A Year-Long Sweater...

 What goes in to making something?  Creativity? Satisfaction of a "job well done"? Skill? Yes, all these things and much, much more. 

I'm going to focus one year and the sweater I made from my own hand spun yarn. 

As a lot of good things, this particular venture started in October at the NY Sheep and Wool Festival AKA Rhinebeck. In 2012, I decided to purchase enough roving to spin yarn for a sweater. I wanted the sweater to be crocheted (because I love crocheting) and I wanted it to be done by the following year when I would attend the festival again.

Jill Draper, Cal Patch and myself.

For this, my first entire sweater made from my own hand spun, I needed a special tool. So, I paid a visit to the Willette's booth. The Willette's hand-make tools for creating textiles. They are beautiful. I believe in the resonance of the maker on an object, so I was starting this project with all the care and attention that this couple puts into making their tools. I was also using roving that had been grown by a wool grower - someone who cared for their sheep. The sheep's gift in return, a lovely fleece. The care it took to process and dye this roving was also imbued in the wool. A lot of hands had already been involved in the process of making this sweater and I had not even started my part yet!

Mr. Willette hard at work.

I returned home and the year went on. 

I started spinning in November…. My idea was to create a multi-coloured yarn that didn't repeat and had short sections of colour. I decided I would randomly spin the 5 colours of roving into my singles and then chain-ply them to retain the general look of changing colour repeats.

 

The winter went by and in addition to spinning for this sweater I was working on Holiday gifts and other stuff.

In April, my nephew Finn was born… I continued spinning with the joy of now having another little one in my life.

Proud Auntie!

In May, I started my third year of school (the "hump-year" for the OHS program) and I spent a lot of time over the next several months spinning, sampling, dyeing and writing in preparation for handing in my homework. I took a break from my personal spinning at this point. But, it was there, a few skeins and a nearly full bobbin. I saw it and I ruminated and my skills improved because of school.

June was a big month. I got a chance to go to the beautiful province of Newfoundland. It was for Boomer's 40th birthday - a milestone in itself. In addition to the beauty of the east coast of Canada, I was struck by how wonderfully supported crafts people are in the province. I got to visit many studios and galleries and was greatly inspired.

This inspiration was tempered with grief as news of the passing of a close friend. I now was working on this project in reflection of his life and how the loss affected those left behind. It became more meditative and less intentional.

July brought a huge life change - Boomer and I purchased a house! I never thought this would be possible in my life. The thing that struck me most about the house was the room that has become my studio. Spinning in the bright sun coming in the windows and listening to the sounds of our new neighbourhood was refreshing and healing after the loss of the month before.

Early in September was a chance to say, "Cheerio" to my friend with some wonderful people in my life. We celebrated his life by taking a Scottish themed cruise around Toronto on a tall ship and letting some origami cranes float away. This would have been close to my friend's heart and we were able to grieve and celebrate. By now, I was finished making all the yarn I needed and was ready to swatch.

In mid-September I was lucky enough to attend the Wolfe Island Fibre Festival with my friend Andie of Well Turned Out Fibre House who was selling her hand-dyed and processed fibre. I started crocheting in the autumn sun surrounded by "fibre people".

Shadows on the beach of Wolfe Island.

 

Here we are back to October 2013. I finished my Violaine just in time to wear to Rhinebeck.

Some fun puppet friends at Rhinebeck 2013.

So, you see… A lot goes into each step of making something. Joy, sorrow, reflection, planning, pride. All of these emotions and factors are reflected in the spinning and in the stitches. The yarn isn't perfect and there are things I would do differently next time. However, the alchemy and memory of everything that happened over that year will remain in the fabric of this sweater. And, every time I look at it, feel it, or wear it, I'm reminded of how it grew to become what it is. It may not be visible to others, but to me, it's all there - in every last stitch.

The Possible

Being in California was such a time of recharging and inspiration. One of the very best things I had the good fortune to do, was visit the Berkeley Art Museum and the ongoing and amazing interactive exhibit, The Possible. 
To call it an "exhibit" is kind of the wrong word, it's more of a learning experience facilitated by many artists, musicians and craftspeople.

Group indigo dye dip.

