Knit City was a whirlwind for me this year (but isn't it always?!) My weekend began on Saturday morning with my Intro to Tapestry Weaving: Weave a Sunset class. I taught a sold-out class, and everyone kicked butt at weaving their first tapestry. I had worked long days in the workshop leading up to Knit City, making a variety of Everlea Tapestry Looms in different wood types so that each of my students had a selection of looms to choose from. So, after putting my all into that day of teaching i was ready for a nap, but not before that evening's event. The Fibreshed panel discussion featured 4 sheep farmers and fibre producers, Anna Hunter (Manitoba), Sarah Pope (Washington), Christel Lanthier (Manitoba) and Hannalie Beise (Vancouver Island), as well as newly published local author Francine McCabe (Vancouver Island), and artist Caitlin ffrench (Vancouver). We learned about the history of fibre production in Canada, the bottlenecks that are preventing current systems from thriving and growing, and new ways in which we can think about consuming textiles in Canada. If you're curious about these things I highly recommend getting yourself a copy of Anna Hunter's book Sheep, Shepherd and Land, and Francine McCade's Fleece & Fibre: Textile Producers of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

On Sunday I hosted a tapestry weaving demo at the SweetGeorgia Lounge located within the Knit City Marketplace, where I shared my homemade pumpkin pie and tapestry weaving skills with passersby. It was a fabulous time. After that, I had just enough energy to shop for some naturally dyed yarn with San Juan Woolworks, Hinterland Yarns, Ash Alberg and Longway Homestead before heading home.

At the end of the day, I send my Rossland BC retailer, Sarah Elizabeth Fibreworks, home with a handful of Everlea Mini Loom Kits, and headed home to the Sunshine Coast, with blessings from the BC Ferry gods, who had me driving right onto the ferry that was docking when I arrived.

A Little jacked up from the weekend, when I arrive home I had some energy to have a movie night with my son, who had a professional development day the next day. With no school, we stayed up too late and had a campout in the living room. It was perfect.

The launch of Andrea Rangel's forthcoming stitch dictionary, KnitOvation, is happening at Beehive Woolshop in Victoria on October 22nd. Register for free today:

November 4 & 5, 2023 – Beyond Fibre... Artisans’ Sale
Langley Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild Annual Juried Show and Sale
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Looking for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts to give or to keep for your own enjoyment?
Beyond Fibre features woven, knitted, spun and felted items handcrafted by
Guild members as well as a wide variety of products handmade by guest
artisans. Come and enjoy the ongoing fibre arts demonstrations.
Are you a fibre artist? You’ll find yarn, fibre, supplies and equipment at the sale.
Come visit us in our convenient West Langley location on our Saturday and
Sunday dates.
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West Langley Community Hall
9400 208th Street, Langley
Sat. Nov 4 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sun. Nov 5 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more info visit LWSG.org – Artisans’ Sale, or Facebook - Langley Weavers’
& Spinners’ Guild, or instagram - @langleyweaversandspinners .

Congratulations to Caitlin ffrench and Nine Ten Publications (both local) for the release of the book cover for their forthcoming book Gathering Colour!