GIFTS

My husband and I are both crafts people. Christmas time is all about filling the lists of others.
We gift one another, on no particular schedule. This month I made him a hat spun from the fleece of "one of our girls", "Lolly"). He gave me a bowl carved from a huge poplar trees that had fallen along the edge of our pond.
..... from the "Simply Shetland" series

....... from the hands of Arnold


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SUNNY DAYS

After frigid cold followed by a blizzard, followed by rain...THIS is what Angus and I have been waiting for! A perfect day. Later on, this afternoon, I will continue to hook his portrait.

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SOCKS SOCKS SOCKS

...new "Heidi's by Hand" sock yarn at http://www.londonwul.etsy.com/

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RUG HOOKERS UNITE

I have started a new forum for rug hookers
come give us a look and feel free to join in
at RUG HOOKING DAILY

Here's how it began....while attending a hooked bag class by Jennifer Manuell (during Deanne Fitzpatrick's Creativity Symposium) I accepted the challenge to develop a register of rug hooking contacts for Atlantic Canada. So here we are...... rug hookers unite!From Atlantic Canada and beyond..... All are welcome.

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WINTER CLASSES

To Register for any of the following call: 506-382-6990 Linda, Sherri or Heidi

Weaving on a Simple Loom Practice the basics of weaving on a rigid heddle loom. Choose your materials and create a complete project during this full-day workshop. Learn to *choose appropriate materials for warp and weft *calculate yarn requirements to complete a given project * decide which reed is best suited to your project *warp a rigid heddle loom *weave a gorgeous scarf of your own design When: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Cost: $85.00 plus HST, plus materials purchased during the workshop. Looms provided Notes: * please bring both a lunch and you're sense of adventure! * for maximum attention this workshop is restricted to two people. If you and a friend would like to participate on a given date, bookings can be arranged
ON-GOING

Learn to Knit
Perfect project for first time knitters. Learn some of the basics and create a functional dishcloth at the same time. Perfect for gifts or a treat for yourself.

Techniques:- Knitted cast on
- Yarn overs and Knit 2 Together decreases- Garter stitch
Supplies:- 5mm needles- 1 ball Mission Falls cotton (included in class price)- Darning needle
Date: Sunday, Jan 18 , 1-4pm
$35 (includes yarn)


The Art of Fibre Workshop,
Learn how to turn your thoughts and ideas into fibre art. Knowledge of fibre techniques is not required but may be helpful in our discussions. This class will be a theory and discussion based class focusing on using your head before your hands. We will work on creating a sketchbook of research and ideas for future projects.

Instructor Joanna Close A native to New Brunswick, fine arts graduate, (Master of Arts in Textile and Fibre Art Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, United Kingdom) Joanna Close works as a professional weaver, spinner and dyer. Apart from an active scheduling of solo exhibits as well as selected group showings, Joanna has been excellently received as a fibre arts instructor throughout Atlantic Canada and in Dawson City, Yukon.Workshop
January 24th 1-5pm
Cost: $100.00 plus HST, includes materials.


Cables (Chunky Cable Hat or Cabled Bag)
Cabled HatReady to branch out from scarves and rectangles? If yes, this project is perfect for you you. This chunky cabled hat is a fast knit and is a fun way to try out cables for the first time. You will learn to knit on circular and double pointed needles as well as learn a basic cable and increases. All you need to know is how to knit and purl comfortably in ribbing.

Techniques:- Long tail cast
- Chart reading- Knitting in the round with circular needle- Knitting in the round with double pointed needles
- Decreasing- Basic cable
Supplies:- 1 skein of Noro Iro OR 1 ball of LOPI- 6mm 16" round needle- 4 or 5 double pointed 6mm needles- Cable needle- Darning needle
OR

Cabled Bag
Learn how to follow a chart to make various cables that turn into a wonderful bag. Must have basic knitting skills such as casting on, knitting and purling.
Techniques:- Chart reading- Knitting various cable patterns
Supplies:- 6.5mm straight needles - 2 skeins Briggs & Little- Darning needle- 2 round bamboo handles
Date: Sunday, Jan 25, 1-4pm
$30 + materials + HST



Sockology The mystery of sock creation will be revealed! Discover how to plan out your sock project, choosing yarn and needles and sizing. We will then move on to creating a toddler sock exploring various heel techniques. All the techniques learned can be used to create kids to adult socks of many varieties.

