Whorled News

The Newsletter of the Carson Sierra Spinners and Weavers

           May 2008

  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

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

 

May 10th Guild Meeting  location is the South Valleys Library multi-purpose room.  Driving directions:  Exit onto Mt Rose Hwy from Hwy 395 and proceed west to the first stop light which is Wedge Parkway.  Turn right and continue about a mile.  Turn right on Whites Creek Lane  The library is bright yellow and quite visible. This meeting is Brown Bag.

June 14th Guild Meeting location is Bartley Ranch.  Drive .8 mile west from the intersection of McCarran Blvd and Hwy 395.  Turn left (south) on Lakeside Drive and continue .4 mile.  Bartley Ranch is at the north base of Windy Hill.  Turn left on Bartley Ranch Road and continue several hundred feet to the main parking lot.  This meeting is Potluck.

 

MARCH 2008 MINUTES                                                                                                                         

Welcome and Introductions:

February Minutes:  The February Minutes have not been posted, as yet.  Therefore, they will have to be approved later on.

Stitches:  Heidi E. reported going to Stitches recently.  Many of the workshops pertained to “customized fit”.  Mary interjected that there is a website re: customized fit that can also help.  (She will forward the web address to Amy and Sharon, so members can check it out in future.)

Dye Workshop:  Doris will send an email to the membership  announcing how many slots are left open for the May 17 & 18 workshop.  Members who plan to attend are encouraged to pay Doris for their slots.

Treasurer’s:  $1,227.91 working balance.  $200 donation paid to Annabelle Younger.  Liability Insurance has been paid.  More discussion re: donations.  (See Old Business.)

Fair:  Amy reported that there was a Fair Meeting via video-conferencing, that she was involved in.  She will report on it at a later date, as she has been working very hard lately.

Newsletter:  Sharon reported that the posed questions have been working very well, but there have not been entered any classified ads in awhile.

Learning Tree:  Next Learning Tree will be on Fiber Preparation.  Bring fiber with you to the next meeting.  Polly Holmes will bring in some mohair fleeces.

Equipment List :  Doris talked to Toni Strassburg, whose husband is making room in their storage bin for the Fair equipment.  An additional bin has been purchased to house equipment.

Fiber Friends List:  Connie brought copies to the meeting for distribution.  Members were reminded to view the same list, which is stored on Yahoo.  Amy suggested that the list also be mailed to members who do not have computers, and receive the newsletter by mail.

May Fair:  Kathleen reported that the May Fair will be held on the same day as Marilyn Clarke’s Dye Workshop.  Those members not attending the workshop might consider helping out at the May fair.

Old Business:  Donations.  To whom and how much?  (1) to ourselves t sponsor some workshops, (2) SURF, (3) Heifer Project, (4)  the textile museum in Carson City, etc.  Next month, let’s have some concrete information put together, so members can vote on it.

New Business:  Doris reported that there is a journalist who would like to interview members of our Guild for a published story.  Mim and Sharon volunteered.  Contact: sbotich@charter.net, susan@susanbotich.com, or www.susanbotich.com.

Announcements: 

 Show and Tell:

1)      Heidi E. - 2 beautiful drop spindles, a set of interlocking foam blocking squares called Knitters’ Blocks, which she purchased at  SOAR in Santa Clara, recently.  She also laid out many other items for members to look at during lunch.

2)       Melanie Carr - a Debra’s Garden needle gauge and some semi- precious stone lace markers she also purchased at SOAR

3)       Barbara Hunt - several dyed skeins spun from Mim’s ewe, Nova.

4)       Sherilyn -  a pictorial wall hanging from Peru, where she recently  visited.

5)       Libby Hejny - her first felted (knitted) handbag, and some straps she  Japanese-braided.

Meeting Adjourned:  Brown Bag Lunch:  Learning Tree Workshop:  Portuguese Knitting with Allison Judge.

 

APRIL 2008 MINUTES                                                                                                                       

Welcome and  Announcement of items for sale in the back room.  Ranger Marie paid a visit.

Introductions:  Several guests in-attendance.  One new member.

