LOSE YOUR HEAD AND LEARN A NEW SKILL

Elvira, our headless mascot, wants you to accept this year's guild challenge and learn a new fiber-related skill. Bring a project created using your new skill to the June picnic. You can even double-dip and enter the project into the Nevada County Fair! It is not too late to get started.

~ Are you a knitter that would like to learn how to crochet? Or maybe you crochet and want to learn how to manipulate those two needles. 

~ Do those pretty, fluffy batts make you want to learn how to spin yarn? Or are you a spinner that would like to weave a lovely scarf with your handspun?

~ Have you been weaving yarn for years and now you want to weave baskets. Or do bands made using cards with holes punched in their four corners intrigue you?

~ Were you inspired by all that color alchemy last year and now you want to dye everything in sight but don’t know how to get started?

~ Or maybe this whole idea stresses you out and you want to stab something. Give needle felting a try. 

And if you are dedicated to your fiber craft of choice, commit to learning a new skill within that craft. Knitters, have you tried brioche? Intarsia? Weavers, have you woven a double-wide blanket or a collapsed weave? Crocheters, have you tried three-dimensional textured crochet squares? Dyers, have you used a blanket? Spinners, have you tried a fang?

Bonus activity:  Knit, spin, weave, dye, crochet, felt, embroider, etc., with intention. Make every stitch, pass or minute spent working with fiber an opportunity to send peace and love out into the world.

by Carol Pepper-Kittredge

On February 24, sixteen Foothill Fibers Guild members assembled at Jeanne's home for an introductory session on natural dyeing. The group included some very accomplished and skilled FFG dyers as well as complete beginners; but all came together to build community, share information, and have a fun time!  Four natural dye stations were set up: mahonia, onion skins, avocado and apple bark. Participants received sample packs of pre-mordanted yarn, roving, and a silk scarf to try one or more natural colors. A separate demo on the mordanting process using Alum helped explain how to prepare fiber for the dye pot, as well as a primer on safety and personal protective gear.   

So - what was the 'winner' for the day? It was definitely the onion skins!  The other pots produced very light colors, which might be typical if the pot temperature gets too hot (above 160 degrees F), or if the material needs more exposure time in the pot.  All-in-all, it was a happy and productive day, and we hope that participants gained greater confidence in continuing their natural dyeing journey.  

Due to strong FFG member interest, a second introductory session will be held on March 24 at Brenda's home!  A few spots are still available - sign up at (EventBrite link).  

Thank you to FFG Dye Day committee members Jeanne, Gretchen, Brenda, and Carol for coordinating these events!

Our rigid heddle weaving demonstration at Second Saturday was very successful. Mary started with an explanation of how weaving works on a variety of small looms. There was a poster with weaving words and their meanings to help with the new vocabulary. Interested folks were able to try their hand at weaving on a 10" Schacht Cricket loom and a 20" Schacht Flip loom. 

Second Saturday was well attended. We had at least five guests and a dozen members socializing while knitting, spinning, crocheting, warping small looms. Most importantly, everyone had a lovely time enjoying fiber fun.

The first beginning natural dyeing workshop offered on February 24th was great fun, and the stated goals were met. Everyone in attendance left with an idea of how they might set up dye pots using natural materials with animal fibers at home. 

Carol, Gretchen, and Jeanne organized the day and did a great job. There were warm beverages and homemade banana bread (thank you Jeanne) available for everyone as registered attendees gathered at Jeanne’s house. Carol went over mordanting and prepared fiber samples were distributed. Everyone tagged their seven samples with their names; two white yarn mini-skeins, two gray yarn mini-skeins, two bits of wool roving in bags, and a silk scarf. The group was organized into four groups, one for each dye pot. The group members were responsible for overseeing the four dyestuffs:  apple bark, avocado pits and skins, mahonia, and onion skins. Attendees decided which pots would receive their samples. Pots were heated and when ready, the samples were added. 

At noon, everyone took a break and had lunch. The weather was perfect and everyone had a chance to chat and enjoy the sunny day. There was also an opportunity to take a peek into Jeanne’s weaving yurt. Afterwards, the samples were lifted from the pot liquor and attendees were given the opportunity to take some of the dye liquid home in their quart jars. Instructions were given for rinsing and drying, and any lingering questions were answered. 

Many thanks to Carol, Gretchen and Jeanne for organizing this great workshop. Thank you, too, to Louisa for sharing her extensive knowledge of dyeing. 

Because this workshop was so popular, a second was added on March 24th. Brenda offered to host at her home in Nevada City. It is sure to be as much fun as the first.

Photos are available online at the Recent Workshops page. https://foothillfibersguild.wildapricot.org/sys/website/?pageId=18167

Brenda and her team of knitting mentors helped a group of beginners get started during the January and February Second Saturday meet ups. Yarn, needles and patterns for dishcloths were provided. They had so much fun the beginners are meeting again at the library. Join the FFG Beginning Knitters group to get all the info.