Weaving at the Fair

I love that this fair places a high priority on fiber – selling fleeces, hosting the Wednesday spinners, having sheepdog demonstrations, displaying tools used in fiber crafts, devoting a whole tent to fiber companies of various kinds, holding demos by dyers and other textile crafters. It is truly delightful. The only thing – I don’t often buy yarn here, because the brands that they sell are too heavy for my liking. I could probably find something to buy, but I don’t need to. There are other places to get yarn. One year I bought a few skeins of cashmere yarn on sale that I knitted into a scarf that I never wear. Another year I bought a small skein of angora wool made from combing a rabbit, that sits unused so far. This year I bought wooden buttons and almost bought a darning egg. It was $39, beautifully made. But I figured I could find a darning egg somewhere second-hand or make do with something else when it comes time to darn socks (a new and necessary skill for me!).

The fairgrounds have memorialized weaving with a huge loom made of granite! The loom was designed by Susan Barrett Merrill, who I’ve written about here before. It was built by the Maine Stoneworkers Guild, who also have a presence at the fair every year. The loom is sited in the center of a dye garden. Every year, they weave three wall hangings, one for each day of the fair. This woman takes charge of the weavings, but the general public is able to make as many rows as they wish.

Various little looms were on display. I was especially interested to see the partially completed potholder there, based on the discussions recently on SpiritCloth (link is passworded, for supporters only). I don’t have my childhood potholder loom anymore, but I do have a loom similar to the one labeled “Modern Tapestry Loom” in the middle of the photo. As well as a few other little looms.

This items was new to me – a phang. It’s a supported spindle style traditional to Ladakh, India. I don’t want to take up spinning at this point – it’s too much, and I’d rather knit or stitch. But the traditions associated with spinning and weaving wool feel so important and are so comforting to me. I’m content to collect traditional knowledge at this point in my life without having to try everything for myself.