The Theme for 2024 is Weaving
GUILD PROGRAMME
January 20th Social Day to recover from the excesses of Christmas and New Year
February 10th Loom Speed Dating
March 9th Dyeing Day
April 13th Anne Jackson : The Witchcraft Series 11:00am
www.annejackson.co.uk
May 11th Amanda Hannaford :
Bringing out the best from your coloured skeins
June 8th Social Day
July 13th Social Day
August 11th No Meeting.
On Sunday 11th August - Guild Picnic at Rampisham Hill Mill
September 14th Frank Herring. Wheel MOT & Warping A Loom - Demystified.
October 12th Skills Evaluation Day
November 9th AGM & Member Sale Day
December 14th Shared Xmas Lunch
February 10th Loom Speed Dating
March 9th Dyeing Day
April 13th Anne Jackson : The Witchcraft Series 11:00am
www.annejackson.co.uk
May 11th Amanda Hannaford :
Bringing out the best from your coloured skeins
June 8th Social Day
July 13th Social Day
August 11th No Meeting.
On Sunday 11th August - Guild Picnic at Rampisham Hill Mill
September 14th Frank Herring. Wheel MOT & Warping A Loom - Demystified.
October 12th Skills Evaluation Day
November 9th AGM & Member Sale Day
December 14th Shared Xmas Lunch
SHETLAND CHALLENGE 2024
This year's Shetland Challenge is for a triangular lace Hap, knitted in a single colour to a traditional pattern
in your own handspun Shetland wool.
The Challenge will be judged during the Skills Evaluation Day in October.
in your own handspun Shetland wool.
The Challenge will be judged during the Skills Evaluation Day in October.
"Hap" means "to wrap, cuddle or keep warm!"
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For those who are new to Haps, this was the name given to the traditional knitted shawl, worn on a daily basis by Shetland working women as protection against the harsh climate, "Hap" being the dialect word meaning to wrap, cover or keep warm.
Working haps were knitted from the coarser Shetland wool, with the various natural colours being used to add interest. |
Example of a traditional, square working Hap.
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They followed a basic design of a central garter square surrounded by four mitred side panels in an Old Shale style pattern, finished with a lace edging. The square was then folded into a triangle which was wrapped and tied around the body.
The finest wool was used for the stunning Shetland lace shawls, which had been made so popular by Queen Victoria and which had had their commercial introduction at the Great Exhibition of 1851 . These followed the same construction as haps but were knitted in 1 ply or cobweb lace on long, fine needles or "wires", and in intricate lace patterns throughout.
The finest wool was used for the stunning Shetland lace shawls, which had been made so popular by Queen Victoria and which had had their commercial introduction at the Great Exhibition of 1851 . These followed the same construction as haps but were knitted in 1 ply or cobweb lace on long, fine needles or "wires", and in intricate lace patterns throughout.
The 2024 Shetland Challenge Pattern
TOUR DE FLEECE
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This project will run throughout the year
and will focus on the many different types of fleece from around the UK. It will analyse their various characteristics, and their most appropriate methods of fibre preparation, processing and finishing. The aim is to produce a range of various fibre samples and completed items, highlighting the strengths and characteristics of each type of fleece, together with their most appropriate usage. |
EXTERNAL EVENTS
Details of all the following events will be updated on an ongoing basis.
Wonderwool, Royal Welsh Showground Sunday 28th April
The annual Wonderwool exhibition will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April. Full details of Wonderwool 2024 can be found here.
We are organising a coach trip to the exhibition on Sunday 28 April, the cost of which will be £55, including entry to the exhibition. Places are limited to 50.
There will be four collection points as follows:
0630 BOVEY TRACEY Station Road Car Park
0650 EXETER Sowton Park & Ride, near Junction 30 M5
0710 TIVERTON Travelodge Junction 27 M5
0730 TAUNTON Blackbrook Park Avenue, near Junction 25
The coach will depart the Exhibition at 1600 and will return you to your collection point.
If you would like to attend please contact the Secretary to reserve your place and for details of the account to which your BACS payment should be made. Please would you ensure that you include your preferred collection point in your email.
The annual Wonderwool exhibition will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April. Full details of Wonderwool 2024 can be found here.
We are organising a coach trip to the exhibition on Sunday 28 April, the cost of which will be £55, including entry to the exhibition. Places are limited to 50.
There will be four collection points as follows:
0630 BOVEY TRACEY Station Road Car Park
0650 EXETER Sowton Park & Ride, near Junction 30 M5
0710 TIVERTON Travelodge Junction 27 M5
0730 TAUNTON Blackbrook Park Avenue, near Junction 25
The coach will depart the Exhibition at 1600 and will return you to your collection point.
