Mark Your Calendar

The 2nd Vancouver Island Fibre fest will be May 2-4 2014 - make sure you mark your calendar

People's Choice Gallery Winners

It is going to take a few days to get all of the pictures of the Fibre Fest. It was an amazing event. The People's Choice Gallery was well attended and enjoyed by all.

Here are the winners:

Hand Knitting – Tourmaline Shawl – Lynette Meek

Machine Quilting – St. Paul de Vence Revisited – Val Ursulak

Hand Quilting- Cathedral Windows- Maria (Joan Grimm’s sister)

Sewing – Purse – Christine Fisher

No Photo of these items yet

Spinning – Russian Spindle Scarf – Vyvyan Dorsett

Weaving- Runner-Jeanelle Fischer

Applique – Old Homestead – Ruth Ott

Machine Knitting- Donna Marshall

Crochet – Baby Blanket - Regie Smith

Wow what a fun weekend

The Fibre Fest came and went so fast. It was a wonderful weekend and everyone who attended enjoyed themselves. Here is a link to Lynettes Blog - She has great pictures of the Campbell River area, the People's choice gallery and of the painting she did on my scarf. I wanted a Christmas theme to the scarf and she captured that for sure. It will be great to wear next Christmas.
Stay tuned to the blog there will be lots more pictures coming soon

The Weekend at a Glance

Vancouver Island Fibre Fest

Friday May 3
Workshops 1-5pm
Vendor’s Mall 5-6:45pm
Opening Reception 7-9pm

Saturday May 4
Workshops 10-5pm
People’s Choice Gallery 10-4pm
Demonstrations 10 -4pm
Vendor’s Mall 10-4pm

Sunday May 5
Workshops 10-5pm
Spin In –1-4pm
Demonstrations 10-4pm
Vendor’s Mall 10-4pm

Concession: Saturday and Sunday 10-3pm.
The Concession is being operated by the Cooking Basics cooking classes from the Community Centre and is by donation.

One Day to go

Tomorrow is the first day of the Vancouver Island Fibre Fest. The vendor mall will be open from 5 - 6:45 - 7 - 9 pm we will have our Opening Reception - A night of appetizers and mingling with other fibre lovers

Come and join us to kick off the Fibre Fest weekend with a wonderful evening filled with great food and talented fibre artists. On this evening partcipants in the People’s Choice Gallery will showcase their work - (much like and adult version of show and tell) Appetizers will be provided and served by the participants of the Specialized Cooking Program.
There is no cost for this event but donations will be greatly appreciated. Donations will all go to fund the Specialized Recreation Programs at the community centre.

We will be giving out many really great door prizes at the Opening Reception - All of the Vendors have donated something for this event -  you must be in attendance to win
 

The weather is supposed to be great all weekend.

The vendor mall will be open Saturday and Sunday 10am - 4 pm

There is still a few spaces in some of the classes, Just call the community centre to register  250-286-1161

Press release this week

Check out the People’s Choice at Vancouver Island Fibre Fest!

An eye-catching display by talented fibre artists from near and far will be one of the many draws when Vancouver Island Fibre Fest opens its doors May 3 through 5.

The People’s Choice Gallery will host an array of creations – and local knitters, weavers, quilters and others textile artists are welcome to submit items to be featured.

It all starts Friday, May 3. The vendor’s mall will be open from 5 to 6:45 p.m. Make sure to come down early to find some great bargains and unique items.

The opening reception starts at 7 p.m. that evening with a parade of incredible hand knit, woven, quilted, sewn and stitched items! The Sewing For Fun class from the Community Centre will lead the parade followed by fibre artists of all stripes. Each artist will describe their creation and give a brief story of the inspiration behind the making it. All pieces shown will be displayed in the People’s Choice Gallery, which opens on Saturday. If you have textile art to show, please call Judy at 250-286-1161.

Friday evening will also be a time to meet some of the workshop instructors. Plus, there’ll be door prizes and mingling with other creative fibre lovers and munching yummy appies thanks to students from the Cooking Basics classes.

Admission to the opening reception is by donation, with all proceeds going to support the City of Campbell River Recreation and Culture Departments specialized recreation programs.

