Retreat
I need a vacation. Yeah, I know this is technically the end of summer vacation but… but… Astor is hosting a knitting retreat this Fall at Hollyhock on Cortes Island. Hollyhock is an educational retreat centre that hosts programs, camps, and workshops about everything from Tibetan Buddhism to Sea Kayaking to Poetry to Ashtanga Yoga… plus they also offer massages! That would be perfect… do a little knitting and then go for a massage… The retreat is called “A Pull of Wool” and runs from September 29 to October 2.
Unfortunately, I can’t go because I’m taking the three-day Colour Institute workshop with Michele Wipplinger as part of the Maiwa Textile Workshops. Actually, I’m taking dye workshops nearly every weekend in September, starting this Friday… I’ve got “Introduction to Dyes” with Anne Babchuk which will give an overview of all different kinds of dyes — including fibre-reactive (procion), acid (washfast and lanaset), and vat dyes (like indigo). I’m also taking “Natural Dyes” with Charllotte Kwon which should result in a reference book of 80 different natural dye samples. The class I was really hoping to take was “Precision Dyeing” which is all about using Procion MX to create a complete colour wheel… but the class falls on the same weekend as my five-year wedding anniversary… So it was celebrate my wedding anniversary or dye, celebrate or dye…
And there is weaving to do… I finally finished dressing the loom with some leftover silk warp and started this little stole. It’s 20/2 silk in a block twill. I basically threaded groups of twelve ends on shafts 1,2,3,4 or 5,6,7,8 somewhat randomly. This is really a test for a bigger silk shawl I plan to do and I just wanted to see how big the blocks might be and how it would look overall. But I was up until about 1 am last night fixing a couple threading errors and had to fashion my own string heddles to do so… very cool. I feel kind of empowered now. And using all eight shafts and ten treadles? Also very empowering. I like.
Oh, yes. And there is also knitting. In fact, I finished Sizzle. But there are no photos. Taking photos of yourself by yourself is hard work. So instead, I have photos of the Diamond Fantasy Shawl in progress…
Mmm hmm. And deadlines. And work. And more work. I’m tired. I think the very best news that I’ve heard in a long time is that we are returning from Hong Kong a couple days early (the travel agent’s mistake) and we’ll be able to squeeze in a surf trip to Oregon. It’ll be the very last weekend in October. The water will be cold but I can’t wait.
Tags: 20/2 silk, block twill, silk
Love the dfs - gorgeous color. And also the weaving! That blue is beautiful!
yikes, all those classes sound amazing. i’m considering taking a series of natural dye workshops here in l.a. as well, but how i wish i could take the maiwa ones, i’m sure they’ll be fabulous.
your weaving is just beautiful - i’ve done a little with a table loom i rented, but since i haven’t taken any classes, it’s still pretty intimidating. making your own heddles? cool.
Interesting. Very interesting. I’m going to look at those links and cry about how there’s never enough money. Gorgeous projects you have going.
Ooo! I love the beginings of your shawl. What yarn is is it? Henry’s Attic Silk and Ivory? I’ve been wanting to try that. And as always, your weaving is impressive and completely over my head.
I can’t wait to see sizzle! Post to the sexy knitters club if your a member!
That’s great that you finished Sizzle, you’re so good. And the lace progress is beautiful.
Celebrate the wedding anniversary! Wow, five years, that’s wonderful.
Wow, you do have a lot on your plate! But, at least you’ve been productive and churned out some fo’s. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished Sizzle.
Wow the classes look amazing, I am so jealous especially the natural dye class. The classes look so cool. I cannot wait to hear about them on your post.
The weaving looks amazing. Are you trying to finish it for the trip?
Oh how I want to take those classes! It must be so nice to have such resources so close and available. My spinning guild did a natural dye workshop a bit ago. I loved it. I’m never throwing away an onion skin again. Nature is an endless possiblity of color.
I can’t wait to see the sizzle. That’s been on my maybe list for awhile. The shaw in progress looks amazing so far.
Oh how you make my loom lust grow
Ok love fest comment coming up, Love Hollyhock (I did a voice retreat there several years ago), Love your Twill, and indeed Love your Diamonds…
Wish I knew a little about weaving so I can understand what you are talking about. You said it was silk and I know what that feels like and the colour is beautiful! Your work is always beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
oh, your weaving is so beautiful!
The blue weaven piece is lovely! You might enjoy going through back issues of Handwoven magazine to look for an article by/about Heather Winslow using the same structure with hand painted warp. She is a wonderful teacher and her use of the 3/3 block twill structure AND painted warp results in WONDERFUL things!
Lee
Lucky you; my only big vacation will be mid October when we go to Rhinebeck. No no massages but there will be wheels and looms to feast my eyes and hands on!
Arianie
I can’t believe how much you get done…do you sleep? lol….your work is amazingly fastidious and you surf too!!!! great work and great photos …I have been reading your blog for some time, as I am a dyer and spinner on Hornby Island, and we work in similar fibres and colors…so I always look forward to your blog…thanks cedar
Oh, those colours are just luscious….
Hollyhock is a beautiful place for retreats. I’ve been on one there years ago and always wanted to go back. That would be a perfect place for a knitting retreat.
wow I love how Sizzle turned out and I love your weaving. I sort of want a loom, like 24″ 4 harness table loom, but they are just too expensive for me to take the plunge right now, but some day down the road I will