Whorled News

The Newsletter of the Carson Sierra Spinners and Weavers

           July 2007

  Whorled News is a bimonthly, published six times a year on odd months.

Carson Sierra Spinners & Weavers 
2120 Ives Ave
Reno NV 89503
Web Site: http://www.scs.unr.edu/~ashannon/cssw

Sharon Campbell, Editor
(775) 846-9095 (cell)
(775) 969-3121 (long distance)
 institches@rtci.net

Officers:

President: Heidi Erickson (775) 322-4790
VP: Kathleen Sensenig (775) 359-3764
Secretary: Connie Vann (775) 775-827-4218
Treasurer: Doris Woloszyn, (530) 993-4296

 

July 14 Guild Meeting  is at the home of Heidi Erickson, behind Shoppers Square.  Her street is one street north of Casazza Drive. We will take our drop spindles into the public arena following the meeting. Brown Bag. 

August 11th Guild Meeting  location is still undetermined.  This was be resolved at the July meeting with more information to follow. 

 

MAY MEETING MINUTES:

Approve the Minutes:  Minutes for both March & April, 2007 were approved without discussion.

Treasurer’s Report:  (covering 2 months).  9 more dues in.  $512.00 paid out for annual insurance fee.  There are currently 61 paid members.  $1,869.14 in balance.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

Fair Report:  Marc Eidmann is to be the Fleece Judge for both wool and mohair.  There is still no Handwoven Judge.  Beryl Moody still has not been asked.  Linda Loken will ask Beryl before the June meeting.

July Meeting Location:  We can’t meet at South Valleys Library, because it is already booked.  Suggestions were made for both Bartley Ranch and The Arboretum at Rancho San Rafael.  Marilyn Clarke volunteered to set us up with The Arboretum.  Heidi Erickson mentioned that Bartley Ranch would also love to have us--in July, or at any time.

May Faire:  Kathleen Sensenig reported details of a successful demonstration and thanked those who attended.  Mim’s felted butterflies were discussed as a possibility for Art Towne and/or the State Fair, to be made on-site, or to sell in kit form.

Old Business:

New Business:  Marilyn Clarke announced that the Arboretum plans to build a new self-sufficient building.  There will be a raffle to raise money.  Marilyn passed around a flyer to the members for An Evening of Wine & Roses.

Announcements:  Wayne Jesko announced that this meeting would be his last (sadly) before moving to Oklahoma, Wayne brought fleeces, roving, and yarn to the meeting to sell to the members, and a feeding frenzy was had!

Stephanie’s Spinning Workshop:  The class, to be held at Nancy Grundy’s house on 9/22/07, will hold 15 members.  It will be a Beginners’ Class, as the signup sheet yielded a clear majority.  Currently, 19 have signed up, so some will have to forfeit their spots and/or pay the class fee by the July meeting.  The ballpark cost of the class was figured to be about $30.00 per student, to be mailed to Doris, or paid in-person by the due date.

Show ’n Tell:

 Adjournment:  Brown Bag Lunch followed by a natural dyeing demonstration in Linda’s yard.

 

JUNE MEETING MINUTES:

Show ‘n Tell:

Minutes:  The May 2007 Minutes are in Sharon Campbell’s possession, but did not make it to Yahoo.

Treasurer’s Report:  $1,909.14 Balance.  62 Paid members.  Stephanie’s workshop will cost $30.  Fees should be in to Doris by the July meeting. 

Yahoo Group Report:  Heidi E. and others discussed how the message boards are to be used for a discussion tool, not as a decision-making tool.  Not all members are on the Yahoo Group, though it is still growing.  Polly Holmes mentioned that she misses the Newsletter being issued once a month, and would like to see it come back, even if she has to become the editor.  CSSW will take this issue up when Sharon attends the meeting.

