Shiny + New

So many people had such a rough 2008, I’m happy to see that 2009 is finally here. It’s with great excitement that I start this year and start in a direction that I have long wished and waited for. For years now, I have been asked to teach dye classes and such, and for years now, I have wanted to be able to offer lessons, classes, workshops, and dye days. So, now with the new studio in place I am offering classes this spring. I’ll be teaching a series of essential dye classes for dyeing protein fibres, cellulose fibres, and also using natural dyes. Take a single one or take them all. They are a pre-requisite for signing up for open studio time or for the future advanced dye classes that I will be offering.

Also on the schedule are classes in drop spindling and wheel spinning! A few years ago, I realized that the commercial yarns I fell in love with were too expensive for me to buy and so I learned to dye and spin my own yarns to my own preferences and specifications. Learn to make your own handspun and you’ll be able to create exactly what you want, starting with the materials and colours you love. Ultimately, you free your creativity. I have included Louet Octo Drop Spindles in the drop spindle class, but you can always upgrade to a Schacht Hi-Lo Spindle if you prefer. And in the wheel spinning class, you are welcome to bring your own wheel or use one of our wheels — a Schacht Ladybug, Louet Victoria, or Louet Julia.

We’re also running three special spinning classes in spinning for sock yarn, spinning luxurious and exotic fibres, and also colour for spinners. Colour for Spinners is something I’ve always wanted to run… a full day of playing with the drum carder, combs, blending solids to get marls, and stripping handpainted rovings for self-striping yarns!

• » See the complete schedule of classes on our Google Calendar
• » Register for classes online here

Also new this season is our SweetGeorgia Fibre Club! We are currently taking a limited number of club members for this February to April offering of unique hand-dyed fiber. Each month, an exclusive colourway will be delivered to your doorstep for your handspinning (or felting) joy. I’ll be setting up a little blog, Ravelry and Flickr groups for this, so keep a look out for it.

Being snowed in by crazy (CRAZY) Vancouver weather over the past few weeks has actually allowed me time to work on my own projects. I’m actually slowly back to knitting and I started this tiny little February Baby Sweater over the holidays. It’s knit in two strands of SweetGeorgia Superfudge yarn, a light fingering weight yarn, that has been kettle dyed in lac. Similar to another natural bug dye, cochineal, lac is a small scale insect that can be found on Ficus trees. It gives a more muted colour than cochineal and results in a beautiful rose or burgundy colour. The EZ pattern is (pithy and) dead easy which also helps.

Finally, thank you to everyone who responded to my last post on gratitude. I am very pleased to announce that Sulicat, self-proclaimed fibre enthusiast and creative dork, was our randomly selected winner for the bloggy, yarny prize.

Following Elizabeth Zimmerman’s short letters and instructions, I was delighted to read her closing words… “Keep knitting and stay calm.” With all that is shiny and new this year, there is also excitement and nervousness… I am anticipating good things… and will keep knitting and stay calm.