Mihoko learned Saori technique while still in Japan, bringing her skills with her to Worcester in 2000. Founded in the 1970’s by Misao Jo, the Saori Weaving philosophy seeks to establish a worldwide movement to
weave and learn together in search of our true, hidden selves.
The practice encourages everyone to:
Consider the differences between machine and hand made
Be bold and adventurous
Look out through eyes that shine
Inspire one another and everyone in the room.
Mihoko brought the portable Saori Loom for demonstration
I’ve admired weaving and weavers for years, but kept my toes “out of the water.” When Mihoko opened up the Saori loom, I felt myself tiptoeing closer. Oh, I could have all the fun I want with this loom and it wouldn’t dominate any space in my house.
With my winter focus on the Master Knitter Level 3 portfolio, most of my free time has been dedicated to fitting into tightly defined parameters. This soul needs opportunities to wander and explore. A Saori weaving day will be in my future, perhaps with other Codders?
I still need to finish the last written details and pattern checking on my Master Knitter portfolio, but it’s very near completion…
I honestly thought that the portfolio would have shipped last week and had signed up for a free Pebeo demonstration at the Fenway Dick Blick store on Saturday. There was a bit of internal discussion… don’t go, focus on the portfolio…go, didn’t you learn anything at the Saori talk last night? You are so ready for a shot of creative playfulness. I’m so glad I did.
Tristina Dietz-Elmes led the group through 2 hours of possibilities using some of the new multi media. She shared a few of the results on her Instagram DietzArt account. As you know, I’ve enjoyed using Pebeo setacolor on silk and cotton since my days in the Castelli Romani. The session opened whole new playful doors. I had a great time watching Tristina mix, dip and dabble. As one who loves textiles, most of the mixed media products would send me into other creative zones, but that’s ok. Pebeo’s mixed media line allows acrylics to mix with resin or reactive paints. And they have new liquid resin panels where you can pour, stir, spread and watch cool things happen.
Wow! What a shot of energy that was for my compartmentalized black and white knitting soul. It gave me great energy for Sunday’s session with StitchMastery and assorted reference books. Can’t wait to play with the Pebeo Mixed Media line some sunny evening soon.
April is National Poetry Month. When I read this poem by W.S. Merwin, I had to share it with my quilting group. A week later, it’s still in mind…. oh, Writer’s Almanac, how do you do that to me? It’s called “The New Song” and it certainly speaks to the potential that textile lovers imagine when they see a new yarn, fabric, motif, style.
If you have 5 minutes, listen to Garrison Keilor’s whole episode, where he talks about literary history each day, sealing the podcast off with a poem. If you’d just like to read the poem, click here. Then again, this poem is from the 17th Poet Laureate’s new release Moon Before Morning
Time, imagination…. now it’s just a matter of focus and priorities.
One of my favorite books to track priorities is Getting Things Done by David Allen. Evernote helps me empty my brain or fill it with new ideas. When I walked into my studio last week, I realized that I may need to memorize Merwin’s “The New Song.”
I remember when my Grandma finished this needlepoint bag. Perhaps I even remember the day when she and my mom bought the kit… or is it just a dream… after all, this was the 1970’s.
Last November, this bag was still in use, holding the knitting project Grandma kept in her closet. With her vision so dim, I’m not sure how she ever managed to knit that novelty yarn, all pink and fluffy. I worked a couple of rows and corrected a couple of slipped stitches to make knitting easier for her.
Grandma had downsized numerous times in the last 20 years. In the end, this was one of the things she still kept. So when I saw in the pile for potential charity donation after her death last month, I knew it belonged to me now.
It’s another one of those ridiculous weekends when there’s not enough time for all the great exhibits going on in New England. So spoiled to bask in the plethora of textile wonder, my weekend will actually start on Thursday, April 10 at the Original Sewing Expo in Worcester. Find me at the Studio Art Quilt Associates booth at the beginning of the day.
Of course, it’s time for the Machine Quilters Expo… an event I’ve never actually been to, but I can count on Laurena and other Rising Star Quilters to fill me in.
If you haven’t yet seen the New England Quilt Museum’s exhibit of the 2012 Nihon Japan winning quilts… run! The show closes this weekend. I was so pleased to see my friend Teresa Gai‘s quilt there.
As I test my hat pattern and proof my Master Knitter Portfolio, my thoughts turn back to quilting. Walking at Breakheart Reservation last weekend, I loved the black and white lines contrasting with the blue sky and the winding path. Possibilities…..
The intoxicating inspiration of FiberCamp 2014 spawned new project ideas, friendships and improved techniques in crochet, sewing and knitting.
In heady fumes of the moment, I imagined writing several blog posts about the weekend. In reality, I’ve only written on Tactile Travel. Erin from Knitting in Beantown has a lovely round up from her perspective. Any one else? I’d love links to your impressions.
One of the weekend highlights was the Designer Showcase, organized by Julia Farwell-Clay. The Guild did a fabulous job spotlighting this Handknit Runway. Now that I’m finally writing, I’m sure I could go on and on and on…
Stop.
Today I want to share the great way Jennifer creates a circular start in crochet. I’ve traditionally started granny squares or other circular items by chaining a few stitches, linking the chain to create a circle, then beginning the first round. There’s always been a gap in the center of the circle, but Jennifer’s method makes a nice tight beginning. Watch this!
P.S. Jennifer, if you have a web site or other way we can credit you, shout it out!
