Last week I got to peek into a few of the lectures and workshops that were taking place in Pender Harbour as part of the 17th International Fungi & Fibre Symposium. People from 15 countries gathered to study the magical art of mushroom dyeing. I met participants from Denmark, Norway, the United States and Australia, many of whom have been attending the biennial around the world for years. Some of them came with friends and others were pleasantly surprised to be bunking with people from their country, whom they'd never met. It was clear that everyone was in their element and soaking up the rare opportunity to geek out with others who share this rare interest.

The field of mushroom dyeing is vast, and from what I can gather even specialists are continuously learning from each dye pot and 'experiment' - a word I heard a lot last week. With pH levels and water quality playing keys roles, not to mention the endless (millions, really) species of mushrooms to study around the world, there is no shortage of experiments to be had. 

Enjoy the video! Below you can find links to all the people and places I mention in it.

LINKS:
Fungi & Fibre Symposium 2016
Fibreworks Studio & Gallery
Caitlin Ffrench  - instructor of Ecoprinting with Mushroom Dust
Ursula Bentz - instructor of nuno felting
​Sheleigh McColloch
Sunshine Coast Fibreshed
Ann Harmer

PS The 18th Fungi & Fibre Symposium will be just outside Oslo, Norway in 2018

Last Sunday after being in Vancouver for three days (ie away from my son for two whole nights!) I found that I was locked out of the apartment where I'd been staying. I had to choose to either miss a ferry or go without my computer for 7 days. Much to my own surprise I chose the latter - I was just so pooped and had a 3 hour commute ahead of me. So, I wish I had been able to post this Knit City recap sooner, but better late than never. 

​This year was my first time attending Knit City and I was over the moon the whole weekend. Between teaching a super fun class and seeing all the new books and designs that have just come out by local designers (and the locally made yarns that go with them. Oh, and awesome food trucks) I was in absolute heaven.

So, enjoy the video above. Be sure to turn your volume up for my narration. Below are all the local links that go with it. I'd love to hear about your Knit City stories in the comments, too.

In the Knit City 2016 recap:

• Kim Werker's blog post about the Tapestry Weaving class I taught
• The three women pictured in hand-knit sweaters
• Sweetgeorgia Yarns ​
• Caitlin Ffrench's website and book The Darkness Fell (I really mumbled that title in the video)
• Sylvia McFadden's Shawl Joy book
• Hinterland's Bowen Pullover
• Hinterland's Range yarn
• Mudpunch Yarns self-striping yarn
• Shannon Cook's shawls
• Within book by Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook
• Cashmere yarn by Sweet Fibre
• Kristen Mcytyre's knitter's jewelry
• Rachel Smith's Wool 'n Spinning podcast
• Sheleigh McCulloch spinning instructor
• Vancouver Lace Club
• Unwind Knit & Fibre Lounge
• My favourite food truck
• and my website