Fair Report:  Amy Shannon passed out copies of instructions pertaining to the State Fair and went through each category.  Amy will need helpers, so encouraged members to think about what categories they can be available for.  Suggested was an Information Table and someone to gather info.  The Bag Project, Tweed Project, Sheep-to-Shawl, and a Demo Fleece will be on exhibition, as well as handmade entries and Nevada-grown fleeces.  Mim was asked to demonstrate felted butterflies at the Fair.  Annabelle will make a sign for “Items for Sale”.  Doris will donate roving for the drop spindle kits, numbering 20.  Beryl Moody will judge handspun-handmade items.  Marc Eidmann will judge the fleeces.  Judging Clerks will be needed, as will helpers.  Amy will be there at 8 AM on Saturday.  Connie volunteered to take charge of Name-the-Sheep.  Eileen donated a Louet Spinning Wheel for a prize.  “Nevada-grown” and “Best Made Out of Rare &/or Endangered Breeds” will be 2 new categories.  A Silent Auction Manager will be needed.  Doris volunteered to write up the judging results.  Kathleen Sensenig passed around a volunteer signup sheet for the Sheep-to-Shawl Demo.  It was moved, seconded, and passed that donators of fleece for the demo should be reimbursed.  Members are encouraged to help with Takedown, which begins at 6 PM on Sunday.  Please label display items, so they don’t get lost.  Labels will be made available at the Fair.

Newsletter Report:  Sharon needs articles.  Please send them in.

July Meeting:  Heidi Erickson’s house will hold meeting.  Address is 695 Colorado River Blvd, behind Shoppers’ Square.  Drop-Spindling is scheduled for Learning Tree, to be taught by Amy.  Bring drop spindles, chairs, roving, sunscreen, E-Z-Ups, and swimsuits.  CSSW Guild spindles will be available for use.  There may be a Show ’n Tell from Black Sheep Gathering too.

Learning Tree Report:  Linda Loken is out of town.

Tweed Project Report:  The different groups are coming along at their own speed.

Bag Project Report:  Due at August Meeting.   Written-up patterns are optional.

August Meeting:  Nancy Pryor will see about booking the South Valleys Library.

Old Business:  Hand-count for Black Sheep Gathering (June 22, 23, & 24) in Eugene, Oregon.  Amy will send an email re: carpooling, etc.

New Business:  Doris announced the Sew/Quilt Festival to be held at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center.  CSSW was offered a complimentary booth for one week prior to the State Fair.  Amy can post the entry form on email.   A Manager will be needed if CSSW participates.  Nancy Pryor designed a weave pattern for the sheep-to-shawl on her laptop.

Discussion:  Question:  “Do we need a committee to inventory skills of CSSW members for future workshops?”  Discussion should continue in July, with Linda Loken present.  Question:  “How do we come up with ideas, or questions, pertaining to possible articles for the Newsletter?”  Question: “Why don’t we donate handmade items we have made for a raffle?”  Linda E. donated her first rag rug to be used as a raffle item.

Announcements:  Marilyn Clarke will write up the particulars for a two-day dye workshop to be held at her home, sometime this summer.

Adjournment followed by Potluck Lunch:

Workshop:  Annabelle Younger taught CSSW members how to spin boucle yarns

 

Feminine Wisdom                                                                               Submitted by Annabelle Younger

Maiden, Mother, Crone

A woman's life is filled with stages, milestones ushering in wondrous experiential apexes like the coming of fertility, motherhood, and wisdom. Three aspects, maiden, mother, and crone, have traditionally represented the bounties and new beginnings represented by each stage. The maiden is the aspect of new beginnings, youth, playfulness, spontaneity, and learning. A woman in the prime of her life can be said to be living under the aspect of the mother, who personifies fertility, strength, and stability. She is the gentle nurturer as well as the fierce lioness. Lastly, and by far the most misunderstood and yet in many ways the most deserving of reverence, is the crone, who holds within her all of the wisdom of the journeys of womanhood within her.

The word crone once meant simply 'wise woman' and, in antiquity, was a term of respect. The crone was a voice of wisdom, an elder, a healer, a counselor, and a teacher, who had traveled the paths of maiden and mother and possessed the accumulated wisdom of youth, adulthood, and old age. She represented the fulfillment of maturity and the knowledge that could only be obtained through a life well lived. The transition to cronehood was a rich and empowering experience, and an important rite of passage, though not one associated with a specific age. Today, though it seems eternal youth has become an obsession, women are reclaiming the status once associated with cronehood by recognizing their evolution and acting upon it. In awakening the crone, as she once was, women are acknowledging the extraordinary wisdom, grace, dignity, and beauty that comes with age.

