Fiber Raven Soiree

La Petite Soiree

True to form, I didn't warp my loom until the very last minute Thursday night. Fortunately it wasn't too difficult and there weren't too many threads to deal with. The class on Friday morning was once again very informative, and we began weaving at last.

The thing is, we have an assignment to finish before next class. Unfortunately, I won't be at the next class because I will be attending-- a weaving workshop. A five-day weaving workshop, in fact, with my favorite fiber goddess, Judith Mackenzie. I am so grateful for this opportunity and feel so inadequate. Luckily there are other beginners also going to the workshop.

Anyway, because of the other workshop, I must weave all my warp before next Wednesday (2 yards), rewarp at the workshop, finish all the workshop weaving and rewarp the loom before a makeup class on the Tuesday following the end of the workshop on Sunday. It's a good thing that weaving is faster than knitting, eh?

I was so happy to see Karen Walter yesterday! I had only briefly met her in Maryland a couple of years ago. I had no idea how extensive was her knowledge concerning all things fibery. My dear Other Swan picked her up at the ferry dock and brought her back to Happy Holler. She was wearing her perfectly rendered Shapely Tee and knitting a cabled design from last year's Jaeger book (the one with the red checked jacket on the front).

Due to competing priorities like work, children in school, etc. it was a small soiree, but delightful. The Terrible Knitter, Felina Schwarz and Sam, Karen and I all fit into my little living room where we enjoyed apple cobbler and ice cream, followed later by wine and snackies.

Karen gave us lots of great pointers on weaving and looms. She is working on her master's thesis, the topic of which is mid-19th century interiors in her area of Pennsylvania, and we asked lots of questions and learned neat new things.

She came bearing gifts, and I am so tickled with the hand-dyed baby camel/tencel mix she brought-- so much so that I had to bring up my Lendrum to start spinning it right away. The colorway is just beautiful, coral and sea blue, overlaid with the soft brown of baby camel. What a wonderful gift!

Sherlock challenged this stranger at first, but then when she pulled out yarn and needles he instantly recognized her as a knitter and fell in love. Again.

We also had to opportunity to see Sam's newly completed Celtic Cardigan. That is not Sam wearing it.

Karen had to leave much too early, but it was so nice to see her while she was in town visiting her inlaws. I look forward to her next visit.

After the soiree we ordered our usual Friday night pizza, which is delivered by a different nationality every time. Mostly men, they are always very nice and even Sherlock likes them, bearing pizza as they do. But this time as the delivery man looked through our window his face lit up with joy! He pointed through the window and said "where did you get that?"

He was referring to the Lendrum, an upright (sorta) spinning wheel. I told him I got it at the Weaving Works and he said "Really!? I am from Bulgaria, and every house has one like that." I'm sure he meant a castle-style wheel, not a Lendrum, but it was delightful. I pointed out the Polonaise and told him it was from Poland. No reaction, but I don't know how Bulgaria gets along with Poland. It filled me with warmth to know that my little Lennie had evoked fond memories for a guy far from home. Good Lennie... good boy!

Tomorrow of course is the "Soiree pour Janine", a happy way of saying a sad goodbye. Karen's petite soiree has whetted my appetite and I am looking forward to a houseful of knitters and spinners and the wonderful chaos that ensues.