A wonderful weekend and more news from Shetland

Earlier this month I attended a weekend knitting retreat. It was organized by three talented artists from Wakefield, Quebec and was the third time it had been held. The registration fee included two nights accommodation, wonderful meals, three different knitting-related workshops, and lots of time to just knit, visit, and enjoy the rural setting. It was very relaxing and I asked the organizers to put me on next year's registration list.

While there, I didn't complete the projects as I'd hoped and expected. I frequently (in fact usually) am extremely unrealistic at how much I think I will accomplish. However, it was a treat to just sit and knit with compatible knitters, without any interruptions. In addition to taking along a man's vest I'd started several years ago, I also brought Lucy Neatby's rainbow sheep sweater design, which I am essentially reknitting. (That was started in another century!)

As of yesterday, I finally have internet connection at home. The downside was that I had 899 emails in my inbox, but the upside was definitely, that amongst those messages, I had an email from Shetland announcing a publication called 60 Shetland. I haven't read through it thoroughly, but on a quick perusal, it is full of interesting articles and not just knitting. Go to: http://visit.shetland.org/onlinemag to get the magazine and you can also sign up to receive future issues.

  

News from all over

This week I completed two projects and was able to give them to two grandaughters. Both items had been essentially completed for way too long. One was a mitred blanket which finally got its flannelette backing and the other a sweater, which only needed a few touches. Just have two UFOs--one I expect to complete during a weekend workshop in early May.

Earlier this month I ordered a small iPad cover as a gift from my computer in Ottawa. It seemed a straight-forward transaction and I assumed the purchase was filled directly from a location in either the U.S. or Canada. However, I was astounded when I received the details of the tracking information:

-  12 April - Order processed in China;
-    "     "    - Departure from Shenzhen, China;
-    "     "    - Departure from Hong Kong;
-    "     "    - Departure from Anchorage, AK;
-   13    "    - Departure from Louisville, KY;
-     "    "    - Arrival Mount Hope, ON;
-   14   "     - Arrival Concord, ON;
-   16    "    - Delivery Toronto, ON!

I realize this item wasn't alone on all the flights, however feel that the carbon footprint was extremely great. Made me feel guilty at how I'd added to the world's pollution. It shows how much manufacturing has moved off shore.

On a more positive note: I learned about the Twist Collective and their excellent newsletter via an email received from Foxfire Fiber & Designs. Another site I want to follow regularly: http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/spring/magazinepage_01.php

It is reported that Kate Middleton, a.k.a. the Duchess of Cambridge, supports Harris Tweed http://www.princesscatherinestyle.com/style-essentials-harris-tweed.

 

More textile news

I don't like to begin with sad news, but wanted to let you know that after much discussion, the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers has regretfully decided they must close their Textile Museum.

As many of you will know, they once occupied a wonderful space in a renovated mill at Weisdale. Unfortunately, their lease was just for ten years and the lease holder, Bonhoga Gallery refused to extend the Guild's occupancy. Last year we saw a much smaller exhibition, when the Museum occupied the Bod of Gremista, just outside Lerwick. For a number of reasons, this space proved to be unsuitable, plus too expensive to heat. The Guild found that the effort in keeping the Textile Museum in operation was monopolising too much of their time and energies to the detriment of other Guild activities. In the economic climate of the U.K., the funding required is virtually unavailable. I understand that the renovation of the manor house for their dreamed of/proposed Textile Working Museum has also been put in abeyance.

Another interesting article in the latest newsletter from The Centre for Creative Industries:

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1669098/nike-unveils-its-big-new-paradigm-shoes-knit-like-socks

Nike does seem like something of a trail blazer, as it was the firm which recently revitalized the Harris tweed industry when they ordered a trainer made from tweed. Master weaver, Donald John Mackay said when he first read the order, he was sure that there had been a misprint in the number of yards ordered. Once he realized it was correct, he had to enlist the help of weavers on Harris and Lewis.

In the 2012 British Honours List, Donald John received an MBE--Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Those who have come on the Scottish Skeins & Skerries Tours, will remember Donald John from our visits to his tiny weaving shed, overlooking beautiful Luskentyre Beach on Harris. He is always very gracious and welcoming and eager to talk about weaving and answer our many questions--in fact, it is sometimes difficult to get him to leave the loom and sell us some tweed.

I have a subscription to the quarterly magazine, Wild Fibers and enjoy the articles and the stunning photographs. Recently I received two emails from them, one with the sad announcement of a fire at Earth Art Cashmere Farm in Marshville, Nova Scotia. The other was about a sale of woven articles which the publisher Linda Cortright bought in her travels. Have a look at: http://www.wildfibersmagazine.com/

News from Shetland

Earlier this week I received the latest newsletter of the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers. I always look forward to reading about friends who've I've met on trips to Shetland and always learn more about textiles, mostly knitting.

In the current issue there was a reference to a publication called The Journal, which appears to focus on weaving, spinning and dyeing, but would appeal to anyone interested in textiles. Their website is: http://www.thejournalforwsd.org.uk/ and it looks like an interesting publication.

I also learned a new word--'dags'. They are mittens or gloves which were meant for outside or messy jobs. The design and yarn used allowed for adaptations--i.e. "the thumbs were inset to fit either hand, so there was plenty of wear in them!"