In embracing the aspect of the crone, it is important to be aware of the fact that age, experience, knowledge, and power are profound gifts that can never be taken from you. Each stage in life is yours and yours alone, and should be embraced as a vital part of life's journey. As you pass lovingly through each stage, coming finally to the remarkable crone, you will gradually be awakened to the mysteries of each, until you hold within you the keys to them all.

From the Crone Chronicles.  For more information visit Cronechronicles.com

 

The Learning Tree                                                                                                                 Linda Loken

I hope you were able to attend the boucle presentation by Annabelle at the June meeting.  Our heartfelt thanks to Annabelle!  The feedback has been great and some of those present have been practicing what they have learned.  Something about taking your lesson home and giving it a try that really helps cement the knowledge.  The cool thing about our Guild and the Learning Tree is that  you know who to take your questions to after you practice your new found skills and want to fine tune things that you need a little more help with or ask questions that take you further down the path.  You gotta love it! 

We have so many smart people in our guild with great experience.  The future is bright with more upcoming projects and workshops.  At our next Learning Tree after the July meeting at Heidi's house, we will be learning and practicing using a drop spindle.  Amy Shannon has volunteered to head this one up and will likely be getting some assistance from Heidi who has also taught using a drop spindle before.  Both are passionate about drop spindles, so we should be in for a great workshop!

The August Learning Tree is just as exciting.  Mim Bullard will share more of her love for felting with us as we explore the fascinating possibilities of Nuno Felting.  Some of you may remember Mim's show and tell and the beautiful Nuno Felted green top that Lisa Minter wore to the Christmas Party at Nancy Grundy's this past December.  I was lucky enough to sneak a private lesson at Virginia City and gotta confess, I have been bitten by the bug!  It's so easy and so totally cool.  Purses, book covers, scarves, hats, shawls.  It's amazing what can be done!  There's a U Tube video out from whatever that HGTV show is that does a That's Amazing (or something like that) segment.  If you Google Nuno Felting, it will come up.

It's all so exciting!!  Stay tuned for more information from our Learning Tree volunteers about supplies.  For sure you need to bring your drop spindle to the next meeting.  Someone has the guild's romney fleece that would be perfect for spinning.  See you there!!

The Learning Tree Calendar for 2007:

January 13th  – Plying – basic 2 ply and Navajo plying.

February 10th – More Plying - with tones, tint and shade for effect

March 10th – Fiber preparation and multicolor blending techniques video borrowed from the Handweaver's Guild of America

April 14th –  Natural Dyes – what is mordant, where do you get it, what dye stuff gives what color, how do you get dye stuff, how do you prepare dye stuff, and all that kind of stuff!

May 12th – Dye Day – bring your collection of stuff and let’s get colorful!

June 9th – Boucle novelty yarns

July 14th - Drop Spindle Spinning – get caught spinning at Artown!!!

August 11th – Felting – We want more felting!!!

September 8th – Spinster's Retreat – no workshop

October 13th – Beginning Weaving video borrowed from the Handweaver's Guild of America

November 10th – Weaving workshop – at least 5 looms to weave on with different techniques and patterns – everyone gets to weave!

December 8th – Christmas Party – no workshop

 

Question for the Newsletter:  What is the project that you learned the most from?

Mary B:  The project I learned the most from was knitting Medrith Glover’s Circumnavigated Cardigan Pattern (CNC) that I first knit about eight years ago.  At that time I was living in Tonopah and there was no person I could ask for help in knitting, because I was the most experienced knitter there.  So, I joined an on-line group called the Ample Knitters.  I knew there was more to knitting out there beside socks and scarves.  It was that at my size 3X then, I did not have a wide enough circle of information or ways to get it that let me know that there were countless patterns out there that were appropriate for up-sizing so that I could knit sweaters and other garments for myself and have them fit.  If you are a size twelve, there are gazillions of patterns out there, but then (it is a little better now) for 3Xer it was pretty limited. 

