Welcome to the West Alabama Fiber Guild Newsletter

Next meeting: Sunday, February 5, 2017, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
**Note the 1 hour earlier start time.**

Location: 1000 28th Avenue, Tuscaloosa

Topic: Blending Boards & Fiber Preparation

If you have a blending board, drum carder, or hand cards, bring them. Also bring: an assortment of fibers (any type), hair brushes (any type), 1/4" diameter wooden dowel 14"-16" long (or similarly sized knitting needles).

Last meeting: Sunday, January 15, 2017

Topic: Spinning Sunday and Planning for 2017

Twelve members were present at the last meeting. We worked on our own projects and discussed ideas for programs for 2017. We brainstormed for program ideas first, then voted on them to see which ones had the most interest. Carol and I then worked out a schedule.

Jennifer knitting.

(clockwise from top left:)
Shawl crocheted with hand-spun yarn by Deanna A.
Hat knit by Heather K.
Beaded knit swatch by Lynn H. - Pattern "Winter's Whisper" Mystery Shawl, Designs by Mesha
Merino, bamboo, and silk blend spindle spinning by Candice W.
Cotton yarn with hand-dyed warp, hand woven by Jennifer C.
Knit Picks Majestic knitting needles, happily owned by Tori S.
Hat knit by Jennifer C.

Other Tidbits:
Candice W. has the spare guild wheel, an Ashford Traveler, that needs a new home. If you are interested in learning to spin, or just have appropriate storage space, please contact Candice.

Joann Fabrics will be opening in the old Hancock Fabrics building on Veterans Memorial Parkway/15th Street, possibly in April.

Tori S. took some pictures when she visited Mo-Purl Yarn Mill recently. It is owned and operated by Bob Moseley in Auburn, AL.

Yarn ready to be dyed in a pressurized vessel at Mo-Purl.

Program Schedule for 2017

02/05 Blending Boards & Fiber Preparation

02/19 Spinning Sunday*, Continue Discussion of Fiber Prep

03/05 Spindle Spinning & Drafting

03/19 Spinning Sunday*

04/02 Beginning Spinning on a Wheel
If you wish to borrow a wheel, contact Deanna A. or Candice W.

04/16 Easter Sunday (We will still have a meeting for those interested.)

05/07 Spinning Sunday*

05/21 Beginning Spinning, Continued

06/04 Spinning & Plying Novelty Yarns

06/18 Father's Day (We will still have a meeting for those interested.)

07/02 Cotton Thread Dyeing
Program organized by Tori S.
Bamboo and rayon threads can also be dyed with the same process.

07/16 Spinning Sunday*

08/06 Knitting Techniques
Possibly to include: lace knitting and chart reading, mosaic knitting (slipped stitch patterns), continental purling, double knitting, and knitting with beads.

08/20 Knitting with Technology
Knit Companion and Ravelry demo by Lynn H.
Here are two websites that Lynn recommends to get you started:
PrintFriendly.com Makes any webpage print friendly by streamlining the formatting and removing unnecessary elements (such as ads).
SmallPDF.com A pdf utility website that will turn several file formats, including jpgs, into a pdf file, and also provides tools for optimizing your pdfs.

09/03 Sunday before Labor Day
(We will still have a meeting for those interested.)

09/17 Needle Felting

10/08 Preparation for Kentuck

10/20, Friday - Kentuck Setup
10/21 & 22 - Kentuck weekend (No regular meeting.)

11/05 Coiled Basket Making
(and Daylight Saving Time ends)
This is a method of basket making that uses a clothes line core and can also be made with pine needles.

11/19 Spinning Sunday*

12/03 Holiday Party
Bring food and gifts!

12/17 Spinning Sunday*
Work on your last-minute gift projects without the usual distractions of home!

*Spinning Sunday is our name for an open meeting with no planned program. Bring any project that you would like to work on, or just come and chat.