NOBO Handweavers

Benjamin insisted that the bag was meant to carry him, and got a little bit grumpy when I had to explain that it was meant to carry his numerous personal effects. He does fit pretty well, though. He loves looking at all of the various samples, and can’t wait to meet all of you. We’ll be there with bells on this evening!

Benjamin in his NOBO bag

We are fortunate to have a complete collection of “Wild Fibers Magazine” in our library, starting with the first one in which Margaret Russell’s “Rare Thoughts” column appeared. I recently asked Margaret how this column came into being. Set out below is her reply:

“In 1835, William Truland, a weaver, left County Antrim, Ireland and journeyed the ocean to Schaghticoke, New York in search of work in the mills. I am the great, great, great granddaughter of William and weave under the studio name of Antrim Handweaving.

With an appreciation and influence of a familial connection to weaving, my determination is to work towards the preservation of the art of handweaving. With an obsession for fibers that are raw and spirited in origin, character, and presentation, my desire is to reintroduce the use of natural fibers and encourage the understanding of why this should occur. With a whole-hearted fondness for fibers animals and a fascination with their histories, my resolution is to promote the conservation of rare breed fiber animals. These elements are foremost in my mind when I consider anything that has to do with my weaving.

In addition to and because of the pursuit of my personal weaving objectives, I am fortunate to be the Rare Breeds Columnist for “Wild Fibers Magazine.” “Wild Fibers” is a quarterly journal, committed to the industry of natural fibers worldwide, and the animals, breeders, and artisans that are involved. A 7-year anniversary will be marked by the onset of 2011.

My column, “Rare Thoughts,” tells the tales of rare fiber animals. The ones whose breeders work against the staggering odds of raising breeds where limited or even no commercial markets exist, but do so out of sheer devotion to their breed of choice. Or the feral creatures that have survived in extremely isolated areas, untouched by the breeding standards sometimes guided, but other times inflicted by man. These animals allow us a glimpse into history, and on occasion, prehistory, providing us the genesis for many of the breeds that find themselves upon landscapes and in barns throughout the world. When these animals are gone, that is extinct, permanent holes are part of our past. There is no possible way to refill them. Awareness of all that has been lost and a focus on who remains is a first step in preventing this from happening to other breeds. We need to take time to listen to their stories.

“Rare Thoughts” has a very significant message to deliver but is only a small part of all that “Wild Fibers Magazine” encompasses. I encourage anyone who has not had the opportunity to read “Wild Fibers” to do so and of course those that have, continue to support its efforts. The writers and photographers work with the basic hope that each person will savor the magazine from cover to cover. However, the underlying purpose is to open as many eyes and hearts as possible, by presenting readers with an irresistible invitation to become part of the extraordinary world of natural fibers.”

Autumn Bead Leno Scarf

Class: INTRODUCTION TO BEAD LENO

Instructor: Patricia Morton

Skill level: Advanced Beginner

Bead Leno is a loom-controlled fabric with regular holes. It’s an open, lacy fabric, with twists in the warp. It weaves quickly, doesn’t use much yarn, and makes a stable fabric for scarves, shawls, and other items. Leno is traditionally done by hand pick-up. In Bead Leno, however, the holes are loom-controlled. Beads threaded on the warp are used to manipulate the warp yarns, controlling the  twists. There are no beads in the finished project (unless one chooses to add them another way). The class discusses several variations on threading.

This class is primarily lecture, with the opportunity to try out the  technique on a floor loom. It covers the basics of drafting and weaving bead  leno, so that participants will be ready to try it at home. It teaches how to set up  this fascinating technique, how to create variations, and how to sew a wine gift bag  using bead leno fabric.

Sunday, November 7th, 1:00 – 3:00 PM

$35.

Spaced and Crammed Scarf by Margaret B. Russell

The Magic Happens class offers a sleight of hand – the weaving of a scarf with differential shrinkage using alpaca/wool and bamboo. The method is known as Cram and Space. The result – a scarf with enchantingly framed felted squares throughout! The alpaca/wool is a fiber that will full in the wet finishing process. The bamboo will shrink minimally. The Magic Happens scarf is guaranteed to mesmerize you.

This is an advanced beginner’s level project/skills class offering new challenges in working with different fibers and setts in one warp. You must be comfortable with the overall weaving process. You may need to plan to do some weaving outside of class time, as scarves must be completely woven by the beginning of the fifth class. We will remove scarves from looms during this last class and then everyone will full their scarves at A Loom with a View. We will all be able to share in the mystery of the completed Magic Happens scarves!
Wednesdays, October 20, 27, November 3,10, 17
6:00 – 8:30 pm
$175.
10% student discount on materials purchased for a class.

I have learned of a woman in Danvers who has a floor loom that was owned by the legendary MM Atwater. She bought it when she lived out in Utah. It hasn’t been used in years, and is reportedly in sad shape, but the price is right –
she seems to be willing to give it away.

It’s 4 harness, possibly countermarche. The woman who owns it is elderly – Sharon Clark.
She can be reached at:
978-777-5187.

Our very own Leah Reed is conducting a workshop on the techniques of fiber preparation for spinners  on Saturday, October 9th, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, at A Loom with a View. Leah will discuss how to make the transition from raw fleece to spinnable fiber, including hands-on practice with carding. Combing will be demonstrated. If you have your own hand cards, combs, or drum carder, please bring to class. One set of hand cards and a small drum carder will be available in class. Bring clean fiber or arrange in advance with the teacher to purchase a fiber sampler.
This is a great foundation class for all spinners, new and experienced. Not to be missed!