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September 2012
Tzouhalem Spinners and Weavers Guild Newsletter "The Sheep Shearing Match, 1875" oil on Canvas. Eyre Crowe
Fresh on the heels of the Sheep to Shawl event at the Cowichan Exhibition, I’ve given more thought to the elemental basics of sheep shearing.
Think of it. World population of sheep is over 1 billion. Global wool production is 1.3 million tonnes per year. Every spinner’s roving, everyball of commercial yarn, every Eaton’s sweater, every Gap fashion statement in wool, every carpet, started with a sheep and a human fleece removal specialist - usually wielding a hand operated shearing device. One by one, each surprised animal is gracelessly propped on end, and in a couple of minutes, left bereft of his or her coat.
At the Cowichan Exhibition, Pieter de Mooy gave demonstrations of ancient to modern shearing techniques, all of which are viable today. Whether it be with hand, or rotary, or electric clippers, sheep are sheared exclusively by hand. We have mechanical cotton pickers, mechanical milking machines, but, there is not, and hopefully never will be, the sheep shearing equivalent of a mechanical apple-peeler where the sheep is stuffed in one end and comes out the other, stripped naked in neat spiral rows. With shearers so adept at the trade - the World lamb shearing record, held by Ivan Scott -is a staggering 749 head in 8 hours - who needs mechanization.
However, one does wonder, how sheep managed before we sheared them. Surely there weren’t tribes of Shreks with 60 pound fleeces roaming the hills. Well, there is one method of fleecing a sheep that answers that: Rooing.. Before domestication, millenia ago, sheep would have naturally shed. Some Shetland Sheep still have a natural shedding cycle. Their fibres are weak in the late spring or early summer and break off easily. allowing all or some of the fleece to be plucked - or rooed. http://www.shetlandsheepinfo.com/
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And what’s to come? We needn’t hold our breath about what futuristic fleecing methods await us. It’s here. Did you know?:
Bioclipping is a modern bioengineering method of artificially mimicking the original shedding traits of the sheep. This process involves the injection of an epidermal growth factor protein into the sheep. The temporary cessation of wool growth results in the fibers being so weakened that the fleece literally falls off. A fitted mesh body bag that the sheep wears for the duration of the procedure keeps the fleece on while a new protective coat grows, and then the sheep is shipped off somewhere to be unzipped and defrocked. You may find out more about the system here. http://www.bioclip.com.au/view/history/
Stuff and nonsense. Let’s stick to tried and true century old technology. Here’s Alison, helping Pieter deMooy operate a hand cranked shearing device.
And some of Dave and Jan’s adorable sheep.
Happy spinning,
Cynara de Goutiere
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Sheep to Shawl 2012
Jan and Dave Loop hosted the Sheep to Shawl event at the Cowichan Exhibition, Sept. 7th., providing the spinning fleece, and the shearing demonstration by Pieter de Mooy. There were three teams, Victoria, Sooke and Cowichan. The sheep barn was packed with onlookers, as the teams spun and wove the shawls in the 6 hour time period. Elaine Duncan officiated the judging and commentary. The Hay Ewes - Tanis Bapty, captain and spinner, spinners and plyers and carders, Lori Gowland, Michele Pace, Sandy Riecken, Valerie Rennie-Bell, and weaver, Cynara de Goutiere, represented the TSWG. All teams completed beautiful shawls. The summer work of planning, preparing the warp and dressing the loom was huge - and could not have been done without team supporters Alison Irwin, Barbara Dowd, Evid Hazelbower, Jan McKinnon-Loop, Melody Lang. The Shawl was inspired by roses on an old stone wall - with dewdrops - which were glass beads on a supplementary warp. Our team earned second place.
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The Hay Ewes having a fun, very fruitful day, even finding time for some yoga stretches!
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The Victoria and Sooke teams and their shawls.
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Tanis Bapty, our fearless Sheep to Shawl Captain, is a poet and we didnʼt know it! This is Tanisʼs delightful summation of the event:
SHAWLING - 2012
'Sheep to Shawl' - come one, come allCreative ones unite.
The Guild will spin and weave.The tempting hook, we bite, we bite.
In June the group convenesA flush of colours, patterns, themes.
On to getting to the purposeA fabric with beauty of stone and rose
Woven twill and blended colourCome alive with woven wonder.
Reluctant spinners deny their talents.We need you, beginners, all.
With an unseen throng of supportersAnd hands-on help from many quarters
A bond develops, ideas flower.
Where will we spin and weave?Out, then in, as llamas leave.
In a tent, or in a hall.We'd like a place with floor and wall.
Teach and reach the gathered throng.How do sheep by us, get worn?The gift of wool of many kinds
Around the world we find.
Here in Cowichan the Romney breedIs soft and supple and meets our need.
So cosy up in sock, sweater, shawl'Hay Ewe' hands will make them all.
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The Shawl has been presented to Els van Dam in recognition of her tireless work on the Sheep to Shawl at the 2011 Cowichan Exhibition, and, Yes! her “pass it on” philosophy.
