IKAT FROM GGFI

W1
Originally uploaded by theresart

This was to have been the first weaving project in Judith's class this year but the weather conspired against us and with all the damp and mist the warps never dried. We had both white and gray skeins to dye. I tied my each differently but with a repeat in each skein and then separated the ikat sections with some of the solid gray.

The photo could have been a lot clearer, I just am hopeless when it comes to taking pictures, but the pattern shows up. The wool was a bit scratchy and not suitable for next to skin so have decided to make a bag with this. I fulled it in the washer last night and will have to stitch it up and get some leather handles to finish it off.

Warps

Result of dye day at my house. Brought home the old turkey roaster from Monterey and it works great for dyeing. I am using up all the old acid dyes I have on hand and colored thirteen skeins of "pony" to practice with on the loom. This is the type of yarn we used with Judith at GGFI and it is cheap and works up well. I just ordered 15 more skeins (880 yards each) that will also have to dyed.

Have to wind all this mess up before the warping can begin and it had better be soon before I forget all that I learned about warping in the class. Judith suggested that I take the rosepath threading and do all the variations so that I get more comfortable with the warping process. She hates the floating selvage but after looking at my sad shibori sample, know that I need it. I also want to try some more shibori now that I understand what I am doing (somewhat anyway).

GOLDEN GATE FIBER INSTITUTE 2010

Shibouri ggfi
Originally uploaded by theresart

This year's class was dye/weave with Judith and as usual I learned more than I can still process. We did shibori dyeing and weaving (my woven piece is at the top left). The silk scarf was first and done by stitching and tying in garbanzo beans as resists. The shirt was a bonus.

We also tied some ikat warps which took forever to dry so they became the at home project. I just wound off some yarn for spacers last night and hope to get mine at least started in the warp process this week. The wool we used is a bit scratchy and should make a good bag. In the warp change the colors I used look very good. The yarn is large (#10 reed) so should be easy to warp. I have forgotten how much I warped so will have to count and adjust with the extra yarn. Stay tuned...

IT'S OFFICIAL

I threw caution to the winds this morning and registered for SOAR. I have never been to Pennsylvania before and am excited to visit the Poconos. My first choice for the workshop part of the retreat is Deb Menz's carding class and my second is the Estonian lace spinning and knitting with Judith MacKenzie and Nancy Bush. Vivian Hoxbro is also going to be teaching there and I hope to be able to take her class for the second half.

This has been/is going to be an exciting year for attending retreats. The dye retreat is coming up in June as is the ALA conference and Book Expo. Between retreats, day job and conference planning it's a busy year.

HOMAGE TO JUDITH

I spent all day in a great class with Judith Mackenzie McCuin. She is a fabulous teacher. This class was spinning for knitting. We covered worsted, three ply with angora wool, merino, alpaca silk, cashmere, bison and learned tons. I think that I finally get spinning a good worsted yarn now. She also gave notes on how to figure how much yarn needed for a sweater, etc that will come in very handy. Unfortunately, for me, I forgot to take my book to have her sign it, alas!

Fiber Fest has gotten smaller yet again. Though there was a vendor there with very lovely felted garments. My guess is that they were done from wool jersey. She also had some very handsome and way too pricey jewelry that was very inspirational. I came home with two Park Bench patterns, two Lendrum bobbins, some knitting needles and two very lovely Ernst buttons.

NEW BOOKS

Three new titles arrived in Saturday's mail. I always have loved the kimono shape and there are several interesting variations in the Knit Kimono book that might be fun to try. Twisted sisters has some good ideas for making handspun yarn translate to a commercial pattern that specifies a certain yarn. Last the feltmaking--just wanted it for the library. I did not own one of hers and this one sounded like a good one and it is. Now all I need is enough time to sit and browse.

I am taking a class with Judith Mackenzie this weekend on spinning for knitters and hope to get lots of good pointers. I really enjoyed the class that I had with her this past spring at the ASCH conference.

The Spindlicity cruise is coming up fast, just a little over a week and I need to spend sometime getting ready for that as well.