The weekend I was there, there were several things going on. A giant rug was being worked on by the artist (Fritz Haeg) as well as the public, there was a group indigo dye session in full swing, participatory print making area, beeswax candle making and some weaving going on. The music studio was set up and people were there making sounds and videos, the library was set up for people to peruse and use to make zines. 



I cannot describe the full extent of how I felt on my visit, because it was a full sensory experience, one that is not easily described in words. Please look at the information and videos on the BAM website. 
It was really a learning experience, a place to make and leave a mark. As pieces are created, they are moved to a growing and changing exhibition space which will house the culmination of The Possible as the weeks go on.

Print making station.

It felt so good to participate and I left feeling inspired and less scatterbrained about being very multi-diciplanary in my own work. 
I was happy to be accompanied by my creative cohort Jenne -  it was wonderful to experience this together. I got to watch her remove her cute handmade dress and give it a dip in the indigo vat. 





















We also got to visit artist and nature dyer Kristine Vejar's indigo vat after we had spoken with her about it at her booth at Stitches West (I also got to visit her dreamy store A Verb for Keeping Warm on the same day). 
Driving back to the South Bay from Berkeley that day during California's "magic hour" and sipping on our Arnold Palmers - Jenne and I were on cloud 9!

Kristine and Jenne at Stitches West.

Happy as can be at A Verb for Keeping Warm.

Sewing Lockdown - Hodgepodge Farm Residency #2

Sewing in front of the fire...

This past October, I spent about 10 days at my annual Hodgepodge Farm Residency. This year the theme was "Sewing Lockdown". 
In the 10 days, I think Cal and I left the house maybe once or twice and both times were on a sewing related errand. We spend our days drafting patterns, trying out patterns we'd been wanting to make, drinking gallons of tea and cooking fantastic meals. We ended our lockdown with a totally glamourous photo-shoot showcasing our new wardrobes. 
I totally feel so much more confident with my seaming and construction techniques now - thanks to my advisor, Cal. 

Always make a muslin for fit, even if it's hideous xmas fabric!

Before I left for my trip I spend days shopping for fabric online and quite nearly "broke the bank" on organic jersey, sweatshirt fabric and other must have goodies. I really feel like I had to walk away from my "shopping cart" several times and snap myself back to reality before I continued paring down my purchases.  I think I ended up with a good base to make loads of sweatshirts, long-sleeved tees and leggings - the staples of any wardrobe (in my opinion). 
All in all, I drafted and tested patterns for: leggings, a sweatshirt, a shift dress, a smock dress and a tee-shirt. 

Long sleeved tee and crocheted Coral Cloche hat.

Cowl neck sweatshirt.

Shift dress, leggings and tee.

Smock dress.

I also made the Painted Portrait Dress by Anna Maria Horner and got to incorporate an amazing batik print I purchased at Rhinebeck by Amity Farms Batik for the yoke. The last thing was a Wiksten Tova out of a double gauze Nani Iro print - amazing. So, 7 garments, 5 of which I drafted the pattern for - to fit ME - in 10 days... Not so bad!

Painted Portrait Dress with sheep themed batik.

Wiksten Tova in Nani Iro.

As usual, I had an amazing time with Cal and being upstate NY during the autumn and meeting her new chickens, visiting Gertie and other friends. I have to admit, my favourite chicken is now "Minky"...

Cal and I posing 70s style in our Painted Portraits...

Were we to have a band, this would be our album cover.

Minky is the creamy white one... 

Hallowe'en Mask Workshop!

Come Learn to Weave on a Cardboard Loom!

This is a fun class!  All you need is a piece of cardboard and some extra yarn! 

Thursday, May 9th 6:30-9pm.
Weaving on a Cardboard Loom - This is a beginner class that will use very simple techniques to get you weaving creatively! No weaving experience necessary - all you need is a piece of cardboard and some yarn... away you go!  
$30 click here for more info or to register.

Classes Coming up at Make Your Mark Studio!

I'm so excited to be gearing up for teaching at Make Your Mark Studio - my new home!  
Here is a list of the classes that are coming up please email me if you need further info or would like to sign up for a class. I'm also working on a website up-date that will make things smoother and getting pictures all ready, but for now:

Thursday, May 9th 6:30-9pm.
Weaving on a Cardboard Loom - This is a beginner class that will use very simple techniques to get you weaving creatively! No weaving experience necessary - all you need is a piece of cardboard and some yarn... away you go!  
$30 click here for more info or to register.


