About

                                                                              My Fiber Journey

    My ever changing journey began with Inkle Weaving. A Historical Reenacting friend introduced me to the art of weaving narrow bands, used for belts, sashes and leg ties, which are used in the reenactor’s clothing. After working weaving the bands on the Inkle loom, I decided to try a four shaft floor loom. Although I did understand how to weave using the Inkle loom, I was completely at a loss about using the floor loom. I needed to learn how to warp the loom and how do read the draft. While at one of the Reenactments, I met a lady who invited me to a fiber group that met at a local Jr. College. Figuring the people in the group could help me learn how to use my floor loom I gathered up my courage and went to the Tuesday night meeting. All I could say was WOW!

     As I walked into the room, not sure what to expect, I was captivated, amazed and in awe. Several of the ladies were spinning on wheels, a few were using spindles, some were carding and others were knitting. I had always wanted to learn to spin and needless to say I was hooked. To say that I got side tracked is a understatement. The people in the group were great teachers. After learning to spin, I used drop spindle three years,  then the first wheel came. A Christmas present from my husband, the Kromski Minstrel was wonderful. I spun and spun and enjoyed every minute.

     Most of the fiber I spun was commercially prepared roving or top, which was great but I wanted to try a raw fleece. Anyone who has worked with raw fleece knows it can be very challenging to a “newbie”. Not really knowing how to buy a fleece, or clean it, I purchased one that had been stored for quite awhile. It was almost stiff, I worked and worked trying to wash it, without felting it. I finally got some wool I could spin, it was course, and still a little sticky but I was proud to say I had processed it myself.  I have since learned how to skirt, wash and comb or card the fiber, and have purchased and processed several different fleeces.   

     While the natural colors of the fleeces are lovely, I had to try dyeing. There are so many ways to alter the color of the wool. I tried kool-aid and cake icing colors before settling on acid dyes. Although the acid part sounds scary, it is only white vinegar or citric acid and is fairly easy to work with.  The color possibilities are endless, and so is the fun. Using natural dyes is an art form it itself. It is amazing the colors that can be achieved from plants native to your area.

     Just recently I tried felting. Wool is a wonderful medium, not only can it be spun into yarn or thread for fabric, it can also be used to sculpt objects. Quite lifelike, three dimensional animals can be sculpted using wool and special barbed needles. Beautiful hats and scarves can be created using the wet felting method. Wool , Alpaca, Silk, and other fibers can be combined to create one of a kind objects and garments with these methods.

     We are living in a time where it is easy to learn almost anything if the internet is available.  I have learned a lot from the  videos on  YouTube. I am not saying everything online is correct but a lot of good information is there. I  also enjoy the online groups that Ravelry offers.  Besides the online information, I enjoy numerous specialty books and magazines devoted to knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving and felting.

     Another valuable source of information is a local guild. I am a member of two and really look forward to the meetings.  The different individuals that attend the guild meeting have a vast knowledge of fiber skills:  Spinning, Weaving, Dyeing, Knitting, Crocheting  and Felting and are willing to share.  Not only are the meetings a great place to learn, but a good place to meet people who share fiber enthusiasm. I cannot say enough about the value of a guild or group. 

     When someone ask me which I like better spinning or weaving, it is hard to answer. I find spinning very relaxing, feeling the fiber sliding between my fingers as I draft it, has a way of letting me go to place where nothing bothers me. Creating a scarf or piece of fabric on the loom has a different but equally relaxing feeling. I can just “get lost” in either process.

     Getting back to the floor loom, I finally have learned to use it and have since purchased additional looms. Several wheels, spindles, drum carders and looms later I am still amazed, thrilled and in awe at the endless possibilities of fiber. My journey is ongoing and ever changing, however I have found one downside: it is addictive!

Karen