It’s not too late to sign up for a workshop! To review the options, check out the website http://shelmack.wix.com/vancouver-island-fibre or pick up a brochure at the Needle & Arts Centre, Fabricland or the Community Centre. 

Registration is available at the Community Centre or the Sportsplex.

For more information on these and the many other workshops being offered at the Vancouver Island Fibre Fest, please call Judy at the City of Campbell River Community Centre, 250-286-1161 or e-mail judy.ridgway@campbellriver.ca.

People's Choice gallery

We are looking for submissions for the People's Choice Gallery - we would love to see your work. There is a form to fill out available on the website or you could email your information contact section of the website

Classes I am taking

Here are the 2 classes I am taking at the Fibre Fest. At first I thought I would be too busy with helping to run the Fibre Fest and selling yarn plus teaching on the Sat afternoon. But it looks like I have lots of helpers for the booth, lots of volunteers are helping at the Fibre Fest and I am free to attend classes. I am taking Fill a triangle with lace on Sat, I can only take part of this course as I teach in the afternoon but I am sure I will get lots out of the class. I have always wanted to attend a workshop by Sivia

I am also taking the class by Lynette Meek on Sunday Lace painting. I love the idea of painting the lace after it's knit. If you want to take this workshop and feel you don't have time to knit the scarf you can bring any undyed wool or silk object. The item needs to be clean and could be woven or knit, the object is to enhance the lace but for learning purpose any item would work then when you have time at home you could knit lace and paint it.

There is a bit of room left in both these classes if you want to join me - The registration for all the classes is going well so don't delay - Register today.

Another note. Lynette is bringing some of her lace painting to showcase in the Peoples Choice gallery and will show this also at the Opening Reception.

Demonstrations

A list of the demonstrations taking place on Saturday and Sunday is available on the website
Check out the fashion show on Saturday afternoon.

What it's all about

When I first started talking with Judy Ridgway about putting on a Fibre fest here in Campbell River - I thought maybe I could help her a bit as I have attended many Fibre fests mostly as a vendor. When she told me that this Fibre fest was going to be a fund raiser for the Specialized recreation programs at the Community Centre, I was hooked.  This married my two passions Fibre and Special Needs people. As many of you know I have a group home for 2 special needs men. They are 25 and 52. Both have been wiith us for over 20 years.
My young fellow Cam has many difficult disabilities including being Deaf and Blind. We communicate with him with touch and objects. He has very few interests so we are always looking for something new for him to do. This year he ( with the help of his Intervenor Melysa) took up quilting at the Campbell River Community Centre. This has been a great activity for him and fun for both Cam and Melysa.
The quilting class welcomed them in and work with him inspite of his many disabilities. He is very proud of his first quilting project and I think it is just the first of many.
All of the specialized programs require extra funding over and above what the clients are able to pay. This is what this Fibre Fest is about. Raising money for these wonderful programs. The sewing program is just one example of the Specialized recreation programs offered. They will have a booth at the Fibre Fest in the Demo area. Cam's pillow will be there. We are very proud of him

Melysa and Cam at Quilting class



Cam with his finished pillow
So this is what the Fibre Fest is really all about



A Great offer for Accomodations

Knitter's Special for the Fibre Fest

Outstanding Ocean View Cottage for $89.00 plus tax for up to Two Guests. (Smoke and Pet free) We are 5 minutes to Downtown and across from the Beach and the 8 km Seawalk.
Our New Cottages are well appointed with Kitchen, Living Room with Flat Screen TV, Cable , Free Wifi. Separate Bedroom with Queen Bed. Everything is new and CLEAN!!
Our Website is:
http://driftwoodbythesea.com
Karen can be reached at
driftwoodbythesea@telus.net

Latest Press Release

Here is the latest Press release for The Fibre Fest

Book Your Accomodations

The Coast Discovery Inn in Campbell River has provided special early booking rate for anyone attending the Fibre Fest: $89 plus taxes per night includes a hot buffet breakfast. Please quote #GFC1634 when registering. Must book by April 8th to get this special rate. Call 1-800-663-1144

Only one day left to get the special rate.

Our New Website

I am so happy to share with you our new website. All of the information in one place and easy to access.

