Category Archives: “The Big Book of Weaving”

"The Big Book of Weaving", "war" within, Cranberry Fest, CSM sock-cranking, Eagle River, Lake Country Weavers Guild, Lendrum spinning wheel, needle-felting

Lake Country Weavers

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The Lake Country Weavers had their biennial Sale & Demonstration this past Saturday, October 2nd, held at the UCC Church in Eagle River, WI, during Cranberry Fest weekend.  I managed to snap some photos before the first shuttle bus arrived.  Members had their work for sale and various fiber arts were demonstrated.


Carol Stone, of Presque Isle, WI, weaving on a 4 shaft table loom.




Vicki Reuling, of Three Lakes, WI, demonstrating on a rigid heddle loom.



Navajo weaving demonstration.


Mary Jackl, of Phelps, WI, spent the day spinning.
The church pews were completely covered with Mary Jackl’s rag rugs.
More of Mary Jackl’s rag rugs.

Mary Jackl, What-a-View Farm, Phelps, WI, is a very productive rag rug weaver, having over 300 of her rugs for sale at her home studio/shop.  She also spins beautiful beaded yarns and makes felted hats.

Cassandra Nass preparing for a needle-felting demonstration.

Cassandra and Norm Nass, of Land O’Lakes, WI, raise angora goats.  Cassandra’s specializes in spinning and needle-felting.  Her needle-felted sheep are very popular.



Ellie Lapp, of Land O’Lakes, WI, does beautiful rug-hooking.

Ellie brought a display of her work.



Janice Zindel, Shuttle Works Studio, at the 1908 Gearhart sock machine.


I was demo’ing the sock machine, but was so intent on getting photographs of the other guild members, I never got a photo of my setup.  This is a sock machine demo from last September.  A lot of people did enjoy watching the sock machine and asking questions.  It was a very enjoyable day!  

"Shear Spirit", "The Big Book of Weaving", Joan Tapper, Laila Lundell

Weaving Library Additions

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I’ve long been known to family and friends as a bookoholic, seemingly as necessary to me as oxygen, and this week was no exception. When not busy with looms, teens, and home, I’m found with book(s) in hand.

“The Big Book of Weaving” by Laila Lundell (with Elisabeth Windesjo) arrived this week, the new revised and expanded edition in English. At first glance, the line illustrations of weaving techniques and how-to are excellent, especially so if you are new to Swedish style countermarche or counterbalance style looms, since books in the U.S. are geared towards jack looms. The projects are very nice, Swedish-style weaving. Now, I’m looking forward to reading through the book, and finding new (to me) ways of doing things.

The issue I have with this book is not content or illustrations/photos, but for whatever reason, the publisher chose make the print, not black, but grayed down and quite small. I find it very difficult to read. Book publishers need to remember many weavers are no longer young, wear bifocals, and need clear, black type for the books to be read easily by readers of all ages.
The second book I bought, “Shear Spirit” by Joan Tapper, was for pure pleasure. Ten fiber farms were photographed and written up, as well as the owners and critters. I am having a most enjoyable time reading their stories, as well as perusing the twenty patterns provided. If you enjoy reading about fiber people and farms, critters, natural dyeing, weaving, spinning, and knitting, you will likely enjoy this book.