January 2020 Newsletter

I don’t care if it rains or freezes,
As long as I have my yarns and fleeces
Piled up on my loom and at my wheel.
I can wile away many an hour
As winter wields its mighty power,
​Sitting at my loom and by my wheel…
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​This year starts with gratitude for my yarns and fleeces, and a lovely warm, light and larger space for weaving and sewing. The hours of daylight are short, but not getting any shorter. With the holidays past and outdoor work not viable for a while, this is my favorite time of year for fiber work. Come to find out, January is officially “knit for yourself month” where we let go of the projects for loved ones, and settle into some restorative knitting, on projects that may have been put aside or put off in favor of getting the gifts finished. From now until the daffodils start coming up, it’s weaving time for me! Getting serious about my color challenge project: I have the inspiration, the yarns, the plan, and the loom I want to use. Which has a project on it: a painted warp that didn’t turn out as originally envisioned. Sampling now, with four yards of opportunity to adapt something ventured into something useful, in a timely manner. 
The new studio space also provides room for more than one person at a time, and a table for meeting and finishing. Friend and neighbor Judy asked to learn to weave in November, has now completed two scarves on the rigid heddle loom. We are setting up a course of study, and she’ll be introduced to the four-shaft floor loom next week (weaving with hands AND feet!) The guild has welcomed several new members recently, and that may include Judy in the year to come. 
Other regional Guilds are talking about a “Noh Coat Challenge”  for 2021, based on fashion icon Bonnie Cashin’s design, and this will be introduced at the January WWG meeting. January 18 will find us meeting in Bellingham, at St. James Presbyterian Church, for a warm picture show, with hands-on textiles, recounting members Marilyn Olsen and Sheri Ward’s amazing month-long trip to India, on a Maiwa Textile Tour.  We will also talk about programs and activities for 2020. The meeting starts at 10 am, bring your sack lunch, and whatever is hot off your needles, spindle or loom!

Warmly,

Carol Berry,
2019-2020 WWG President

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