Weaver's Night Out--Cricket Club This Thursday

It's time to start the new year out with a bit of weaving inspiration. All new and seasoned weavers alike are invited to Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins in Boulder for an evening of weaving, sharing, community. (It's FREE!) Judy Steinkoenig, weaving teacher extraordinaire will be your hostess. Bring your Cricket, Flip, table, or tapestry loom and enjoy and evening weaving and sharing. Also good: bring along your latest project hot off the loom. 6:30-7:30 Shuttle's classroom.

Conversation with Madelyn van der Hoogt

Jane Patrick and Madelyn van der Hoogt after dinner at the historic Boulderado Hotel in Boulder.

I had the pleasure of spending the evening with the soon-to-be past editor of Handwoven magazine, Madelyn van der Hoogt. She's been at the helm of Handwoven for 12 years and is "retiring" to devote more time to her Weavers' School, volunteer in her community, and...weave! I asked Madelyn how she was feeling about the transition and she responded that all she knows is that her "to-do" list was very long and is much, much shorter today. She really thinks she'll get it all done by December 31st, her last day on the job. What a great way to start the new year, deadline free!

As a past editor of Handwoven, I had no idea the sense of freedom I'd feel when I put my last magazine to bed, cleaned out my desk, and drove home, but it was refreshingly liberating. (And I had no idea how much those deadlines were part my life--though looking back I have no regrets, as being Handwoven editor was one of the very special opportunities in my life).

So, Madelyn, I thank you for all your energy, good humour, hard work, and devotion to the craft--and all this brought to Handwoven. I wish you at least a few carefree days before you launch into the next thing, whether it's a book, a new course, or a fine double weave cloth. I'll miss seeing your touch in the magazine, but know absolutely that I'll be seeing you around!

Weaving: why we need it; why we need to pass it on

Much in the current issue (December/January 2012) of American Craft resonated with me. I want to share some of these things with you and to also encourage you to pick up a copy at your local newsstand. In her editorial, Monica Moses talks about Parks and Recreations’ Nick Offerman’s need for woodworking as a way to find solace in every day living.

She writes, “…woodworking has been Offerman’s therapy, lifeblood, salvation, and joy. He’s not alone, of course. For thousands of makers across the country, handwork is one of the most powerful forms of stress relief—cheaper than a shrink, more efficient than meditation, and a lot less risky than drugs and alcohol.”

“So if making things by hand is such a potent antidote to life’s pressures, as so many have discovered, are we teaching it in school? Are we arming our children with the craft skills they need to make their own contentment, to withstand the blows and hassles of modern life?”

There’s more to ponder in her article, which is a lead in to several features about craft and education in the magazine that caused me to think: Just what do I want my role to be as a handweaver, as a craftswoman, to ensure that not only the future of the craft continues, but that craft lives to nurture, challenge, and sustain future generations of creative and thinking individuals?

Day 4: Taos Road Trip—the belated report

Sarah and I hit the Wool Market early, doing a quick walk around the park where vendors were lined up around the edges. Adding to the festivities were live music; roasting almonds (hard, hard to resist); and a few Navajo sheep, alpacas and bunnies. Since we needed to hit the road, there wasn’t a lot of time for shopping. I did get, however, get the shopping report from friend Stephanie Flynn-Sokolov—yarn and fiber connoisseur. Here are a few of her favorite vendors:

Lonesome Stone Natural Fiber Mill The Beast, a limited edition fiber blend. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Wildflower Fiber/Plain and Fancy This Texas yarn company has great knitting and weaving yarn.
Kai Ranch Mohair Gorgeous dyed mohair locks in yummy colors
Woodland Woolies Wonderful bunny stuff, finished goods, yarn, beautiful batts.
Rocky Mountain Natural Colored Sheep Breeders Association If you want to start from the beginning, this is the place to buy a fleece from knowledgeable folk.

Reminder: Cricket Club this Thursday, October 20th at Shuttles, Spindles and Skeins, in Boulder, 6:30-8:30.
I’ll be bringing a bunch of plain weave sampls to share. See you there.

Taos Road Trip: Day 3

Here's Danelle gleefully showing off her two days of weaving.

Just back from a dinner at the local favorite eatery, Orlando's, where Sara and I met Abby Franquemont for some brewskies and chow. Abby had just come off of 6 days straight of teaching and we were impressed with the vigor and enthusiasm pouring forth from one mighty lady. It was a fun ending to a final (second day for me--finger controlled weaves)day of teaching. Tomorrow we'll hit the Wool Market early and then hop in the car for Boulder.

Taos Class: Pick Me Up

AAAAAAAwsome. My sutdents was amazing: They mastered weft floats, warp floats, and then put it all together in a window pane pattern of alternating warp and weft floats. We explored honeycomb(so loved that they adored my favorite weave!)...and all with good cheer.

Sara, my fellow traveler, taught a beginning weaving class, and afterwards, we walked around the plaza and landed in Cueva, a colorful dive with yummy (affordable!) eats. Since we really were hoping for a post-class brewsky (and Cueva doesn't serve alcohol), we left in search of a new adventure. We found it at Eske Brew Pub. We both enjoyed a pint of their yummy Black Cat, as well as the tripy environs and local color.

Road Trip to Taos Wool Festival

We’re off to Taos to teach at the Wool Festival. Here’s my traveling companion, Sara Goldenberg White with all of our teaching stuff packed in my Prius. Taos here we come!

It was a gorgeous fall day and we took the scenic route via 285 through Fairplay, along Pike National Forest. Somehow we weren’t thinking “fall color” when we headed out so the amazing display of golden aspens in their entire splendor just thrilled us. Miles and miles of gold in amongst the pines against the blue, blue Colorado sky reminded us why we love Colorado so much.





Poncha Springs was our lunch stop. It’s not much of a town really…but it does have TWO Thai restaurants. Here’s the one we chose, complete with Buddha out front. If you ever happen this way, the food was fresh and tasty. Then off again driving along the east side of The Great Sand Dunes, a wonderful, quirky natural phenomenon.



In Antonito we took a short detour to see this quirky man made phenomenon...by some Gaudi wanna be? Needless to say, we wanted to know more.

We knew Taos was close when we crossed the Rio Grande. It’s been at least 20 years since I’ve been here and it seems spiffier than I remember. Loads of traffic and a bit of winding around before we got our bearings, but loved, loved, loved, the adobe everywhere.

When you’re in Taos you gotta eat Southwestern, so we chose Doc Martens in the Taos Inn, an historic hotel and restaurant. The tamales and enchiladas were worth another trip.