Vendors

Here is a list of the vendors who are coming to the Fibre Fest so far -  Start saving your money - more to come

Knitopia Wools Co. Lynne Anderson –from White Rock has a great selection of hand dyed fleece and yarns, spindles and wheels. 

Periwinkkle Farm -

- info about their sheep - Fran Cudworth – yarn and fibre from her farm in Powell River

Pagan Creations  -

Lynn Doherty – from Campbell River   hand-dyed fleece and assortment of yarns - books and notions

Needle & Arts Centre -Jurgen Kettler –from Campbell River has a great selection of yarns notions and books.

Eileen's Bead Studio - email  Eileen for more information

Eileen Neill – from Qualicum beach - has a great selection of beads to offer.

Hummingbird Fibre Arts 

Sharon Pickard – from Errington BC – great selection of yarn, fibre, books and notion for knitting, spinning, and weaving 

Velma Richmond Pottery - Velrna Richmond – from Powell River BC - has wonderful selection of pottery knitting bowls – these bowls are great for keeping your yarn form rolling around and as yarn guide when knitting with multiple yarns.

Zentangle -Barb Round – from Campbell River – she will be selling the supplies for Zentangle – a unique art form for quilting very intricate designs. Barb will also be demonstrating her art in the demonstration area of the Fibre Fest.

Open Bay Farm -Mimi  and Audrey from Quadra Island will be selling their handspun wool and  fleece.

 Jackee Quilt Queen

Jackee Thaysen – from Campbell River will be selling kits for quilting and quilting supplies. – she will also be teaching Nine Patch Frenzy on Sat – May 4 - 

Morgan's Fine Yarns  - Kirsten Thorarinson –from Duncan BC has a great selection of hand dyed yarns

Former Fun Knits Yarn Shop email Shelley

Shelley Mackie  has a large selection of sock yarn left from the former Fun Knits Yarn Shop on Quadra Island. This yarn will be selling at ½ price - Novelty yarn and other yars all 1/2 price or less

News Release

Vancouver Island Fibre Fest  - News Release this week in the papers will be featuring Sivia Harding. Thought I would share it with everyone

Sivia Harding is coming to the Vancouver Island Fibre Fest on May 3, 4 & 5! Sivia is a knitter/designer and a very sought after teacher from Portland Oregon who has taught all over Canada and the US.  Sivia loves designing lace patterns and combining them with beads. Her classes are fun and inspirational.
Sivia is teaching three different sessions at the Fibre Fest:
Harmonia’s Rings; the Harmonia’s Rings family of patterns use Cat Bordhi’s Moebius cast on to achieve the spiral neck shape and features a stitch pattern that creates concentric rings. Many different techniques will be taught in this 3 ½ hr workshop on Friday May 3.
Fill a Triangle with Lace is on Saturday May 4. In this class Sivia will examine the structure of the top-down triangle shawl. This workshop is the perfect blend of lace design skills, inspiration and discovery. Students will receive the benefit of Sivia’s years of experience in designing innovative lace shawls and exceptional beaded lace.
Bead Whimsy is on Sunday May 5. You will learn how to put beautiful beads in an assortment of stitch patterns.  While working a small sampler you will explore potential beading situations; how to bead cables, lace, texture or just plain knitting.
Sivia’s classes are filling up quickly so register soon to avoid disappointment. Registration is available at the Community Centre or the Sportsplex. For more information on these and the many other workshops being offered at the Vancouver Island Fibre Fest call Judy at the City of Campbell River Community Centre, (250)286-1161 or email; judy.ridgway@campbellriver.ca

Registration Form for Workshops

The Registration Form can be printed and used to register for all of the workshops.
Please register early to avoid disappointed as these classes will fill up quickly

Accommodations

The Coast Discovery Inn in Campbell River has provided special early booking rate for anyone attending the Fibre Fest: $89 plus taxes per night includes a hot buffet breakfast. Please quote #GFC1634 when registering. Must book by April 8th to get this special rate. Call 1-800-663-1144.

Registration begins on March 4th

The registration for the classes begins March 4th. I know a lot of people are anxious to sign up for the great classes we are offering. 
I received the poster and the flyer yesterday but no registration form. I will have the form available on the blog Monday so watch for it. Please feel free to share the poster and the flyer with your friends. You could help us out by printing some posters and putting them up in yarn shops or other places fibre lovers tend to go.

