I've broken into my own blog

Believe it, or not, I’ve actually wanted to write on this here blog, but I’ve been thwarted. Technology is not for the faint of heart. Servers, websites, and blockers of various sorts construed together. I’m thankful to my son for helping me untangle the wiles of the web.

In order to just get a post up, though, I will keep this short and sweet. I’m having a good time with my craft. It’s easy to say that, today, with sunshine, a son who is helpful and a new, administration which seems to be trying to get vaccinations out, as well as speaking of seeking unity. I’m trying to keep my eyes on positive strides forward, and make my own, instead of being mired down in the heaviness of COVID, death and disease and destruction. It’s not easy.

I’m excited at the new year that I began a new job with North House Folk School as a lead instructor. As such, I will help link the teachers with the administration and seek to bring new, exciting classes and teachers to the campus, found in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Annemor Sundbø is one of the first. She’ll be speaking next month at our virtual Fiber February on the 11th at noon Central time. Check it out the website.

As well, I’m teaching a class next month at North House. I’d love to have you join me.

This month, I have taught a class at Vesterheim. I’ve taught a class at American Swedish Institute, and I’m in the middle of teaching a class at North House — all via Zoom. I have really enjoyed seeing students! I have loved having those conversations, seeing what you all are making, and seeing the learning take place. Is it the same as in person? No! I miss being in the same place with you. I miss being able to teach and talk and walk around and observe all at the same time. I miss the different layers of community we get when we are together. BUT, this distance/zoom thing sure beats being by myself in my home and not teaching or being a student at all.

Thank you for trusting me with your learning during this time.

I’m going to close with a few pictures of my life these past few weeks…

Thank you for helping me get this online!

It was a big day for me! My birthday was last week.

My son and future daughter-in-law made this fabulous, gluten-free cake.

Fun was had by all. Party on, dudes!

COVID-19

What a horror this disease is, for the world, for each individual country, for each state, county and town. Today, as I write, our county hasn’t been too much effected, but in the past week, there has been a big hit in a large processing plant in the county south of us. I’m expecting a greater spread of contagion and effect in the supply chain this week.

My kids are all home, and I’ve been the one to go out and shop and cook, which has multipled my level of work, but I have loved their proximity.

Despite added busy-ness, I’ve done the American thing and cleaned rooms, drawers, and closets. This has included my worst areas of mess: my desk and my craft room.

In the craft room, I gathered all three baskets of “works in progress” and put them in the same area, hoping they wouldn’t breed. In the bottom was this shawl that I started last October.

It was about a couple inches into the project, but in two or three days, I got it to this point.

Then, yesterday, I cast off at the neck, soaked and blocked it.

The shawl is Hyrnan Randalín by Sigridur Halldorsdottír in an Icelandic shawl book of untypeable title (but, it’s for sale at Schoolhouse Press).

Now, as a reward, I’ve cast on a hat. :)

Twelfth Night Spin

This has been a summer of spinning.

I am a part of several regional spinning groups, in one way or another. One group meets at MoonTree Studios, an outreach of the Center at Donaldson and the Poor Handmaids of Christ. On Twelfth Night (the 12th night after Christmas) we meet and exchange fiber. By midsummer we are all supposed to have spun it, and by the next Twelfth Night, we are supposed to have created something.

I received eight one ounce bits of fiber — various types and preparations. I spun three in one ply and three in another and plied them together. The other two I spun, but the colors didn’t go with these as well.

Here’s the finished skein.

And, a close up…

Now, I’m searching Ravelry for a shawl pattern for this. I kind of know what I want. I sure hope I find it, because I don’t have time to write one now.

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival

I must say, I love the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival.

It’s only 4 - 5 hours away (depending on Chicago traffic), and it is full of wonderful crafters, artisans, wool lovers and cool people in general.

It’s a real honor to teach there! This year, I taught two classes with wonderful students. Since the first class was Saturday afternoon, I packed up early and hit the road so I could walk through the vending barns before class.

Okay, so this first picture is out of focus and crooked, but it sends the right feel for the moment. With all that wool and yarn (and a limited budget and time on the clock), one’s heart races a bit and one finds oneself racing through the barn.

There were two vending barns this year, and, I don’t know — sixty vendors? Yarn of every color and fiber, roving, wheels and tools, patterns, art, cards, made clothing — it was all there.

Check out this picture from a wool artist’s booth:

Pretty cool three-dimensionality, huh?

My classes were incredibly fun. Fiber students are the best.

I combine history and culture, fiber teaching and even music. Here are some picture from my first class, and Introduction to Twined Knitting.

Twined knitting samplers.

Twined knitting samplers with the students

Twined knitting is very time intensive and thus, the samples are never very big by the end of three hours. I was very proud of my students, though, for trying a new skill with an open mind and enthusiasm.

In my second class, we explored a traditional mitten from Karesuando, Sweden.

Making a four-stranded, round braid

Again — I really love the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, both the venue and the classroom. I’d love to go back and teach anytime!

Besides the class and vendor area, I had the opportunity to meet my first silk moth! I believe it is a bombyx silk moth (please, correct me, if I am wrong).

Slyvestra, the bombyx silk moth

I named her Slyvestra. She was in the last day of her 7 day life of a moth. She may have been laying eggs on me as I took the picture. Gross.

Of course, this is the only moth I will willingly let touch me.