The Ample Knitters group run by Sheila Edgars was doing a “knit-a-long” then using Medrith’s CVC pattern and there were people larger than I was who were making sweaters that FIT PERFECTLY.  I thought this pattern must be a wonderful thing, and immediately ordered a copy from Medrith.  She has the Wool Room (yarn heaven) in Quincy California.  She does not take charge cards, just sends what you order with a handling fee and postage.  Whatever it totals, you send her a check back.  I knew immediately that this was a special person who would run her business like that.  She does a brisk international business.  Her husband Henry has his own business but frequently takes and picks up the mail for her.  It is interesting just to see where she sends things.

When the pattern came, I was shocked.  It was pages thick (that included two separate variations of the basic sweater as well).  I would take it to bed at night and read it like a novel.  After several times through I thought ok if hundreds of Ample Knitter folks can do this, so can I.  I called Medrith and arranged to drive to her shop that weekend and be there at 10 a.m. so she could measure me properly and help me select yarn.

Meeting Medrith was one of those life-changing experiences, you know it when it happens that you will never be the same.   I have not been.  We measured and picked out yarn.  Then she sat me down to knit a swatch.  I had no idea how critical a swatch could be never having knit anything more than socks, slippers and scarves.  I started out with this little dainty swatch.  Medrith said, “you think that is a swatch?”  I cast on again and knit a 6” x 6” inch SWATCH.  She then said, well what is your gauge?  I said innocently “about 4 stitches to the inch”.  She then said “ABOUT!”  So that day I found out about real swatches and that gauges could indeed be 3.75 stitches exactly!  I asked her “so you think this sweater will fit me” to which she replied, “if you knit to gauge and follow the pattern, it will be the best fitting sweater you will ever have.”

I happily took my bag of yarn and new 60” Addi Turbo needles home with me.  I had found from Medrith that at one time I would need five separate circular needles to make the sweater  (they can be any size, but you do need five). When I got back home on Sunday, I cast on for the beginning of my “best sweater”.  I merrily knit on and followed the directions.  I came to a part that I thought was absolutely impossible to do.  I called Medrith and said “can this be done?”  Her reply, “of course, if I wrote it, it can be done”.  There were a number of these types of calls during the knitting of THE SWEATER which I was so excited about I almost took time off work to knit around the clock.

In less than two weeks, I did indeed have the best fitting sweater I had ever had up until that time.  It fit perfectly.  Since that time I have knit the pattern six more times.  I took careful measurements of each of the people I was making that particular for.  One was a size 6, another had severe osteoporosis and have a very significant curvature of the spine (that is when I learned about short rowing), three and “regular” sized people and another for myself.  I knit and mailed those sweaters to each person without any of them ever trying them on and they all fit perfectly. 

I learned that gauge is critical and how to find out what gauge I am knitting and I learned that if Medrith writes a pattern and I knit to gauge the garment will fit me.  Her shop and she have been a source of inspiration to me every since.  If you haven’t been there, take time to go over or call and get a list of her patterns.  You would not believe her designs.  She is like an engineer for knitting.  I would suggest that you just buy them all up front, because the one you don’t get is the one you will dream about.  They are especially adaptable to hand spun, because you can make any pattern out of any yarn you spin, just check your GAUGE!  And yes if you really want to impress people, causally do the part where you are using five circular needles at one time.  I did it accidentally in a public one time had drawn about six people just standing there watching me (real number Amy, not exaggerated at all).  I was concentrating so hard that I didn’t notice them until a man spoke up and asked me what I was doing.  I said knitting and he said I had no idea it was so complex.  I said, only at this point in this one sweater pattern.  I put the knitting down and modeled my PERFECT SWEATER that I had on at the time.  He said “that is the result” and I smiled and nodded.  He commented; “I am an engineer, I must consider learning to knit if it can be that exciting”.