Poster for Vancouver Island Fibre Fest

Flyer for the Vancouver Island Fibre Fest

Registration Form

Teacher - Sylvia Dutch

We are pleased to have another teacher to introduce.

Her name is Sylvia Dutch and she teaches sewing. Here is her introduction and information about her class.

I've been sewing for about 35 years.   I do garment construction, quilting, Home Dec sewing and of course, teaching.  It's only been in the last 6 years that I've been teaching.  I took several workshops in Portland, Oregon at the Palmer/Pletsch System of Sewing School.  I recieved my C.S.I. (Certified Sewing Instructor) in October 2006.  In 2007 I went back to school and got certified in Fitting .  In 2009 I went back to Portland and took a course in pants fitting.  I've been teaching sewing in the Specialized Recreation "Sewing for Fun" class and boy do we have fun.  It's a great group of people who come to our class and we all learn something new every day. 

I will be teaching  Lotus Flower Votive holder.

This class is a beginner/intermediate class.  You will learn to use Mouldable stabilizer to make Leaf and Flower shaped bowls.  Supplies include:  Mouldable Stabilizer, fabric for one Lotus Flower Votive Holder, and thread for satin stitching.

Class will be on May 5 - 2 - 4 PM

Cost  - $27.
Kit fee of $8.00 is payable to the teacher before the class

Registration will begin March 4

Teacher - Jackie Thaysen

Our last teacher to introduce to you is Jackee Thaysen -  We are very happy to have such a wonderful Quilt teacher teaching at the Vancouver Island Fibre Fest.

An avid Quilter for nearly three decades, Jackee Thaysen is well-known and well-respected in the quilting community on the North Shore in Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast.  Her quilting journey began in 1982 when her love of quilts and desire to have some for her children, pushed her to take on the challenge of quilting.  Although quilting began as a hobby for her it soon led to full time career in the Quilting Industry.  Working in a quilt shop for several years led to a love of teaching Quilting classes for all levels of quilters.  In 1999, recognizing the need for a quilting and binding service for people who love piecing the tops of quilts but never have the time to finish, Jackee started her own Machine Quilting business called Jackee’s Quiltworks.  Quilters and non-Quilters alike have admired Jackee’s work and she is often commissioned to design and create custom quilts.  Teaching Quilting classes at various shops still keeps Jackee busy part-time.  As a member of several quilting guilds, Jackee has successfully built a business around her passion for quilting.  She has recently moved to Campbell River, and looks forward to building a rapport with the many quilters on Vancouver Island.

 She will be teaching " Nine Patch Frenzy"

It will take a beginner or intermediate quilter from a regular "nine patch" to wonky nines and curvy tens.  In other words, their first foray "out of the box".
Participants should be able to rotary cut and have basic quilting skills.
There will be a supply list available by registration
This class will be May 4 10 AM - 4 PM
Class cost $67.
Registration will begin March 4

Teacher - Shelley Mackie

We have 2 more teachers to showcase, myself (Shelley Mackie) and Jackee Thaysen - Jackee will be teaching Quilting
A bit about me. I have been a knitter for about 55 years, yes I started when I was 3. So I guess you could say I have always knit. Socks are a definate passion of mine and I always have 2 or 3 on the go at any given time. I enjoy teaching sock knitting and look forward to the moment in class when a person turns a heel for the first time. I have been teaching sock knitting for about 10 years.

I will be teaching Sock knitting.
If you can knit and purl then you can learn to knit socks. This class will be 3 hours long and during that time you will knit a small sock. The socks are knit on 4 needles from the cuff to the toe. You will learn to knit in the round, ribbing, short rowing, directional decreases and how to graft the toe.Turning the heel of a sock is quite challenging for most beginner. I will help you learn all of the steps to successfully turn a heel.. I will supply all of the information you need in a nice booklet, yarn and needles. You will leave this class knowing how to knit socks with any yarn and any needle size.



socks I knit for my Grand daughter Meika  - see the blog post here



The socks we will be knitting in class will be with plain coloured worsted weight yarn on 3.5mm needles and will fit a child about 2 years old.