Cynara showing Els one of the warp threads that is of yarn we spun and dyed for last year’s shawl.
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Show and Tell
Wow, some fabulous weaving from our members! Clockwise from top. Jan’s finished scarf woven on Sooke Guild’s shared warp using her beautiful peacock handspun merino. Toni’s overshot -“Trellis” draft is from Bertha Gray Hayes’ book on overshot, and some beautiful twill towels, Janet Craske’s colour gamp carrying case for our Guild banner.
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More beautiful weaving - Joanne’s sampler which she has completed on her Dorothy loom. and Alison’s inkle pick-up weaving sampler.
And Alison brought a booklet that combines cooking and weaving drafts!
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Barbara Birke’s beautiful lace work.
New Member, Carol Avon’s spinnings.
Cynara’s Japanese indigo dyed rovings.
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Textile DayBarbara Dowd and Cynara did a fun presentation of dyeing with Japanese indigo. Barbara brought stalks of the plants she had grown. We pulped the leaves in a vinegary cold water bath, and after an hour the submersed fibers emerged a beautiful robin’s egg blue.
Cynara took the bath and fibers home to do another dip. The final result is the top one in this photo. Then, wondering if more blue could be extracted from the bath, she turned the bath into an alkaline one and put the bath through the indigo process which involves de-oxygenating the indigo with Thiourea dioxide, and did another dye with this. Lower one in the picture is the resulting blue.
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Arts on the Avenue in Ladysmith - Sunday August 26 .Alison coordinated our Guild representation there. The TSWG tent was beautifully set up, and had lots of interested visitors, and busy curious wanna-be weaver kids.
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Anita Mayer Workshops
Alison has invited weaver Anita Luvera Mayer of Anacortes, Washington, to come to the Cowichan Valley in the October of 2013 (yes, that year is correct) to present one of her workshops. She is an extraordinary textile artist; many of her unique garments are created from narrow handwoven panels embellished with embroidery, beads and other textiles. Anita has written several books and contributed articles to magazines such as 'Handwoven' and 'Threads'.You may check out this link for an example of her stunning work.http://www.womensjourneysinfiber.com/5-Robes/Mayer.htm
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Fleece and Fibre...
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.I love thee to the depth and breadth and heightMy soul can reach, when feeling out of sightFor the ends of being and ideal grace.I love thee to the level of every day'sMost quiet need, by sun and candle-light.I love thee freely, as men strive for right.I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.I love thee with the passion put to useIn my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.I love thee with a love I seemed to loseWith my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,I shall but love thee better after death.
.....hey, I didn’t know Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a fibre freak.See you all there!
Fleece and Fiber FestOctober 20th, Eagles Hall
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Neps & Locks and Thrums & Snippets
Type to enter text
Els Van Dam puts neps and locks to wonderful use. She stuffs old socks with reject rovings, runs these sock balls through a wash cycle and then a one hour dry. Then with a felting needle is embossing the hard felted balls with coloured roving. Beautiful! Pincushions sitting plumply in baskets and Otto’s turned wooden bowls.
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For SaleFor Sale Leclerc 24” “Meco” 4 shaft folding table loom (no stand or reed)Weaving width 22”Side mounted leversLoom collapses for easy transport and/or storage Optional to expand number of shafts from 4-12 and also stand with treadles making it into a floor loom. This is a discontinued model that was replaced with the 24” Dorothy model. In good condition$125.00 Call Joanne Robillard250-743-6997
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Purebred Angora GoatsMohair fleecesDevon Stringer2109 Ida Avenue,Shawnigan Lake, BC250 [email protected]://www.hummingbeefarm.webs.com/
Herb Wise FarmsPurebred Cotswold fleeceScott & Karla Henderson3060 Mount Sicker RoadChemainus, BC,V0R 1K4250 246-3606Westholme, [email protected]
http://www.herbwisefarms.com
Dunedin FarmRomney Marsh sheep growersJan and Dave Loop1677 Baldy Mountain Road.Shawnigan Lake, BC,V0R [email protected]://www.dunedinfarm.ca/Home.html
Buttonladys Gallery3733 Frigate RoadRR # 2 North Pender IslandBritish Columbia , CanadaV0N 2 M21-250-629-6205<http://www.buttonladysgallery.com/>[email protected]
Jane Stafford Textiles142 Richard Flack Rd.Salt Spring Is., B.C.V8K1N4250 537-9468http://www.janestaffordtextiles.comOpen Monday to Thursday 10-4 andweekends by appointment.A great mail order source for a wide variety ofyarns in a beautiful colour selection.Books, Yarn, Weaving and SpinningEquipment and lots of information.Weaving Retreats throughout the year: checkout our retreat page on the website.
Leola’s StudioThe studio is located behind the Loom atWhippletree Junction.3705 Trans Canada Highway,Duncan, BC.V9L 6E1250 [email protected] will be offered in Textile arts,Weaving, 4&8 Harness, Woven Tapestry,Spinning, Dyeing and Felting.
