June 2021 Newsletter

Each One Teach One

Yesterday I had a visitor in my studio! A close friend, also a Guild member, who understands that yarn on every surface, surrounding piles of books, topped with graph paper and colored pencils is not really a “mess.” Still, I tidied up a bit before she got here, so we could both sit down at the table for a visit. I wound sample skeins for my upcoming online Natural Dye workshop, and she looked through the stack of older VAV magazines while we had a good chat. These particular magazines from the 1980’s are written in Swedish. Even though neither of us read or speak Swedish, the photos are gorgeous, the weaving seems very contemporary, and the drafts are possible to figure out! As weavers, we know the code. Translate few key words, (i.e. bomullsgarn means cotton, varp is warp, sett is, well, sett) convert centimeters to inches, and we can do this! (Tip. divide the number of centimeters by 2.5, and you get inches. Multiply ends per CM by 2.5, and you get EPI. Round up or down to get a whole number.) This is how we keep our brains going right? And when we don’t get it, or aren’t sure, we ask another weaver.

Looking back to June 2020, we were just figuring out how to connect with each other and our creativity in a pandemic that showed little real sign of slowing down. That summer, with precautions, we were able to get together in small groups outdoors, to connect, learn, share our fiber work and show off our cute masks. By that Fall, we were figuring out online Guild meetings and dialing into online workshops and classes. One year later, as a Guild we have formalized support for Study Groups, both in person and virtual, and committed to safety and inclusivity with monthly Zoom meetings and occasional outdoor gatherings. Driveway warping demos have become a thing. Inkle loom, tray table, folding chair in the car? Check, check and check. There are plans for larger outdoor meetings in the Summer!

​​Unfinished projects and new starts. I have looms that are warped, dye pots ready, strawberries and peas are getting ripe, baby zucchini plants that need watering. I am excited for our June meeting, to share what is ahead for the Summer and Fall.


See you soon,

Carol Berry
WWG President
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