If you would like to attend please contact the Secretary to reserve your place and for details of the account to which your BACS payment should be made. Please would you ensure that you include your preferred collection point in your email.
RHS Rosemoor Torrington The Great Hobbies Weekend Saturday 4th - Sunday 5th May
We will be exhibiting, and volunteers will be required to run demonstations and a workshop.
We will be exhibiting, and volunteers will be required to run demonstations and a workshop.
Devon County Show Thursday 16th - Saturday 18 May
The Great British Fibre Festival, Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme Saturday June 1st & Sunday June 2nd
A celebration of British wool production and the tapestry of crafts, fibre creatives and makers that contribute to its rich history. Further info on their website
A celebration of British wool production and the tapestry of crafts, fibre creatives and makers that contribute to its rich history. Further info on their website
AGWSD AGM , London Saturday 8 June
The next AGM of the AGWSD will be held on Saturday 8 June 2024 at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL.
The AGWSD letter giving notice of the event is here
The document containing forms for nominations, propositions and points for discussion is here.
The deadline for returning the forms is 10 February 2024.
The next AGM of the AGWSD will be held on Saturday 8 June 2024 at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL.
The AGWSD letter giving notice of the event is here
The document containing forms for nominations, propositions and points for discussion is here.
The deadline for returning the forms is 10 February 2024.
John Arbon Mill Open Weekend South Molton Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th June.
Full details of this extremely popular event are here.
Their Virtual Mill Weekend will follow on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July. Full details are here.
Full details of this extremely popular event are here.
Their Virtual Mill Weekend will follow on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July. Full details are here.
2024 AGWSD Conference "The Riches Of Wool" Friday 12th - Sunday 14th July
The brochure for the Conference can be downloaded here
The application process is now underway and the closing date for applications is 31 January 2024. The Registration Form pdf. can be downloaded here.
The cost of the event is £250 for the residential package and £145 for the non residential package.
Accompanying guests, space permitting, are £175 per guest.
All the above information is also available on the AGWSD website
The brochure for the Conference can be downloaded here
The application process is now underway and the closing date for applications is 31 January 2024. The Registration Form pdf. can be downloaded here.
The cost of the event is £250 for the residential package and £145 for the non residential package.
Accompanying guests, space permitting, are £175 per guest.
All the above information is also available on the AGWSD website
The Okehampton Wool Gathering Saturday 28 September
This year's Okehampton Wool Gathering will be held at Lakeside, Roadford Lake, Broadwoodwidger, Lifton which offers more space than last year's event at Meldon. It has easy access, ample parking, a great on-site cafe and a beautiful location for all to enjoy.
Details will follow throughout the year, and further information can be followed via the group's facebook link
This year's Okehampton Wool Gathering will be held at Lakeside, Roadford Lake, Broadwoodwidger, Lifton which offers more space than last year's event at Meldon. It has easy access, ample parking, a great on-site cafe and a beautiful location for all to enjoy.
Details will follow throughout the year, and further information can be followed via the group's facebook link
AGWSD Exhibition Hay Castle, Hay On Wye Monday 14th - Sunday 27th October
This year's theme is Borders, Battlefields and Books.
All information released to date, including details of how to submit an exhibit are here.
This year's theme is Borders, Battlefields and Books.
All information released to date, including details of how to submit an exhibit are here.
Stitch Fest South West Newton Abbot Racecourse Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd November
NEARLY WILD WEAVING
Connecting tapestry weaving, weavers and nature
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Nearly Wild Weaving is run by Irene Evison and Anna Wetherell who are passionate about tapestry weaving, nature and combining the two in much of what they create.
They are both members of their local Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers – Irene in the Highlands and Anna in Lancs & Lakes - and are involved in a range of projects with the aim of connecting tapestry weaving, weavers and nature. They are planning two very exciting activities this year, places on which are limited. The first activity is a retreat of song and weave in the Scottish Highlands in April. The second is overseas to explore the weaving and textile heritage, culture and practices of communities in the Humla valley in the Nepal Himalaya in October. Full details of both trips are available via the links below. |
Seinn na Talmhainn, Fighe nan Sgeul
Singing the Land, Weaving the Stories
A retreat of weave and song
in the Scottish Highlands
8th to 12th April 2024
Singing the Land, Weaving the Stories
A retreat of weave and song
in the Scottish Highlands
8th to 12th April 2024
Sacred Fibres
Textiles of the Hidden High Himalaya
An immersive journey into the textiles
of the mountain communities
of the Humla area
of northwestern Nepal
October 2024
Textiles of the Hidden High Himalaya
An immersive journey into the textiles
of the mountain communities
of the Humla area
of northwestern Nepal
October 2024