Sharing Table Report
August 9, 2008
There was something for everyone today. Items on display ranged from
knitting to loom weaving, tapestry and “scrumble” crochet!
Margaret P C has woven some wonderfully soft cot blankets in tender
pastels – pinks – aqua – yellows – mauves! Unfortunately the pictures
don’t do justice to the real colours. Isn’t that always the way.
Margaret PC's Cot Blanket (model Giuliana Bond)
Gail Campbell displayed a long scarf in a dusky pink embellished with
vertical lines of “feathers” yarn. A difficult colour to describe,
but think ” Strawberries Romanov” and you just about have it.
Gail Campbell's Strawberry Feather Scarf (model Giuliana Bond)
Sue Greig showed a knitted scarf worked in a lacy rib stitch. The
colours were most attractive ranging from rust to red with occasional
flashes of blue. Handspun from Merino hand dyed tops and plied with a
plain colour.
A warm addition to someone’s wardrobe while the cool weather lasts.
Sue also displayed a knitted shawl worked in mixed fibres. She
achieved a lovely effects from the mixture of smooth and shaggy
yarns. Triangular in shape and knitted from the top down.
A lovely garment Sue.
Sue Greig's knitted Shawl
Florinda da Cruz has been “playing” with scrumble crochet again!
Today she contributed a wonderful tea cosy. Dark blue background and
reddish pink accents on it. Destined for the Claremont market if not
sold before it gets there. I saw a few members eyeing it before it
was packed up.
Anne Williams showed a miniature basket “twined” entirely from fresh
seaweed. Intriguing and very attractive. It looked so fragile we
didn’t like to handle it.
Finally we had some of the products of the Tapestry Workshop on display.
How can I do them justice with just a few words. Sue Hunt’s Italian
scene which I described last month was brought back again and Connie
displayed her tapestry full of symbolism of a carefree childhood on a
farm. Her little tapestry showing a typical 40′s and 50′s clothes
line with the clothes flapping on it must have brought back memories
for a lot of us. Thank you for sharing.
Sue Hunt's Italian Scene
Connie Ward's Clothes Line
Sharing Table Report, June 14
Once again we enjoyed a colourful display.
Gail Campbell’s showed her scarves destined to be exhibited soon.
A medley of soft turquoise. We wish you luck with the exhibition. Gail.
Rosemary Skinner displayed some very attractive braids. We always
look forward to these Rosemary, but what about the rest of the
Kumihimo braiders!
Margaret PC showed two pairs of socks. One pair dyed with sour sobs
and over dyed with prickly pear, heels and toes of this pair dyed
with cochineal.
The other pair dyed with jelly – passion fruit and wild berry – makes
one feel like asking for the ice cream! Lovely Margaret and we all
loved your boxful of baby shoes too.
Daphne Rowett has been busy again with the baby jackets. She has
perfected the pattern and displayed four jackets. Two in different
shades of blue and one each in pink and white. She has used different
gauge needles and has obtained different sizes
Lastly I must mention the beautiful shawl which I displayed. Not made
by me, but by a friend who makes these and sells them to give the
full proceeds to charity. They are truly a labour of love. Comprised
of hundreds of little pinwheels which she crochets together.
by Giuliana Bond
The Sharing Table, February 9, 2008
There was quite a display today despite it being the first meeting of
the year and what is more to the point, after the scorching weather
we have had this holiday. It is a good indication that we textile
enthusiasts can’t keep away from fibre even when the temperature
soars.
Merrill Williams
The first item that caught my eye was Merrill’s beautiful afghan
which she has crocheted in white and several shades of pink. The
squares were crocheted together in a way that made the join a very
pleasing feature. Some of the squares displayed pink roses and there
were just enough of these squares with “raised” roses to make the the
whole afghan look like a delicate spring scene. Congratulations
Merrill and be aware that I’ll be asking you to teach me that
ingenuous method of joining squares!
Anne Miller
Anne too has been busy; she displayed two needlepoint book covers
worked in very attractive tonings – the two together made me think of
Lavender fields and soft blue skies. Both covers were mounted on
books so that we could fully appreciate their impact. Great idea for
presents Anne! Also by Anne were two scarves knitted in fine
handspun. Both were in the mobius design, one very bright red which I
found most attractive and the other in very subtle yellowy green
shades which was knitted from fibre which Anne dyed at the January
workshop. Both really lovely Anne.
Anne Bancroft
Anne’s exhibit puzzled me until I “unwound” it. Great idea Anne, and
a very intriguing design. I like the contrast of the heavy commercial
yarn and the cobwebby handspun. A very creative way to use up your
“stash” Anne.
Sue Greig
Sue showed us a handwoven scarf in mostly tabby weave, in which she
had used Noro Yarn for the warp and a plain black for the weft. The
Noro colours with their silky content just glowed. What a great idea
Sue. I guess a few of us will copy this idea and make warm presents
for sending overseas next Christmas. Thanks for the tip.