Treasurer‘s Report:  $2,142.91 collected with $1,288.91 working balance.  Handweavers’ Guild of America dues have gone up.  Members were asked to approve renewal.  There was some discussion re: benefits of membership.  For instance, an HGA membership supports spinning and weaving education in the U.S.  Also, members from other groups can attend our meetings and share information.  Motion was seconded and passed.

Fair Report:  Amy reported that the Fair ‘08 now has a co-chairman, Jen Overby.  Amy passed around Fair information.  Suggestions encouraged.  She went over her list of jobs-to-be-done, and committees needed.  No silent auction on fleeces this year.  Nevada-grown and Featured Breed of Sheep (Tunis) are new categories.  New displays.  Motion was made, seconded, and passed that members make more drop-spindling kits for sale at the Fair.  Members signed up for various jobs, however there are still some slots open.  Amy will put together more details and get them out to everyone.  Toni Strassburg will bring the three bins of Fair equipment.  Discussion re: could the Guild hold a spinning contest somewhere else besides the Fair, since there wasn’t much participation last year.  Eileen Hickey still wants to donate her Louet spinning wheel to the Beginning Contestant who wins first prize.  There will be a new category for judging.  i.e., skeins spun by one year-or-less spinners.  No fireworks for 2008.  Discussion re: do we need to have a project for items made using Tunis Fleece, seeing as we are featuring characteristics of the breed?  If so, do we need to acquire some Tunis fleeces for Guild use?

Dye Workshop Report:  Marilyn Clarke had handouts for those attending the workshop on May 17 and 18.  See Marilyn about donating equipment for the use of the workshop.

Newsletter Report:  Sharon is going to re-issue the featured question.  Please send in articles.

Learning Tree Report:  Linda reported that there would be a Fiber Prep Workshop after lunch.  Wool, mohair, and alpaca would be featured, as well as special tools used in processing.  There would be several stations outside the building for members to view during the workshop.  Charka spinning will be featured in May.  In June there will be a barbecue held at Bartley Ranch (brick building).  The June Learning Tree will feature a Fiber Pot Luck and demonstrations on spinning different fibers.  In July, the meeting will be held at Mim Bullard’s house.  Drop-spindling will be featured for Learning Tree.

Fiber Friends‘ List:  Connie passed around copies for new members.  Amy will forward the Word file to Polly Holmes, so she can enclose a copy of the list for those members who receive the Newsletter.

Old Business:  Marilyn Clarke brought information on  the silk industry.

Donations:  Mary motioned that CSSW donate $200 to the Heifer Project.  Motion was seconded and passed. 

Suggestion:  CSSW narrow down some potential workshop teachers to come and teach us.  Linda will work on something for the Newsletter so members can have input.

New Business:  Amy had flyers for Woolgathering in October (Cedarville). Also, she had Foothills Guild Newsletter to pass around.  There’ll be a Chautauqua demonstration during ArTown.  Heidi E. brought CNCH flyers.  Virva recalled info for Farm Days demonstration recently aired via email which will be two weeks from now.  Demonstrators needed.

Show ‘n Tell :  Amy in behalf of Eileen Weber:  a hand spindled ball of Creollo wool from Chile.  Virva - A Vogue Knitting magazine w/ knitted sample of  circular jacket featured in magazine.  It can be worn 2 ways. (She modeled).  Hazel -  An area rug she made with Persian knots.  Nancy Pryor -  A hand painted, handwoven shawl.  Toni Strassburg -  Several skeins of yarn that her sister spun after her lesson with Toni.  Mim -  two wet-felted purses.   Sharon Campbell -  A handspun, handwoven lap robe.  Sue Gottsacker: - Flyers and some tatted butterflies she made  while flying to Texas recently.   Mary:  the start of a hand knit lace shawl recently started.  Connie -  A beginning weaving book, and a poncho made of  wool/alpaca/mohair dishrags knitted on the bias.

Meeting Adjourned:  Potluck Lunch:  Learning Tree - Fiber Prep Workshop.

 

Fair Project Reminder:  Last year we challenged ourselves to make bags.  The only direction was to chose something that would challenge our creativity.  This year we chose to make our fair project a scarf, and again the only direction is to chose a scarf that will challenge you to push yourself – maybe try something different.  If you have some Tunis or can get some, that would even be better since you would be combining the project with fiber from the Sheep of the Year.   The key word is to challenge yourself.

