This past weekend marked the end to 2006’s fiber affairs, at least for me. It’s been quite a ride this year and 2007 is shaping up. Not bad, not bad at all.
the view from my window
The two weekend days were broken up into three class sections. I’m kicking myself now. Hindsight. I should have taken Rita Buchanan’s classes. I should have. Now, in the aftermath, I am reminding myself that I can always learn something new, even in a beginners class. Instead, I learned that there are two parts to Bosnian Crochet, only two. Most of what you need to know can be covered in about 15 minutes. The stitches can be learned in about five minutes…. the rest can be shown in the remaining 10. I took the class all day Saturday, two sessions. The company was wonderful. Deborah is an incredibly knowledgeable textile historian and her stories are very interesting. But, two stitches. I can see myself using this technique for crocheted basket work, maybe bags, something like that. Thing was, when I saw the technique, I realized I’ve used it many times in the past. I have never been taught to crochet. I learned by picking up the needle and playing around. I had naturally (read that as made up, reinvented, and) used those two stitches years ago for making crocheted sculpture. It produces a very sturdy fabric. I didn’t know it had a name. I think, that at the time, I assumed it was a single crochet. That was the Saturday class. Sunday’s Rug Hooking was rather more informative. Again, the technique is incredibly simple; the tools, likewise. It is a terrific way to use up odds and ends and get a beautiful and creative product. I’m psyched. I have loads of Lincoln roving that I’ve been spinning and dyeing for a rug or bench pad. It will be hooked instead of woven. My sample is underway.
Friday and Saturday evenings were spent in a big room with
vendors and spinners doing what we do best. There weren’t many vendors, but the ones that were there were good
ones. Christopher Hall was there with
Montedale roving. Umm… just what I
needed. And, Foxfire. I bought another Forrester spindle, this time
a light weight .74 oz., wild cherry beauty. It spins like a dream. We
relaxed, we talked, and Saturday night we listened to a local NH story
teller. By noon Sunday, we were exhausted. How can that
be? I ate my box lunch in front of the fire in the
main lobby and waited for my ride north.
Sounds like a great time. I still have a small bit of Montadale from Chris I bought 3 years ago (can it be!?!?) at NHS&W. I totally lucked out because the fleece was unmarked, but I liked it and took it to the counter, whereupon the lady I paid commented that was one of his and wondered why no one had snapped it up already. Lucky me!
Posted by: Anne | November 06, 2006 at 03:46 PM
Sounds like a wonderful time... and what a view. Rug hooking... always thought that would be a great way to use up those little balls of left-overs...
Posted by: Liz | November 06, 2006 at 08:57 PM
The sunlight on the mountain is breathtaking!
This sounds like the type of spinner's gathering I'd enjoy. I'd have a hard time deciding what classes to take also. Bosnian crochet - I wonder if it's the same technique as Tunisian crochet?
Does Turkish spinning still tempt you? :-)
Posted by: Fiberjoy | November 06, 2006 at 09:12 PM
Despite the class experiences, it sounds like a great weekend.
Posted by: Laurie | November 06, 2006 at 10:01 PM
Sounds like it was a good time inspite of the classes "-).
Posted by: Kim | November 07, 2006 at 07:57 AM
Love that photo at the end!
Posted by: Carole | November 07, 2006 at 08:43 AM
Wow the view alone was breathtaking. Hope you at least got something in the way of knowledge you can keep forever.
Posted by: Carol | November 07, 2006 at 10:36 AM
Another spindle?
I was just thinking yesterday that it is time for me to start learning more constructively about spinning....
The seat of my pants has been good to me so far, but I need a little kick in it now.
See you in Feb.
Posted by: Juno | November 09, 2006 at 11:15 AM