Weavers ply their craft
Members of the Weavers of CHAR-LEE attended the eighth annual Roc Day Celebration on Saturday at the Cape Coral Library meeting room, along with some individuals passing by who were interested in the craft.
The celebration is a tradition that is held worldwide for weavers and spinners on Jan. 7 in honor of St. Distaff day. On that day the spinners and weavers take their looms and wheels out of storage after the holidays and begin their craft once again.
Members of the Weavers of CHAR-LEE did various hands-on weaving and spinning demonstrations in honor of the traditional celebration.
Rose Young, a member of the club said they picked up one member during the celebration Saturday who decided to walk into the meeting room to see what was going on. She explained that the number of members continues to grow, due to the club pushing almost 40 individuals.
Susan Hedge, who sat next to Young at the celebration, was enjoying herself as the two of them bantered back and forth while working with their looms.
“The women are fun,” she said because they spend the afternoon playing. “They help you and encourage you.”
Eula Webb, a member of 14-years, joined in on the light-hearted conversations while she measured her string on a warping board before she transferred it onto her loom to further her project.
She said she enjoys the group because it is all about them getting together and sharing what they are doing with the other members.
Weavers of CHAR-LEE President Brenda Standal brought left over pieces of yarn from her weaving projects to the Roc Celebration, so she could work on a few different hand-weaving projects Saturday.
“When you weave you have ends left over to use,” she explained, which comes in handy while she travels because it’s easy to continue her craft on the road.
She explained that she enjoys hand-weaving because it is very simple. All the craft involves is pieces of yarn and a piece of cardboard, she explained so she can tape the string onto it to keep everything in one place.
“There’s nothing to it” she explained.
She was first introduced to weaving in 2004 after she retired because she wanted to take on something that would keep her busy. After she understood the ins and outs of weaving, she then began to learn how to quilt to further fill her time with something she enjoys to do.
“You got to find something to fill that time with,” she said.
Pat Craven, another member of CHAR-LEE also attended the celebration Saturday at the Cape Coral Library because she enjoys spending time with the other members of the group, along with working on her crafts.
She explained that she enjoys days like Saturday because she forgets about the time when they all are “playing.”
After she retired and moved to her new home on a farm, she began learning how to knit and weave with alpaca fiber about five years ago. Alpaca, which is similar to a small llama in appearance, provides the most variation in color in livestock species. Craven explained that alpaca fiber is like sheep’s wool, but softer than most wool.
She explained that there is a certain satisfaction she gains after she finishes making a piece of clothing to wear from her own animal.
“I love being creative, it makes you feel happy,” Craven said. “There is always a surprise when you’re done.”
The Weavers of CHAR-LEE will also hold a workshop at the Cape Coral Library on Jan. 18, 19 and 20, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Young said the workshop requires registration, but is open to the public. Those who participate need to bring their own loom to the workshop. The shadow weave, a weave structure, will be taught during the workshop.
The group is open to anybody who wants to join, whether they have experience with weaving or not. The meetings are free and open to the public. They are held on the third Tuesday of every month at the Rob & Stucky meeting room in Fort Myers from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
For more information, contact Young at 239-540-5836.