There will be a $10 charge for the supplies

Beginners very welcome as long as you know how to cast on, knit and purl

The class will cost $40. and registration will begin March 4th

Teacher - Alison Irwin

We are pleased to introduce the next teacher  - Alison Irwin

Alison Irwin has a studio in Maple Bay just east of Duncan and has been teaching weaving workshops both on and off Vancouver Island for 15 years.  Her favourite expression is 'Sample! Sample! Sample!'  Alison takes great delight in introducing people of all ages to textile techniques that can be done with simple equipment.         

She will be teaching 2 classes

Kumihimo 4x4Class Description:  This basic Japanese braid is a wonderful way to play with colour and patterns.  Students will start with a simple spiral worked in four colours, and then shift the cotton threads around on the braiding card to change to another design.  Learn how to create new patterns.  All yarns plus braiding card and braiding weight are supplied ($5 per student).

Length of class:  4 hours
Maximum # of students:  12

Date of class:  Friday, May 3 1 PM - 5 PM
Cost $53.

Beginners are welcome; students do not need to have any braiding experience.

Fingerweaving

Class Description:  The word 'fingerweaving' brings to mind the colourful ceinture fléchée sashes worn by Canada's voyageurs.  If the thought of working with the traditional fine wool yarns has kept you from trying this old technique, here's an option: create a sturdy fingerwoven band from mop cotton!  All yarns are supplied ($5 per student).

Length of class:  4 hours
Maximum # of students:  12

Date of class:  Saturday, May 4 9 AM - 1PM
Cost $53.

Beginners are welcome; students do not need to have much weaving experience.

Registration for these classes will begin March 4

.

Teacher - Lynette Meek

We are fortunate to have Lynette Meek as one of our teachers this year.

She will be teaching painting lace. Wow these pictures are sure amazing.



This is Lynette's design for the Vogue Competition.



Bio from Lynette

I have been teaching knitting at Mad About Ewe for about 12 years.  As a teacher I have turned many students on to knitting and its many facets.

About 2 years ago I was runner-up in a Vogue Design Competition – The Magic of Mohair.  My design was published in the Early Fall 2011 edition of Vogue Knitting.  Since then I have had several designs published in Vogue.

I love all styles of knitting.  But I especially love to knit lace.  Painting the lace, came as a result of wanting to draw attention to the lace but still maintain colour in the knits!  As I am part crow I often add beads to my knitting as well.

  

Lynettes class will be Sunday May 5 10 AM - 5 PM with a Maximum of 15 students.

Class cost $80.

Registration will begining March 4 and the class cost will be published soon.

Dyes will be provided. Materials charge for pattern and dyes – $5.00.  Each student would need a number 6 round  “hair”, not synthetic, paint brush; a cheap ice cube tray and T-pins and a long piece of Styrofoam insulation, plus the project which would have to be knit ahead of time. 

Lynette will provide the pattern for a scarf, knit with a 4-ply yarn of their choice – scarf takes approx 400 yds.  Recommended yarns include Drops Alpaca, Classic Elite Fresco, or any undyed wool 4-ply.  Handmaiden and Fleece Artist make several nice ones.

Knitters would need basic lace knitting skills.  The project is lace at each end with a solid center section.

She has many designs  - here are couple of links to Ravelry patterns.

Touchon Lace Collar

 Leaf and Point Scarf

Teacher - Val Ursulak

We are very fortunate to have Val Ursulak teaching Applique and Mola at the Vancouver Island Fibre Fest this year

Val started quilting in 1995 after she retired from teaching elementary school.  Like most quilters, she tried many different techniques but was always drawn to appliqué.  Her friends might suggest that she couldn’t sew a straight line so had to resort to curves.  Whatever the reason, she started to really focus on honing her appliqué skills, taking classes from appliqué artists Elly Sienkiewicz, Gabrielle Swain, Kathy McNeil, Sandra Leichner and Jane Townswick.  Val has taught many appliqué classes for various Vancouver Island Guilds and Quilt Shops.  In 2004, she won second prize for Countries for her appliquéd quilt, “Feathered Friends and Flowers”  in a World Quilt competition in the USA.  Another of her quilts, “Heart Parade” was featured on the cover of the Canadian Quilter’s Association magazine in 2007.  This year, Val has made an appliquéd quilt which will be the first prize at the Nanaimo Quilters’ Guild Material Magic Quilt Show which will be held at Beban Park May 24 - 26, 2013.  For the past 6  years she has been Chapter Leader of the Dimensional Divas, the Nanaimo Chapter of the Appliqué Society.  This is Val’s dream come true - teaching new and experienced appliquers and working on a continuing basis with ladies who want to learn all aspects of  the art.

