurant will be open in the Hall serving brunch and lunch. 
 
Submitted by Rob Fensom - Harmonious Homestead and ewe.

Plying and Skein Preparation Workshop

Subject: Plying and Skein Preparation Workshop
 
1 Day Workshop on Plying and Skein Preparation
on June 16th Saturday – mentored by Louise Smith - Sponsored by Shuswap Spinners & Weavers
 
Louise has been spinning and weaving since 1990 and has used many different types of wheels.  She has entered many competitions and filled cork boards with skeins and prize ribbons. The Canadian Alpaca and Llama shows in Red Deer- many classes, at Silver Star- many classes;  Fibres West in Abbotsford –Lace weight, Novelty yarn; ANWG Conference in Bozeman- best 2 ply wool; local fairs and uses her yarns in weaving and knitting. Louise also teaches a Novelty Yarn workshop which stresses stable, functional finished yarns. She has studied with Judith MacKenzie, Kim McKenna and many other proficient spinners and done a lot of self study.
 
Start 9:00 a.m finish 4:00p.m. with lunch break.  Bring lunch or buy lunch in the mall restaurants.
Held at Picadilly Mall , Salmon Arm, B.C.  Directions will be given to participants
 
Topics covered:   2 ply to achieve a balanced skein.                                       
                            Amount of twist in singles needed- what happens if too little twist, what happens if too much twist
                            Reasons to vary from a balanced twist
                            3 ply technique- Navajo and regular 3 strands
                            4 or more ply techniques
                            What is a cabled yarn?
                            What is Lace weight?
                            Examples of all above to look, feel and examine
 
Competition Hints and Tips- Length of competition skein and winding it correctly
                                              Tying a competition skein correctly
                                              Steaming a skein
                                              Washing a skein
                                              Labelling a skein
Questions answered throughout day.
 
Cost:  $30.00 each   Payment in full to be sent to Gudrun W. – Ph 250-835-4657  gudalf.w@sunnybrae.tv