Friday, May 10th Noon-1pm.
Knit Stitch of the Month - Making Holes, Intro to Lace. This is the beginning of a monthly noon time series. This month we'll be learning the basics of lace - making holes. All you need is some yarn and knitting needles!
$15 click here for more info or to register.


Friday, May 24th Noon-1pm.
Crochet Stitch of the Month - Single and Double Crochet. This is the beginning of a monthly noon time series. This month we'll be learning the foundations of crochet - the single and double crochet stitches. All you need is some yarn and a crochet hook!
$15 click here for more info or to register.


Monday, June 3rd and Monday, June 10th 6:00-9pm.
Make your own leggings -Leggings are a necessary item of clothing these days! In this class we will be using a bleach based formula to "draw" on your fabric, making your leggings truly your own! In addition, we'll be drafting a pattern that fits YOU and making the actual leggings! What a wonderful class.... I'll be co-teaching with Alison Ellett.
$60 for both classes click here for more info or to register.



Thursday, June 6th 6:30-9pm.
Kitchen Sink Stamps - What a fun class! We'll be learning how to print on your own fabric using very easy methods and materials that you can easily find around the home to make very interesting and modern prints on fabric! Then you can really personalize anything you sew - garments, accessories, handbags - anything!
$30 click here for more info or to register.


Friday, June 7th Noon-1pm.
Knit Stitch of the Month - The Twisted Rib Stitch. An interesting "twist" on a basic rib stitch. All you need is some yarn and knitting needles!
$15 click here for more info or to register.


Friday, June 21st Noon-1pm.
Crochet Stitch of the Month - Intro to Broomstick Lace. This is a very fun and zippy way to make beautiful lace. It uses a very large knitting needle, a crochet hook and yarn. A new and fun technique
$15 click here for more info or to register.

Tuesday, June 25th 6:30-9pm
Creative Mending - Do you have a pile of knitwear or nice clothing with small catches or holes? Garments you really love?? Don't throw it away - mend it! Come learn some creative mending techniques for your garments.
$30 click here for more info or to register.


Tuesday, July 11th 6:30-9pm
Granny Squares, Circles, Triangles... - Grannies are in - in all shapes and sizes... join the craze and get hooking!
$30 click here for more info or to register.



Friday, July 12th Noon-1pm.
Knit Stitch of the Month - Reversible Cable Stitch.  You can add this technique to a scarf, shawl or any double sided piece you're working on. All you need is some yarn, a cable needle and knitting needles!
$15 click here for more info or to register.


Friday, July 26th Noon-1pm.
Crochet Stitch of the Month - Tunisian Crochet Basics. This is a fun technique that is coming back in a big way! Also called the Afghan Stitch... All you need is some yarn and a crochet hook with a long shank!
$15 click here for more info or to register.


Saturday, July 27th 11-2pm
Freeform Crochet and Knitting. This is going to be a fun class full of creativity. You will be guided on how to use your knitting and/or crochet in a new and exciting way! Come with yarns and different sized crochet hooks and knitting needles and get ready to dive in to creativity!
$35 click here for more info or to register.

Registration info:
All classes will be taught at Boarding House Arts, 6 Dublin Street South in Guelph at Make Your Mark Studio Suite 301.

I keep classes small in order to be able to spend one-on-one time with each student. 

Please register in advance by contacting me using the links next to the class you are interested in or emailing me here.

Payment in full for the class is due upon registration, please check your schedule and class description carefully, registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. I also do not offer make up classes.

If you must cancel a class you have registered for, please notify me at least 48 hours in advance and I will issue you a credit toward another class.  

The prices listed are for the class only, materials are additional. I will provide a full materials list upon registration as well as suggestions on where to purchase your supplies.

If a class does not run due to low registration or extenuating circumstances, you will be refunded in full.

Doors will open 15 minutes before class and class will start promptly. Please be on time.

I welcome ideas for classes and also accept private students in: knitting, crochet and hand-spinning.