In following up to learn more about the next "In the Loop 2012" event for September 5 to 7th in Winchester, I came across an interesting blog: http://ingridmurnane.com/2011/11/15/call-for-papers-in-the-loop-3-the-voices-of-knitting/.

I would love to attend, but am looking forward to Wool Week on Shetland this October. Details to follow once they are available--expected in April.

I hadn't read Kate Davies's blog for awhile, but whenever I do, am constantly amazed at what she accomplishes! The latest includes a lengthy interview with Jean Moss, plus recipes, stunning photographs and designs, and even Shetland news. http://katedaviesdesigns.com/2012/03/08/sweet-shawlettes-tour-and-giveaway/

More about the Shetland Guild in the next blog.

Wool Week in Shetland & Knitting Morse Code

Earlier this week I spoke with Sarah at Jamieson & Smith, who is organizing Shetland Wool Week for 2012. She told me they are working on the activities and expect to offer more visits and venues than took place in 2011. Sarah said the final schedule would be available in April.

Several people who've come on the 'Scottish Skeins & Skerries Tours' have indicated they are very interested in attending. I am planning to go and have spoken with a representative of the Kveldsro and Lerwick hotels in Lerwick. She will put aside a small block of rooms at each hotel for those who wish to attend. I'll be posting more details in the next few months. This won't be an organized tour, just a suggestion for those looking for accommodation. It is expected to be a busy time on Shetland as a fiddle festival is taking place at the same time.

Received this website from Creative Industries Shetland. There is information about a small textile tour they are organizing for July, plus information about the African Asante cloth. http://creativeindustriesshetland.org.uk/2012/02/01/textile-tour-2012/

Some people never cease to amaze me: I was listening to CBC radio last Saturday and heard an interview of an American academic, Kristen Haring, who knits in Morse code! The interview was called "Beauty of Binary." Kristen also has a video entitled: "How to Knit a Popular History of Media" which is available on the CBC site: http://www.cbc.ca/spark/2012/02/spark-172-february-12-15-2012/

I regretted having to cancel my visit to Madrona in Tacoma this year but am looking forward to hearing all about it from friends who are currently attending.

Up Helly Aa

I'll be away on the 31 January, but wanted to post advance notice about the special event held then on Shetland, Up Helly Aa. There will be a live webcast at www.shetland.org/uha. Don't forget to take into account that Shetland is in another time zone and you'll have to adjust for this. You can also watch the sail racing, which starts in Aberdeen and is scheduled to arrive in Lerwick for Up Helly Aa.

I received the text which follows from Promote Shetland. There was an excellent photograph from a previous year, but I couldn't get it to copy to my blog.

Hello,

We just wanted to drop you a quick email to let you know that we will once again be broadcasting Up Helly Aa LIVE through our webcam network on 31st January. Up Helly Aa truly is quite spectacular to watch and for those not able to be here on the day, we hope you will manage to watch it online with us at www.shetland.org/uhaUp Helly Aa is our annual Viking event which takes place in Lerwick on the last Tuesday in January. It is Europe's largest fire festival and something very unique to Shetland. You can read about the history here.Please let us know if you experience any problems with the page this week and we will endeavour to have it sorted in time for the event.

Virtual sailing race to Shetland for Up Helly Aa Sailonline.org offers online offshore sailracing as you have never experienced it. With super realistic boat performance, state of the art wind forecasts and realtime chat you will have the ultimate online sailracing experience.The next race, starting on Friday 27th January, will leave from Aberdeen and routing via the Moray Firth, SOLers will race through several of the Shetland Islands with the intention of arriving in Lerwick for Tuesday 31st January to take in the Up Helly Aa celebrations.To find out more about the race or to register to take part, click here.

Travel, Shetland & Weaving

I was a retail travel agent for years before concentrating on knitting tours. However, anything related with travel in general still attracts my attention, and I receive many travel-related newsletters every week. I found the following potentially helpful, especially during the winter months, when extreme weather conditions can interrupt our travel plans.

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/travelers-ed/airport-delays-six-ways-to-cope

Not wishing to go on too much about my interest and love for Shetland (which I feel certain a lot of people share)--I get this newsletter on a regular basis: http://creativeindustriesshetland.org.uk There are a number of references to a wide variety of weaving--i.e. see the Penelope connection. I'm not a spinner or weaver but am very interested in any thing connected with textiles. There was much to read on this site--even an announcement for a weaver-in-residence post, which may be of interest to the weavers in our group :

Also don't miss the textiles blog by Deborah Gray. She doesn't just write about Scottish events but also her time at seminars in Italy. http://creativeindustriesshetland.org.uk/links/

Elizabeth Johnston is recognized as a master spinner and weaver. (She spoke to our group during a previous 'Scottish Skeins Tour' and she brought many examples of old Shetland knitting.) Elizabeth has demonstrated on the loom at the archaeological dig at Scatness Broch near the airport on Shetland, and she wove the costumes for the guides there. (Depending on when you came on a 'Scottish Skeins & Skerries Tour', you may have met her.) Today I came across her blog and was interested to see her connection with Norway. Very timely for 2012. http://www.shetlandhandspun.com/