 

Random Palette Generator                                                                                      Sharon Campbell 

Beryl Moody sent me a link to this site sponsored by Flickr.  http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/colors.php  She said she kept thinking about using it when she looked at Amy’s dogwood pictures.  I decided to play with it because so many times on my morning walks with the dogs I think that the gorgeous colors of the high desert would be wonderful colors to dye with.  The “browse” automatically went to My Pictures and after selecting a photo, the next step was to click on Create.  I sampled a range of photos I had taken of Nevada in different seasons, times of day, weather and sunsets.  I couldn’t stop – just one more picture!  The results were more than I could have hoped for and I invite you to share in the fascination.

 

May Question:                                                                                                                                              

Shaped sweaters went out of style with the 1950s.  Most of us only have experience knitting raglans and sweaters shaped like sweatshirts.  The new rage is shaping - it's everywhere.  A brief article even appeared in the Knit Picks yarn catalog.   How to you feel about knitting a shaped sweater and have you done it - love it or hate it?

Laura Cunningham:   Ok, I haven't knit any shaped sweaters. Why, you might ask?  Well, I'll tell ya.  Being a woman of a certain age, I have ceased to have a shape, or the "traditional" shape that most patterns have.  Because I lead an active life, I like sweaters that are loose and fit like sweatshirts - I don't care what they look like, since I'm not out to impress anyone - the sheep don't care what I look like, only that I show up and feed them!

Donna Anderson:  I've done a lot of knitting, including shaped sweaters. They are fun to make and offer challenges that the boxier style can't. There are specific skills involved, like really understanding how to add and delete stitches, pattern reading, careful measurement, etc. But really once you know how to knit and purl, anything is possible. Don't be afraid to try something different. If the shaped sweater doesn't come out exactly right the first time, you can either take it apart and try again or give it to someone that it fits.  Donna Anderson:  knitter for 46 years; spinner for 2 weeks (too frustrating ;o); weaver for 2 projects (no time right now)

Bev David:  Re Shaping.  It certainly has its points.  If you are top heavy or bottom heavy a little shaping will contour the garment to your body by just adding a few short rows.  I've designed/altered designs for students occasionally when they need special fitting on garments.  Personally, I prefer multi-colored knitting using modular techniques and like to make use of design to "fool" the eye.  Being vertically challenged I like to add long lines to add height whenever I can and they also work to visually slim a person - also handy since I'm no runway model.

Jennifer Hill:  Re Shaping.  It certainly has its points.  If you are top heavy or bottom heavy a little shaping will contour the garment to your body by just adding a few short rows.  I've designed/altered designs for students occassionally when they need special fitting on garments

Connie Vann:  I am convinced that gentle shaping works better on my body than extreme shaping.  I know a young woman who is petite and curvy.  She therefore gets lost in boxy sweaters.  So, if I were going to knit a sweater for someone with that body type, I'd try out the tightest-fitting, most tailored sweater pattern I could find, with the understanding that I'd probably have to make the same sweater several times to get it exactly right.  Gauge is very important, of course.  I like the nostalgic trend towards fit, because the 50's style makes it possible for women to be something besides a 6-foot tall beanpole.

Sharon Campbell:  I decided to take a middle of the road approach to shaping – somewhere between a  dropped shoulder and a 1950s sweater set.  I  used the shaped option on my Sweater Wizard software when I designed my last sweater.  It’s my most favorite sweater I have ever made and I certainly did not expect it to be.  In spite of being shaped, it’s comfortable and maybe that’s because it’s not as heavy  because I needed less yarn.

Hermi Hiatt:  Just my five cents worth on fitted sweaters: they are much too hot and confining, partly due to homes heated too much and the hotflash phenomena.

 

Workshop Ideas                                                                                                        Linda Loken

As promised, we are looking for ideas for a guild sponsored workshop.  We thought it might be a good idea to get some new ideas from some new teachers on some new topics for a change.

