Monday, October 20, 2008

Weaving, Blogs and Wool Fairs

Rhinebeck 2008 2

About four years ago, a group people were having an online conversaton about knitting blogs, how we enjoyed seeing people's work, and the conversations between blogs as people worked on their projects. Several of us were (still are) weavers, and we decried the lack of weaving blogs.

Charleen had a fiber blog already, and sometimes posted about her weaving. Marie and I did not yet have blogs, yet, but we each agreed to start one, and begin to share information about weaving.

Charleen then formed the Weave Ring so that there would be a central place for people who might be interested in weaving to find our weaving blogs. We hoped others would start weaving blogs, and they did. The ring gradually grew to include over 100 weavers, and now virtually anytime, anywhere, you can find weavers talking about their looms, their projects, which yarns they used, how they sett them, finishing their fabrics, hems, and sewing up, anything, really, about weaving.

Lots of good things have happened to me because of this blog: I have met people, learned things, and found new resources. It has opened new doors for me, connected me with old friends and new ones, even some people halfway around the world. I hope some people have been inspired to start weaving, or return to weaving, and that some of the mystique about weaving has been overcome by those who felt too intimidated to try.

We will probably never reach the general population in the same way that knitting has in recent years, but if each one teaches one we can reach a much greater audience than before. Magazines, books and weaving stores are great resources, and the internet now lets anyone who might be interested know that we are out there, weaving away, somtimes traveling far from home to see old friends, visit a wool festival, and be reinspired to go home and pick up the shuttle.

8 Comments:

Blogger Julie said...

I think there is alot of us knitters that have started spinning and then moved on to weaving also. So I think they all can go hand in hand. I'm a very new weaver and I'm just waiting to finish building our new home to get my loom so I love reading about the different loom weavers have and why they like them. Thanks for the blogs!

6:25 AM  
Blogger Charleen said...

I'm so glad you mentioned WeaveRing! I've been meaning to write about all the wonderful blogs, new and old. I sometimes scroll through, sipping a cup of coffee and marveling at all of the wonderful textiles being created.

2:29 PM  
Blogger Alyclepal said...

Ok, I'm about to DIE for that vest. It looks so Steppe Nomad! Awesome. You couldn't do a whole post about it, including more pictures could you? I'm currently weaving cloth on a "ground loom" for that exact type project. Yours is so much cooler though:>:>:> Alyclepal

3:26 PM  
Blogger claudia said...

I'm so sad to have missed you.

:(

7:47 PM  
Blogger Sharon said...

The virtual weaving world has been a life raft for this struggling beginner. I would have quit long ago without it. You can't take your loom to someone when you're stuck like a spinning wheel. I've been a beginning weaver for a long time, but now that I'm actually enjoying myself, I'm really happy. I know for a fact that this enjoyment is only possible, thanks to my virtual weaving coaches.

10:04 PM  
Blogger Jackie said...

Thanks for helping to start the weave ring! It was great to be able to connect with so many weavers, see what others were doing, learn new tips and tricks, and spread the weaving word. I'm sure taht it has been great for beginners, but it has also been great for those of us that have been stuck in a rut and have only had one teacher. So many weavers that have been more than willing to share their wealth of knowledge has stretched my knowledge and ability to help the students that I work with every day.
I have to admit that my blog has been all about gradening for the past few months (all gardening and no weaving makes for very few posts about fiber) but I am back now getting ready for the Christmas season.

Thanks to all who are part of the weavering. Even if I haven't visited yet, I'll get there some day. Probably after Christmas ;-)

4:10 PM  
Blogger Dorothy said...

Thanks Sara, I didn't know the history of Weavering, I just discovered weaving and then blogs and there it was.

I'm really glad you and Charleen and Marie got this started, I've found so many interesting people through Weavering, it is a great way to make connections.

11:42 AM  
Blogger c u r i o u s w e a v e r said...

Sara what a beautiful photo. Charleen sort of got me started especially with the weavering. Just found out you are coming to Oz next year. I'm trying to find a way to get to Tassie!

2:29 PM  

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