By the way, I have a standing offer at a very prestigious yarn store in another state that if I ever move there I can teach a continuous class teaching that sweater pattern.  Medrith said it would be ok as long as everyone who takes the class buys a pattern and promises not to copy it.  I would make sure that was enforced.  I’ll just give you her phone number now to save you all the trouble of emailing me or calling;  1-530-282-0648.  The last few years I have had little time to drive over because of my school commitments.  I am planning a trip this summer to go over and knit for the day.  The last chance I had to be over there, she was open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  She had so many requests from her customers to be open a little more that she had added any day divisible by four to the schedule.  BUT ALWAYS, REPEAT ALWAYS, CALL FIRST TO BE SURE SHE WILL BE OPEN.  She always goes (along with her mother Emily) to the Camp that Elizabeth Zimmerman and now Meg Swansen holds each summer.  Medrith has her own camp near Quincy each fall.  Someday I hope to go.

Sharon Campbell:  I know that the hardest and best lesson I had in weaving was a lap robe from my own handspun yarn.  I learned that if the selvege isn’t tensioned properly, the warp will arch forward at the selvege toward the loom and no amount of beating will cause it to flatten out.  I was fortunate to have Lisa Minter and her mom stop by to see the llamas at about the same time I had woven five inches.  Lisa told me to cut that off and retie it.  With proper tension, it wove up just fine.  I’ve since read in the Handwoven magazine to tension those warp threads separately, not tie them on with the rest of the warp at all.  I have also since learned how to use lease sticks when I tie up from the front instead of sleying from my hand – much better.

 

CLASSIFIED ADS:  (A free service to our guild members.  Ads run four months unless otherwise requested)

Merino wool/Angora rabbit blend socks.  Classic or Nordic(extra cushion) Very warm. Grey or cream colors.  Men's and ladies sizes.  Perfect gifts for anyone who works outside, skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, hunting or has poor circulation.  $16.00-$18.00 per pair.  Call Polly Holmes 775-577-2100 or email at holmes2jp@pyramid.net.

Markman Farm Dairy House Boutique, open Friday – Saturday, 12 pm – 5 pm, thru December 22.  716-325 Highway 395, Standish, Calif.  254-1011.  Tea Cozies, kitchen linens, handmade soap, bee balm, gifts, knitting patterns, handspun yarn,wool room, Jacob roving, raw fleece.  $100 gift certificate, door prize drawing August 25th. 

Lessons Wanted:  My friend is looking for handspun, possibly knitting lessons.  She lives in the Damonte Ranch area and is a beginning knitter, looking for some handspun yarn to spice up the simple (straight knitting at this point) stuff she is doing--mainly scarves for gifts.  She might also be interested in a few knitting lessons or a casual group of knitters she could get together with.  If anyone has some handspun for sale or might be interested in teaching a few lessons and/or knows of some beginning knitters she might get in touch with, please contact Lisa Jones at  LGFJones@gbis.com. 

Used and new books for sale: covering spinning, knitting, weaving and dyeing.  Email Allison Judge at fiberist@sbcglobal.net

 

Carson Sierra Spinners & Weavers

Our guild was formed in 1976 in an effort to create a resource for practicing and aspiring fiber artists in and near Carson City, Nevada.

Our goal is to:  Promote appreciation and knowledge of the fiber arts in our community through demonstrations, fairs, and other activities; provide a support network for fiber artists and enthusiasts in our area; Keep the fiber arts alive by encouraging others to take up spinning, weaving, knitting and other related arts; Support local and global fiber-related causes.

Meetings are normally held the 2nd Saturday of the month.  Plan to arrive after 10 a.m.; meetings are called to order at 11 am, with lunch and socializing afterwards.  Bring your spinning wheel, knitting or other handwork, and items for sharing. We welcome members and their guests at all levels of expertise.

Newsletter Submissions:  must be received no later than the last Wednesday of the month for inclusion in the next newsletter.  Submissions must be made in writing and sent by e-mail or snail mail by the deadline to Sharon Campbell, institches@rtci.net

Dues: Membership dues are $15.00 (without mailed copy of newsletter) or $20.00 per year if you select to receive the monthly newsletter via U.S. mail.  Membership runs from January to December.  Please provide your current email address when paying dues.  Send dues to: Doris Woloszyn at P.O. Box 229 Chilcoot, CA  96105, and make checks payable to Carson Sierra Spinners & Weavers.

Please Send Guild Correspondence to: 

Amy Shannon
2120 Ives Ave
Reno, NV 89503
ashannon@unr.edu

 

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