Connie Ward
Connie has been on holiday and brought back some lovely samples of
double Ikat from Bali. I’m picturing weaving on a backstrap loom -
you sit there my girl until you’ve woven another half metre!! You’d
have to justify getting in and out of the backstrap to get yourself a
drink of water! Loved the photos too, Connie.
Giuliana Bond Yes that’s me. Just a small display of scarves knitted in synthetic
yarn that had been discarded by my Craft Group. Knitted these candy
coloured beauties on a small “Knitting Frame”. You will hear more of
this later.
Shirley Treasure our Vice President and web page keeper had a display
on a separate table showing her glamorous shawls, one of which was
finished with emu feather fringe. Very impressive Shirley – I like!!
NOVEMBER 10th, 2007
Once again there was an abundance of woven, knitted and felted items
exhibited at our Saturday meeting. Once again it is impossible to
report in detail as to do so would fill more than the allocated space
in the Newsletter..
Items ranged from felted hats, to knitted Christmas stockings; from
small wall decorations to a large wall hanging woven in Dukagang, and
all the scarves and shawls in between.
Weaving was well represented and the total display was very colourful.
Congratulations to all who make the effort to bring in their work -
we really appreciate your efforts.
OCTOBER 13, 2007
Today’s Sharing Table was absolutely overwhelming.
All the Royal Show exhibits were there, plus a whole lot more, and
the display overflowed to another table. Congratulations everybody!
Having said that, and having admired the quality, quantity and the
variety, I am opting out of writing up every individual exhibit.
I shall rely on the photos that Ruth took and hope that you enjoy
those both in our Yarnspinner and also on the web page where I feel
certain they will end up.
Saturday 8 September 2007
As I drove to Craft House today with my little bundle of display
items, I thought that most likely there wouldn’t be anything there
since we have such a magnificent display of members’ work at Atwell
House Gallery. I wasn’t quite right, there were some items the but
not the same abundance as on the last two occasions.
I will mention my own woven shawl first because it has the
distinction of having missed the exhibition through my own
oversight. Woven in tabby weave and in larger than usual
dimensions. It was woven on a hand dyed warp from Fibreworks in
shades of greens through to almost black. The weft a boucle, also
hand dyed and from the same supplier is in shades of buey greens,
pinky mauves, through to almost a raspberry colour in places. The
two yarns worked well together and gave the shawl a sumptuous look.
Both yarns were purchased at the Guild Yarn shop. Thank you Guild
Yarn buyers!
Daphne showed off her “surprise Jacket” from Elizabeth
Zimmerman’s pattern. The jacket is knitted all in one piece and
because Daphne used handspun yarn in a variety of autumn colours it
has a warm striped effect. Almost a Chanel style with a
difference. Very stylish and I’m guessing very comfortable to wear.
I’m putting that on my “to do” list Daphne.
Margaret PC displayed a very nice pair of “gentlemen’s” socks.
Lovely dark blue yarn with tiny highlights of other colours. Most
unusual. Margaret said that she followed the rhyming couplet pattern
printed in last year’s Yarn Spinner. Nice socks Margaret and full
marks for perseverance!
Finally I will go back to my other two offerings. There was a man’s
scarf knitted in a narrow mock cable. Made from Handspun Moorit
fleece which Sue Mercer and I bought from Ellie Eaton at a Spin In at
Craft House quite a few years ago, and which we shared. I’m ashamed
to admit that all I have spun went into that rather small scarf!
I also displayed three skeins of handspun yarn which I dyed with
natural dyes. One skein is a soft “blush”, doesn’t quite make
it to pink, and was dyed with beetroot tops. The next skein is a
very attractive shade of mossy green and was dyed with a dye made
from chopped up twigs and needles of juniper. The third skein is a
bright – really in your face – yellow which I obtained from wattle
blossom. All were mordanted with Alum. I did this vegetable dyeing
when I was participating in an activity being run by the On Line
Guild to which I belong.
July ’07
Two beautiful rugs stole the show this month.
One crocheted in Granny squares in handspun and hand dyed yarns. Made by Anne Williams, who once again rescued handspun that was going to be abandoned and put it to excellent use. The centre of each square stood out as a bright and cheery spring flower. The borders of natural Moorit were just right to enclose the squares; warm enough to
unite the design without grabbing the attention from the spring like quality of the granny squares.
The other rug, made by Florinda was of a stunning design in reds and natural brown wool. All handspun and hand knitted. Florinda I can’t do it justice in words. Readers you must all visit the new website and see this rug in its dramatic colours.
Next on the list is Sue Greig’s woven shawl – woven in a V shape on the loom and in delicate creams and aqua blue colours. This garment would look smart worn with a dark pair of slacks, and brightly coloured shirt. We’ll look forward to seeing you model it Sue!
My sister Lina Challis was visiting from Augusta and so we displayed her contribution to the “Blankets of Love”. A beautiful little quilt appliquèd in hearts and animal motifs.
Beautifully executed and the colours were lovely Lina.
Please contact Giuliana at giulianabond@iinet.net.au if you have work that is of interest.