Textile Sources
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Treenway Silks2060 Miller CourtLakewood, CO, 80215, USAToll free: 1.888.383.7455Email: [email protected]–free 1.888.383.7455 • T: 303.233.SILK(7455)F: 303.223.3411Our office hours are Monday to Thursday, 9amto 4pm (Mountain time).Susan Du Bois and Richard Yabunaka fromLakewood, Colorado are totally committed toTreenway. They will be carrying on with all thesame high quality products from our trustedsuppliers and are looking forward to serving youin an efficient, helpful and friendly manner. Weare very confident Susan and Richard will carryTreenway forward in style. We are dedicated tocontinue working with them for a smoothtransition.
[email protected]><http://www.maiwa.com/>© Maiwa Handprints Ltd6-1666 Johnston Street,Granville Island, Vancouver, BCV6H 3S2
<www.earthues.com>Michele Wipplinger5129 Ballard Ave NWSeattle WA [email protected]@aol.com
The LoomWhippletree Junction3705 Trans Canada HighwayDuncanV9L 6E1250 [email protected]
Ingrid’s Yarn & Needlework133 Craig Street,Duncan, BCV9L 1M8250 [email protected]://www.ingridsyarn.com/
Home Farm ShetlandsFleeces, rovings & batts in beautiful natural coloursfrom my small farm to your spinning wheel.Kathy Millar2881 Mountain Road,Duncan, BCV9L 6N4250 [email protected]
http://www.dharmatrading.com/newsletter/
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Equipment available for Guild members’ use
Ball winderDrum carder- Fine clothDrum carder- Coarse ClothEaselFloor Inkle loom with foot treadles /warping boardLarge Stainless steel Dye PotLouet 40 8-shaft table loomMcMorran yarn balancePickerLouet wool combsTable clothsFirst priority for the use of the Louet table loom will be for study groups andworkshops. Next in line, Guild members for personal use, with a damagedeposit for a period of one month.Damage deposit of $25 for the louet table loom and $10 deposit for all otherequipment. Deposits will be repaid upon return of equipment in clean andgood order.For more information or pickup of equipment please contactValerie Rennie-Bell <[email protected]> 250 748 3756Michele Pace <[email protected]>
Note: From January 10, 2012, The TSWG Equipment will be stored inSt. Peterʼs Church Hall. All items will be catalogued. Equipment needsto be signed out, and deposits need to be made before any piece can beremoved from the Hall.
Member’s Websites
Jennifer Apostoli: Alpaca fleeces etc.: <http://www.pacificsunalpacas.com/>Anne Fulton: Hand knit Lace, Felted clothing and Felting supplies, Classes. <[email protected]>Judy Gorton: Alpacas <www.bellacria.com/>Cynara de Goutiere: <www.cynaradegoutiere.com>Susan Harvey: <http://weeverwoman.blogspot.com/>Alison Irwin: Teaching textiles techniques: <[email protected]>Bonnie Murray: Natural dyes, mordants, embroidery floss, linen thread: <[email protected].>Rosalie Power: Black Welsh Mountain Sheep: <www.gillpowerhobbyfarm.vpweb.caMargie Preninger: <http://klozhaus.blogspot.com/>Margie Preninger: Art Page: <http://surfacedesignvi.org/members/margie-preninger>Dawn Sare: <http://wwwreluctanttraveller.blogspot.com/>
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Administrator: Sandi Doerksen,Two positions vacantTreasurer: Karen Lengyeltoti.Library: Jan Mackinnon-Loop.Card Sender: Sandi Doerksen.Guild Mail: Jan and Karen.Membership list: Hannah MacLeod.Island Shuttle contact: Diane Lee.Newsletter: Cynara de GoutiereArchivist: Toni Gatland.CFFF contacts: Michele Pace and Janette Lorimer, bothare looking for two new coordinators to take over their jobGuild Equipment:Valerie Rennie-Bell.Michele PaceDistaff Day coordinators are Sandy Riecken andBonnie Murray.Jan has Keys to the hall.
Guild meetings are held on the second Tuesday of eachmonth, except during the months of July, August.Note: June and December are Potluck Luncheon meetings held at a member’s house or at St. Peterʼs Church Hall in Duncan.TSWG business year runs from June 1st to May 31st.TSWG meetings are held in St. Peterʼs Church Hallon Church Road in Duncan (off Maple Bay Road).Meetings are held from 10:00 to 2:00.After a short business session, the rest of the time isspent sharing show and tell textiles, and at times we runtextile demonstrations or bring in a speaker.TSWG mailing address is:P.O. Box 676, Duncan, BC V9L 3Y1For additional information contact:Sandi Doerksen,<[email protected]>
Scent-Free EnvironmentJust a gentle reminder that our meetings are scent-free, due tosensitivities and allergies of several members.Hope you understand.
Library news up date
Jan MacKinnon-Loop would like to remind you all that librarymaterials need to be returned in time. Please check yourbookshelves for overdue TSWG-library books, magazines, videosand DVDs, and return them at the next meeting.
TSWG ADMINISTRATIVE WORKING GROUP