Techniques:- Top down sock construction- Choosing yarn for socks- Heel techniques including Heel flap & gusset heel, Peasant or afterthought heel and short row heel.- Wedge toe
- Kitchener stitch (grafting)
Supplies:- 1 ball Mission Falls Wool- 4 Double pointed needles (3.75mm) - Darning needle
Date: Sunday, Feb 1, 1-4pm
$30 + materials +HST


LEARN TO SPIN: Want to give a spinning wheel a whorl? Take the opportunity to discover the world of hand spinning. Discover the magical properties of fibre, how they have been prepared and how to spin a yarn! – you’ll be surprised what you can accomplish in one afternoon!$45.00 instruction fees, students will be registered upon payment.equipment available or bring your own wheel
Saturday Feb 7/09 1pm-4pm

2 Socks At a Time using the Magic Loop
Join us in this workshop to discover a new way to overcome single sock syndrome by learning to knit 2 socks at one time on 1 long circular needle.

Techniques:
- casting on 2 socks on one circular
- knitting with the magic loop method

Supplies:
- Worsted weight yarn of your choice (Mission Falls, Briggs & Little). Enough to make 2 toddler socks to practice the method on. For ease of learning the technique, 2 colors of yarn is recommended.
- 1 long circular needle size 4-4.5mm. Should be at least 36" long.

Please note: A general knowledge of sock construction is recommended for this workshop. Also, this workshop is free to those who attend Sockology and Toe up Socks as a special for February Sock Month
Date: Sunday, Feb 15, 1-3pm
$10 + materials + HST



Toe Up Socks
Are you tired of having too much sock yarn left over? Have you been looking for a new way to knit socks? If so, this class is for you. We will be learning how to construct a sock from the toe up. During this class you will work on a baby sock to allow us to tackle each section but you will go away with the know how to make your favorite cuff down sock patterns from the toe up.
Techniques:- Eastern Cast On- Backward loop Cast off- Short Row heel- Translating Cuff down sock patterns to Toe up patterns.
Supplies:- 1 ball Mission Falls Wool- 4 Double pointed needles (3.75mm) - Darning needle
Date: Sunday, Feb 22, 1-4pm

$30 + materials + HST

COLORFUL KNITTING CIRCLE

Tomorrow afternoon we will ease into our winter knit Along. "Colorful Knitting" is the theme which allows for just about any project from a stripey scarf to an intarsia bag or maybe that fair isle sweater you've always wanted to make.

I have chosen to do some cuddly knitted owls out of this wonderful book by Lucinda Guy. Perfect cozy winter knitting for the "little people" in my life .

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REMINDER

...just a reminder that the following class will be running. There may be room for one or two more students after which we will take names on a waiting list.



January 24th 2009The Art of Fibre Workshop, Instructor Joanna Close

A native to New Brunswick, fine arts graduate, (Master of Arts in Textile and Fibre Art Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, United Kingdom) Joanna Close works as a professional weaver, spinner and dyer. Apart from an active scheduling of solo exhibits as well as selected group showings, Joanna has been excellently received as a fibre arts instructor throughout Atlantic Canada and in Dawson City, Yukon.

Workshop Description: Learn how to turn your thoughts and ideas into fibre art. Knowledge of fibre techniques is not required but may be helpful in our discussions. This class will be a theory and discussion based class focusing on using your head before your hands. We will work on creating a sketchbook of research and ideas for future projects.

When: 1pm-5pm Cost: $100.00 plus HST, includes materials.

GIFTS

A friend of mine entrusted me with a small portion of dog hair several years ago.
(what a great lead line! Can you imagine the strange and convoluted story that could develop from that line? ...I digress)
Not just any dog hair but that combed from her very first and very much loved border Collie.
I have held onto this small sampling, carefully labelled and stored, for soo long. I just wasn't confident in choosing an appropriate project for this very precious fibre.
At last I discovered the "Wolf Pack Hat" (designed by Mary Lou Egan, 13 Mile Farm, Montana) in the wonderful book "Shear Spirit".



The Border hair was carded with a wee bit of alpaca and spun on my little Louet Victoria.

This is such a lovely, portable little wheel. It allows me to "bring my work home" and spin fireside. So appropriate for such a personal project.



I combined my friend's dog hair with the fleece of one of her California Red sheep, also spun on the Victoria.

The hat has a double lining. I used a duplicate stitch to add "GOOD DOG TWISTER" on the inside brim.

...so this is the book. A portrait of several fibre farms including background stories, photos and patterns as well.

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