    Some of the ideas we have had so far include:

We have solicited more ideas in an effort to find a subject with wide appeal, a reasonable price, and someone who wants to come here to teach us.  This is pretty much what we have come up with and it hasn't been a very enthusiastic response.  We will be taking a vote on these ideas at the next meeting.  It could be that we'd rather just keep learning from each other.  There have been some good ideas on that as well.  Maybe we rather just take on of the targets of interest from the Learning Tree and make a day of it with some guild sponsored material.  Hmmmm....That should be one of the ideas up for vote also.

  

The Learning Tree                                                                                                                 Linda Loken

Special thanks to all those who demonstrated at the last learning tree.  Nancy Grundy shared her technique for using wool combs, Mim talked about skirting Shetland fleece and Alpaca, Marilynn gave a demonstration and handout on washing fleeces, Nancy Pryor showed us picking and combing with small combs, Polly talked to us about mohair, Allison showed us hand carding and Sharon showed us drum carding.  Whew!  That was an awful lot to squeeze into one event, but it was both lively and educational.

The next learning tree is going to be on Charka spinning.  Charka spinning is typically used with cotton, though I think it can be used for other fibers.  I haven't tried it myself and can't wait to learn from one of our most talented Charka spinners, Heidi Erickson.  We are hoping that everyone who has a Charka will bring it so we can all have a hands on try at it.

In June we will be bringing back the FIBER POTLUCK - To enhance our learning experience of learning to spin different fibers different ways at the workshop after the June meeting, you are all invited to participate in the FIBER POTLUCK!  Amy had this great idea that will allow those who participate to share their fiber of choice in exchange for a sample of the fiber other participants have chosen to bring and then we will demonstrate the techniques recommended for each of the various fibers.

Each participant should bring enough fiber (ready to spin) to serve 6 participants in addition to themselves.  In return, participants will be able to select 6 fiber samples from the other participants.  We have broken the fibers up into the following four categories:

  • Appetizer - Man-made fibers (See below)

  • Salads - Cellulose fibers

  • Main Course - Sheep fibers - Fine, Medium and Coarse

  • Deserts - Camelids, Goats, Rabbit, Bovine, and Silk

Participants are asked to step outside the box and bring something they wouldn't usually spin. The more cool stuff you bring, the more cool stuff you get to spin.

For ideas on where to obtain these fibers, ask around at the May meeting or Google the fiber name on line and you will find many sources.  All of these fibers are obtainable through vendors found on the CSSW links page of the Web-site.  Ooooh, I'm so excited about this!  We're gonna have fun spinning! Don't forget your wheel!

Please join us for the fun and learning as we share what we know with each other. 

                Protein (Animal) Fibers

  • Sheep Wool - Merino, Icelandic, Rambouillet, Shetland, Suffolk, Wensleydale, etc

  • Camelid Fibers - Camel, Llama, Alpaca, Vicuña, Guanaco

  • Goat Fibers - Mohair, Cashmere, Cashgora, Pygora

  • Angora Rabbit Fiber - English, French, Satin, Giant, German

  • Bovine Fibers - Bison (Buffalo), Qiviut (kiv-ee-ut), Yak

  • Silk – Tussah, Bombyx

             Cellulose (Plant) Fibers

  • Seed Fibers - Cotton, Coir

  • Bast Fibers - Flax (Linen), Hemp, Jute, Ramie, Bamboo

  • Leaf Fibers - Raffia, Agave

             Man-Made Fibers

  • Cellulose - Acetate, Rayon, Lyocell (Tencel®)

  • Synthetic - Acrylic, Mylar®, Nylon, Polyester

  • Soy Silk

  • Ingeo Corn Fiber

  • Silk Latte

This year's targets of interest include the following:

 

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

2JP - Barn cleaning, FREE mohair fleeces, black and white, some white and a few red, A few wool fleeces, also free.   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.

Instructions:   Spinning, knitting, crocheting and felting instruction available at my studio starting in January, 2008.  Beginners to more advanced, individuals or groups.  Wheel rentals available.  Email me with your needs or to obtain my class list.  Sorry, not handicapped accessible (private residence).  Also, Used and new books for sale covering spinning, knitting, weaving and dyeing.  Allison Judge  fiberist@sbcglobal.net or phone 544-3564

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. 

 

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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