Golden Gate Fiber Institute

Summer Intensive 2008 

Class Descriptions

The theme for the July retreat is Folk traditions. It is our hope that the classes offered will offer a window into history and encourage us to see older techniques in new ways.

Each student will have the opportunity to take 1 class from Track A and 1 class from Track B. Each class will meet 3 hours a day for 6 days.

Track A

Knitting Estonian Lace - A Study in Traditional and Modern Techniques       with Nancy Bush

Estonia has a lace knitting tradition spanning nearly 200 years. Learn about the unique stitch patterns, creative shawl construction, and history of these lovely, timeless garments. 

This workshop will cover both traditional and modern methods of Estonian shawl construction.  Students will learn the techniques for knitting Estonian lace; making the main pattern using some unique stitches and adding several types of edges including one with mitered corners. Students will have the skills to make several styles of shawls and scarves at the end of workshop. 

Knotted Cut Pile: Not Just for Carpets!     with Sara Lamb

One of the most luxurious fabrics, knotted cut pile is surprisingly simple to weave.  Using modest equipment, and readily available tools and materials, learn to weave this ancient and beautiful technique long used to make Oriental cut pile carpets.  We will learn the process while weaving a small sample project, and discuss ways to incorporate this technique into more than just rugs. All materials and loom provided.   No Previous weaving experience necessary.  Materials fee  includes take-home loom.

Link to the Past; Bridge to the Future    with Judith MacKenzie McCuin 

Ancient yarns and modern fibers, modern yarns and ancient fibers. Like time travelers, spinners have both our history and the future at their fingertips. In this class, we’ll look at novelty yarns that have been made by indigenous people since the Neolithic and we’ll reconstruct them using gloriously dyed kid mohairs, silk and glitter fibers. They will be the perfect yarn to use with non-traditional knitting and crochet techniques. We’ll look at ancient rugs and spin both silk and wenslydale tops to make a perfect yarn for knotted pile and velvet. We’ll spin sea silk and bamboo threads for lace as beautiful as any medieval queen would have worn. We’ll make blends of tencel, one of our most modern fibers with silk, wool and cotton – our most ancient fibers. We’ll have a wonderful array of fibers to work with and plenty of beautiful textiles to inspire us.

Track B

You can leave your hat on!         with Loyce Ericson

Hats, hats, hats!  We will explore how to make a myriad of felted hats this week, starting with a racy beret, moving into brimmed chapeaus, and finishing with extraordinary flights of fancy.  These hand-felted hats will be worked over a plastic resist pattern using a wide range of wools.  No prior feltmaking experience needed – and no knitting required!

                                           

Nature-based dyes have been used for millenia to bring color to the world of textiles.  After a century of declining use, these dyes are increasingly being taken up by textile dyers that want to work with the multifaceted colors produced by nature and also lessen their impact on the environment.  In this workshop participants will learn the basics of using nature dyes including extracting color from various materials, shifting colors with minerals, acids and bases, and identifying new dye sources.  We will work with a variety of traditional plant and insect dyes as well as explore the area around the workshop site for local plants that can be used as sources of color.  Materials fee TBA.

Freeform Crochet and Knitting Intensive          with Myra Wood

For the beginner or advanced freeform fiberartist.

In this class you will learn to make gorgeous freeform wearable art, accessories and home interior items.  You will be inspired to think outside your everyday knit/crochet box and take traditional techniques into new and unique realms.  

We will start with   “What the Heck is Freeform?”. We’ll start with intro to specific stitches and motifs in both crochet and/or knitting (whichever you prefer). I’ll be teaching the most basic crochet stitches so you are welcome to bring a hook and try it out if you’ve never crocheted before. If you’re interested in knitting too, you just need to know the knitting basics of casting on, knitting, purling and binding off.  

I’ll walk you through making a “scrumble” (freeform fabric piece) so that you’ll understand the basic development of freeform fiber art. We’ll also discuss good design, color & yarn choices, balance and inspiration throughout the 2 days.      

Then “Let’s Get Ready to Scrumble”. We’ll be scrumbling up a storm and I’ll provide direction and answer any questions that come up. We’ll get into some advanced stitches in both knitting and crochet.   Most importantly, you’ll learn how to create a template for a wearable art piece or accessory and work your scrumbles into the template.      

Next we will spend time learning “Fabulous Fabrication” -how to join the pieces together to create a larger fabric. You’ll also learn several methods to work within the fabric to fill out to the edges of your template. We’ll also discuss fit and sizing and make any adjustments necessary.      

“What Happens Next?” is all about finishing. I’ll show you seaming and several edging techniques for a clean finish. We’ll also discuss tons of ways to embellish your piece with surface crochet, embroidery, beadwork along with a number of other methods to make your art sing.

You can see a gallery of Myra's work at www.myrawood.com and be inspired!