It’s Time for Fiber Projects!

Winter has established itself. The holidays are a warm memory and things on the farm have slowed down.

That means it is time to get cozy with fiber projects!

It is the 30th anniversary of White Violet Center for Eco-Justice this year so it’s a good time for looking back to fiber projects from our past and how different artists have shared their gifts with us in so many splendid ways.

Processing Time

But you don’t get any fiber art without processing raw fiber, so January is also a time for me to reflect and be extremely grateful for our volunteer skirters!

After shearing in the spring, we have bags upon bags of fiber stored away in the fiber room, patiently waiting for winter when they can get the attention they need. The fiber gets sorted into “firsts” (for yarn), “seconds” (for felting and rug yarn) and “thirds (for bird nesters, stuffing and compost).

This process, called skirting, can be an overwhelming task without help. We have had some wonderful volunteers throughout the years, but there is one rock star volunteer, Kathy Stephens, who stands out.

She has volunteered for White Violet for more than a decade! Almost every year, Kathy comes all the way from California for a week to skirt fiber. It is always a pleasure to see her and catch up and she is a skirting machine!

She also gifted us a set of deluxe fiber measuring sticks, crafted by her son, that make skirting much easier. I can’t wait until this fall when she’ll come see us again.

Skirting on a Weekly Basis

To get through all of our fleeces, we used to throw an annual week-long skirting party and recruited volunteers to come in for shifts to process a bunch of fiber all at once. Those parties were fun, but intense! So now, Sarah Knoblock, the Sisters of Providence Volunteer Coordinator, organizes a wintertime weekly skirting circle.

This year, it is on Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. We sit around the skirting table and get to know one another while processing fiber. To see an alpaca fleece laid out on the skirting table is to see an irresistible invitation to touch the softest thing ever and smell that pleasant barnyard smell.

You can get lost in the fiber and with your thoughts. I love using this time to let my thoughts wander and percolate over schemes for the coming year. It’s very comforting, and as the kids say, “chill.” By spring, the fiber is ready to be turned into yarn, felted products and other fiber art.

The Blessing of Fiber Artists

White Violet has been blessed by some amazing fiber artists throughout the past 30 years; volunteers who knit, crochet and felt our fiber into beautiful items, some of which have been award-winning at Alpaca shows!

Sister Ruth Johnson, SP, has been wowing us with her needle felting and weaving skills since the inception of White Violet Center. From simple alpaca ornaments, to detailed felted animal portraits, to stunning fully felted nativity scenes, her art and interests continue to evolve.  I feel lucky to get to see her working on her art almost every morning at the center.

Sister Maureen Freeman, former director of White Violet Center, was known for her fine water felted hats. I was an intern while she was still here, and was fortunate enough to learn how to make one. Although we don’t sell felted hats anymore, they live on in my heart.

Sister Jean Fuqua, SP, former associate director and current volunteer, weaves the most beautiful scarves. Her combinations of patterns and color are creative, stylish, elegant and are available at the Farm Store and Linden Leaf. I look forward to when she drops by, carrying her newest creations.

I hope this winter you are able to tuck into a hobby that brings you peace, that gives your mind and heart a place to be restful and recharge your battery as we all gear up for another year.

And if you want company, and a laid-back activity, we will be in the skirting room on Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. Just send Sarah an email at volunteer@spsmw.org and she can set up up!