Applique Sat. May 4 th 10 - 1

WOVEN  BASKET WITH IVY 

In this class, you will learn how to make a woven basket with a braided handle and base.  You can applique the ivy leaves (and optional bow) as in the pattern or you can fill your basket with flowers of your choosing.  I will show you other examples of baskets that are made with the same basic method.

As our class time is limited, I will provide a kit with the finished bias strips ready for weaving – price is $15.
Class cost is $40

Mola - Sat. May 4th 2pm - 5pm

In this class you will learn how to make a Mola that incorporates reverse applique and simple embroidery stitches. I will show you different ways to display your Mola and give a short history on mola making in the San Blas Islands. Many examples of Molas are shown.

Both classes are for  beginners and experienced appliquers. You will be using hand stitching, NO sewing machine required.

Class cost is $40

Registration begins Mar 4- Val will take 10 students in each class

Teacher - Jean Newsted

Jean Newsted is an avid spinner with a lifelong interest in the fibre arts.  She learned to spin when she moved to Canada in 1977.  After accumulating a houseful of spinning wheels, fleeces and fibres, she began giving flax workshops in 1991, hoping to foster the love of linen and the bast fibres in spinners everywhere.  In addition to teaching spinning and knitting, she has published articles in Spin-Off and elsewhere, as well as entering her work in exhibitions and juried shows.  She has raised angora rabbits, using their fur in her creations.  Jean has also lived in England and New Zealand where she acquired even more fleeces and fibres.  She moved to the Comox Valley in 2000, where she is pursuing her keen interest in growing and using plants to dye all that handspun yarn.  The fleeces and fibres continue to multiply.

 We are very fortunate to have Jean teaching and lecturing

Growing and using Japanese Indigo

    

 Jean with be lecturing about her adventures in growing and using Indigo to dye yarns and fabric. I saw a very informal demo of this at a spinning retreat once and was amazed at the wealth of knowledge Jean has on this subject. She will have many sample and slides to present. So if you are interseted in growing and usinf Indigo for dying you don't want to miss this.

Friday May 3  3-5pm
Class cost is $27.

Spinning the bast fibres:  an introduction to Flax, Hemp, and Ramie

      

           In this workshop students will learn the special techniques involved in spinning and processing of flax, hemp and ramie, as well as various bast fibre blends.  We will also talk about the cultivation, processing and uses of these fibres in both historical and ethnological contexts.

          Students should be at the advanced beginner spinning level, comfortable with the wheel, and able to control the grist of their yarn.

             Maximum number of students: 12

This workshop will be on Sunday, May 5th, from 10 A.M.to 4:30 or 5:00 P.M.  

               Jean will bring everything the students need, except their spinning wheels, and will charge a $10 dollar materials fee.

Class cost is $80.

Registration for these workshops will begin March 4. More details about registration will be coming soon.

Teacher - Sivia Harding

This week I will be introducing you to the teachers who will be offering classes at the Fibre Fest. We are so fortunate to have Sivia Harding designer extraordinare coming, she will be teaching for 3 days at our Fibre fest. I have always loved her designs and sold many of her patterns in the store. I have knit several. I am looking forward to meeting her and would love to take all of her classes.


She will be teaching Friday May 3  1:00 - 4:30pm
Harmonia’s Rings: Exploring Moebius and More!
Moebius knitting has had a special place in my heart ever since I learned the basic technique from Cat Bordhi several years ago. Now (with her blessing), I teach Cat’s cast on along with my particular enhancements of this simple yet endlessly fascinating form.

