June Newsletter

Happy Summer! Usually I get an itch to go into the city every few weeks but lately, that's not the case. All this hot weather has caused me to devolve into full-on summer mode much earlier than usual. For three weeks now I haven't wanted to go anywhere but the beach with my family. I live in paradise on the Sunshine Coast surrounded by lakes and ocean, so who can blame me? I couldn't even get my butt off the Coast for all the awesome textiles things that have been happening in and around Vancouver. I even had an opportunity to go into the city (sans kid) for the (In)FIninte exhibition and Address Assembly but forwent it for a couple of days of sunshine on the lake. It's a three-hour commute one way - who wants to be in transit on a sunny day when you could be on a beach? Am I right?! As a kid I only went to ocean beaches in the summer, so it was never swimming weather until the end of June-ish. This lake business is the way to begin summer! And in May at that!

I know it's common thinking that knitting slows down when weather gets warm but there's no evidence of this online. If anything people will be knitting more than ever what with Stash Dash beginning soon (if you're not familiar with this friendly stash-busting competition check out Melissa's first blog from last year's).

Summer is especially awesome for us natural dyers. So, as some yarn shops close down for periods of time (like Wool is Not Enough andCrafty Creations) I'm just getting revved up. My St.Johns Wort is budding and I'm thrilled! After the first bloom I'll begin harvesting buds and freezing them to see if they will still dye after thawing. Last year I couldn't keep up with my fresh supply, so I'm hoping I can freeze them and use them year 'round.

My studio is quite a sanctuary for me these days and I'm feeling very inspired despite not having actually fully finished anything in a few weeks. Part of the "problem" is that I've got too many things on the go: a woven linen plant hanger experimentation on my 16" Mirrix, and I still haven't fully finished the ends on my last big tapestry. Plus, I've frogged and reknit the garter stitch scarf/shawl that I'm designing in Maiwa's indigo linen several times (but it's so pretty now). Then there are the two baby cardigans that are half done and waiting for their turn, too. Not complaining one bit - loving every moment of all these projects and looking forward to more.

I've got a weaving/dyeing residency coming up at Fibreworks Studio and Gallery (AKA the Yurts) in Madeira Park. Come say hi between June 26th and July 2nd (11am-4pm). Or better yet, build yourself a PVC loom for under $20 and join me for a free soft-instructional day of weaving on Saturday, July 1st 12pm-3pm. It's going to be fun times! And there's an awesome basketry exhibit at the yurts then, too.

Just a heads up, there won't be a July newsletter. The next one will be in the first week of August. Talk to you then!

xoJanna

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Events

This weekend is a big one! Here's what's going on around town:

Maker Faire at the PNE Sat & Sun 10am-6pm
It's like a science fair for the whole family but the activities and demos range from weaving and knitting to robots and candle making. Read more about it here on out blog and come see me at the Textile Village on Saturday afternoon. I'll be there with a tapestry loom and my knitting, too (see, not monogamous at all!)

Wool n Ewe Faire in Cloverdale Saturday 10am-4pm: 
"The Lower Mainland Sheep Producers Association is having a show and sale - It is their annual fundraiser to help educate the community, fibre artists and farmers alike....This year they welcome special guests "Canadian Cashmere Producers Association" They will have a judge demo, live cashmere goats and sell some of their Cashmere fleece through our live auction." Check out the VY calendar for the location and more details.

World-Wide Knit in Public Day on Saturday
If you can believe it last year I celebrated WWKIP Day at Bryant Park in NYC and just so happen to sit next to a couple who were also from the Sunshine Coast BC. Small world. They were travelling across the USA visiting every major league baseball field and were there to knit in public with the rest of us. If you happen to know who they are I lost their card on the subway. Please tell them I'm sorry I never emailed them, lol.

I've compiled a list of places where people are meeting in public to knit in and around Vancouver. It's made up mostly of listings from the official WWKIP site, but there were a few people who emailed me directly who are not on the master list. I can still add more to the list if you know of any other locations. Just reply to this email and let me know and I'll gladly add more.

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Workshops

Wildcrafted Wool got a grant from the city and is able to offer very affordable or free natural dyeing and felting workshops throughout the summer. Go here for dates and details.

Every tried screenprinting? There are various dates for introductory screenprinting at Blim in July and August

There is a Beyond Beginner Knitting class at Urban Yarns at Point Grey starting up on June 12 for three Mondays.

Some very important dates...
Registration for day campers at the Sunshine Coast Fibre Camp in open on July 3rd. Overnight campers are already able to register and sign up for workshops. I'm teaching beginner tapestry weaving and there is also a freeform knitting workshop, mushroom dyeing workshop, and vendors, too!  Learn more here.

Registration for Maiwa's fall symposium is coming up on June 19th at 10am.

Registration for Knit City's workshops is coming up on June 15th at 7pm