Spinners, Knitters, Dyers Learn How Vikings Knitted At Retreat
Astrid Thomsen has knitted on and off all of her life, but she didn't learn how to do Viking knitting until she participated in this year's Wildflower Fiber Retreat.
Spinners, knitters and dyers gathered at Camp Tyler Saturday for the 16th annual retreat where they could spin fiber, dye wool, make jewelry, attend workshops or even catch up with old friends.
"It's fun and relaxing and informative," Thomsen said. "I look forward to it every year."
Midge Jackson, chairperson of the Wildflower Fiber Retreat Committee, said about 50 people -- mostly from across Texas -- decided to participate in the three-day event.
"It's surprising the number of spinners that are around. You wouldn't think there are so many, but there are," she said.
Spinners in general and people at the retreat are trying to keep the craft of spinning alive, Jackson said, but they are also trying to explore new fibers and new techniques.
She noted that a lot of newer fibers such as fiber made with bamboo are made in a laboratory.
The event began Friday with an opportunity for new spinners to take a beginning spinning class.
On Saturday, some attendees participated in a Viking knitting workshop and made bracelets, others spun and some participated in a Bargello workshop where they could create an Aurora Borealis pattern.
Jackson said Aurora Borealis was actually the theme of the retreat.
"All our workshops tend to go with that theme," she said. "(We're) focusing on northern breeds of sheep and northern traditions, including Iceland, Scotland (and) Scandinavia."
Also on Saturday, Marilyn Miles from Lincoln, Ark. was scheduled to talk about Icelandic wool and Joyce Terrell was scheduled to talk about Shetland Sheep.
There were plenty of activities planned for Saturday night as well, such as contest judging and a show and tell time.
Jackson said judges will choose first, second- and third-place winners from participants' handspun or hand-processed creations, and a People's Choice Award will also be given.
Additionally, a workshop is scheduled for Sunday morning where one topic will be knitting with Lopi yarn.
If attendees weren't involved with a workshop or listening to a speaker, they had plenty of other activities that were available.
One room had hand cards and other equipment, which Jackson said could be used for preparing fiber for spinning.
Participants could also dye fibers -- using Kool-Aid and other materials -- or buy items from vendors.
Vendors provided plenty of options for attendees to choose from, including drop spindles, yarn and a triangle loom for weaving shawls.
Regardless of whether they bought something from a vendor, attendees at this year's retreat will not go home empty-handed because they each will get a door prize, Jackson said.
She said this year's retreat is different from previous years because there was a little cold weather this time.
"It's more fun when it's cold. We like to wear our sweaters and our shawls, It's a good opportunity this year to have a nice, cozy retreat," Jackson said.
No matter what the weather was or what they were doing, participants seemed to be having a good time Saturday.
Thomsen, of Farmersville, said there is a lot of camaraderie between the participants and they are always learning and fine tuning their skills.
She talked about different aspects of animal management and other subjects with participants, she said.
Elizabeth Harkins, of Dallas, was at the retreat for the first time this year.
She said she has only been spinning for a little more than a year, so she wanted to learn from other spinners.
"In the old days, everybody was a spinner," Jackson said. "But for us, it's a great creative process. We've got some wonderful people here and they're enjoying themselves."
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