The Harmonia’s Rings family of patterns use Cat Bordhi’s Moebius cast on to achieve the mysterious spiral neck shape, and feature a stitch pattern that creates concentric rings reminiscent of ancient architecture. This cowl sits cape-like over the shoulders, and suits a wide range of body types. This class introduces many techniques: the Moebius cast on, shaping and texture within the Moebius structure, and the charming beaded picot bind off, among others. We discuss customizing the shape to fit any body type. A tunic and a sweater based on the cowl are shown. This class is 3 1/2 hours long.
Skills required: knitting in the round, knitting and purling, basic increasing in knit and purl.
Class cost $47.

Sat., May 4  10 am - 5 pm
Fill a Triangle with Lace
Access your inner designer in this gentle and supportive workshop. You will learn all the skills you need to design your own top-down triangle shawl, and acquire many tools that carry over into other areas of knitwear design.
In this class we examine the structure of the top-down triangle shawl and insert our choice of lace patterns to create an original design, with an eye to shaping, esthetics, and flow. Charting patterns, shaping lace in pattern, modulation from one pattern to another, and using borders and edgings are discussed. Students receive the benefit of Sivia’s years of experience in designing innovative lace shawls and exceptional beaded lace. This workshop is the perfect blend of lace design skills, inspiration and discovery. This class is 6  hours in length.
Skills required: basic lace stitches, basic increasing and decreasing, knitting and purling.
Classs cost $80.

and Sunday May 5 10 am - 1pm
Bead Whimsy!
Does bling make your heart sing? Learn how to put beautiful beads in an assortment of stitch patterns, and in the process learn an amazing amount about knitting with beads. While working a small sampler we will explore potential beading situations: how to bead cables, lace, texture, or just plain knitting. You will emerge with inspiration and tons of ideas. This class is 3 hours long.

Class Cost $40.

Supply lists for all of Sivia's classes will be available upon registration

The Shawl Picture

The picture I choose to represent the fibre fest was choosen for several reasons. Firstly that is my pretty daughter Megan modeling a shawl pattern I submitted to Magknit (a now deceased online knitting magazine) The pattern is the Squiggle shawl and is knit from several different yarns from Sweatermaker Yarns. These yarns are all hand dyed and the bulky yarn is also hand spun by Judy Maclean of Courtenay, B.C.. The picture is taken on a very hot day at Rebecca Spit on Quadra Island.
I felt the picture was perfect to represent the fibre fest because of the scenery in the background, the carefree flow of the shawl in the wind and the fact the yarn was dyed and spun on Vancouver Island.

Fibre fest

May 3-5, 2013 will be the weekend to come to Campbell River if you love fibre. The City of Campbell River is hosting the 1st Vancouver Island Fibre Fest. We have been planning this for years and I am really happy to be part of the planning of this great event. Judy Ridgway - the event planner at the Campbell River Community Centre and I have been talking about this for at least 5 years.
It all started in 2009. Here are a few highlights from that show.
http://funknits.blogspot.ca/2009/04/north-island-sewing-needle-fibre-arts.html

http://funknits.blogspot.ca/2009/04/singing-quilter.html

http://funknits.blogspot.ca/2009/04/from-sheep-to-shawl.html

It was a great weekend and very well attended,  at the end of the show I mentioned to Judy I would help her if she wanted another one, so she agreed and last year called me to help create this Fibre fest.

We have a group on Ravelry and on Facebook but the blog is where I am most comfortable posting. I will use this to update who is coming, what is going on etc...... I will also keep Ravelry and Facebook updates.

So far we have Sivia Harding coming to teach (classes to be announced soon), she will teach 2 full days.
Jean Newstead will be teaching a full day workshop on spinning bast ( linen, hemp etc) fibres.
I wil be teaching sock knitting and many more teachers and classes are being organized. We will have a full list of classes and sign up information within 2 weeks.

We will have a wonderful Merchant mall with about 20 great vendors. I will have a booth and have all of my left over yarn from Fun Knits 1/2 price. That should be fun.

Since I closed the shop I haven't done much except my own personal, knitting, weaving and spinning so this event is like old times for me. I miss all the great fibre people who were in my life and look forward to meeting new people.
I am hoping this Fibre fest can become an annual event, much like Gibson's Fibre Festival which I am sure everyone misses.