It’s been a bit rough here of late but we’re managing some big changes. In the meantime Rob joins us this week to talk about double bit axe heads, what? Yup, we could have entitled this one the axe murder but wool scouts felt a bit more appropriate!
You can listen here: http://hipcast.com/podcast/HQQ07sVs
Hope you are all well and in good spirits.
REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 8, 2017- fiber-trek@squarespace.com
The Wool Scouts Retreat, held deep in the Maine North Woods is about landing. It’s about connecting with place, leaning-in to our craft and finding the deep connection one can have with landscape. Join Mary Jane Mucklestone to explore the traditional mittens of the area, learn how to start flint & steel fires, paddle, and try your hand at fly fishing. Come land for a while in the wilderness, dig your hands in, eat amazing food, talk with friends and lean-in. We’ll be gathering at Bradford Camps, a classic Maine camp, the only structures on Munsungan Lake, surrounded by 3.5 million acres of forest.
Date: August 13-17, 2017
Location: Bradford Camps, Munsungan Lake, Township 8-Range 10, Maine, USA. 50 miles west of Ashland, 70 miles north of Millinocket. Surrounded by 3.5 million acres of forest this is the only structure on the lake. https://www.bradfordcamps.com/ Hosts: Karen & Igor Sikorsky
Price: $1478.00. This includes all meals, lodging, classes, workshops, materials, tax & gratuity. Transportation not included. See access for more information on float plane fly-in opportunities. Additional opportunities: Scenic Flight from Bradford Camps-$50, Fishing Licenses
CANCELLATION POLICY : 50% deposit to secure registration. Final payments are due by June 13th. Cancellations made prior to June 13th, are refundable less a $250 cancellation fee. Cancellations within 60 days of event are non-refundable. There are no exceptions. Fiber Trek & Bradford Camps reserve the right to cancel or reschedule this retreat as a result of unforeseen circumstances. In the event of a cancellation by Fiber Trek or Bradford Camps all fees will be refunded in full.
Coordinator: Sarah Hunt : fibertrek@gmail.com
REGISTRATION: Begins APRIL 8, 2017
To register-email fibertrek@gmail.com. A form will be sent back to download, complete and highlight instructions for payment. All inquiries will be treated on a first come, first serve basis. Should the retreat fill, you will be given the option to keep your name on a waiting list.
Coordinator: Sarah Hunt fibertrek@gmail.com,
Class & Workshops:
Instructor: Mary Jane Mucklestone: Maine & Maritime Mittens – Each participant will receive one, four hour class with Mary Jane focused on Fair Isle knitting. Themes will reflect the Maritime Canada and Maine knitting patterns and traditions.
Per Mary Jane’s website: “Mary Jane travels the world to study traditional knitting techniques and to learn more about the history of the craft. She’s a popular teacher specializing in lively, fun and informative classes. She feels lucky to be invited to teach all over the world, and is eager to share knitting knowledge with her students. She aims to give students the courage to try something new!”
Workshop Topics: More topics will be added per time and interest.
Instructor: Sarah Hunt- Flint & steel fires, Working with rare and primitive breed wool
Sarah Hunt is the host of the Fiber Trek Podcast and has a strong penchant for grey yarns, the toothier the better! She is a Registered Maine Guide and enjoys adventuring in wild places, even her backyard with wool in hand .
Instructor: Jani Estell-Viking Chatelaines
This workshop will provide an opportunity to make a traditional tool used by a variety of historical women. It is used to organize mending tools such as needles, scissors, and a small pouch.
Jani Estell is the wool manager of a wild flock of sheep off the Maine Coast. She is also the miller and owner of Star Croft Fibers which creates magical, Maine yarn from those same sheep. An accomplished knitter and spinner, Jani is interested in traditional knitting and those cultural fiber stories associated with time and place.
TBD: Instructor: Sarah Lake-Indigo Dyeing
Sarah Lake of Upton Yarns is in the process of checking her boat schedule! But we hope she can make it to cook up a dye pot for us.
Instructor: Igor Sikorsky– Into to Fly Casting, Intro to Map & Compass
Igor Sikorsky is co-owner of Bradford Camps. He grew up in the Simsbury, Connecticut area and spent summers at Cobb’s Pierce Pond Camps in western Maine. There began his love of the northern Maine woods. After college he took to the road for a few years in the construction industry, working for Wood Structures in Saco, Maine. During their early years with his wife Karen, they hiked Katahdin, explored the Allagash region, and traveled throughout the woods of Maine exploring and enjoying its wonders.
Accommodations: Bradford Camps-Karen & Igor Sikorsky, owners & operators
Accommodation is shared. Members will be assigned a cabin and parties can be placed together. Time at Bradford will be highlighted by Maine waterfront log cabins, handsome and solid as can be imagined. They are hand hewn log cottages, with lakefront porches, sunset views, and include hot and cold running water as well as a full private bath. Each waterfront cottage is cleaned daily by our staff and the wood stoves are kept warm during colder days. The waterfront log cabin rentals are lit with elegant propane lights; no electricity in the cabins. Our lodge and modern kitchen have electricity, so cameras can be recharged. Lakefront lodging cottages include linen service, towels, and ice from our ice house!
Meals:
The Maine fishing lodge serves delicious breakfasts, hot lunches and dinners. We freshly prepare turkey dinners, prime rib, pork loin, fresh fish, fresh vegetables from our garden, home baked breads, pies and cakes for dessert, and an open menu breakfast. You won’t leave the table hungry! (and if you do, there’s always the cookie jar!) During August our garden provides a good portion of our vegetables. Special dietary needs can usually be accommodated.
Access & Transportation: Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.
Travel by road to the camps includes a vast stretch on working, logging roads. The camp can be accessed by car but it is recommended the vehicle be equipped to manage flat tires, and rough terrain. Note that drivers will be sharing the road with large, 18 wheel logging trucks. Fly-in is highly recommended.
Fly In– The float plane flight to Bradford Camps leaves from outside of Millinocket and can be coordinated with Katahdin Air Service. http://www.katahdinair.com/ Katahdin Air Service can provide pick up from Bangor, the closest airport as well as Presque Isle in northern Maine
Airports: Portland & Bangor
Portland by car to Katahdin Air-3.5 hours
Bangor by car to Katahdin Air-1.5 hours
Fredericton, New Brunswick by car to Kathdin Air 3 hours (plus border crossing)
Car Rental-Bangor & Portland-Note that cars cannot be rented in Canada and cross the border.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
Ai! I forgot to post the latest podcast here! And that probably means I never did show notes. If you’re looking for a specific item or project note, please comment. I hope you’re well and in good spring spirits!
You can listen here: http://hipcast.com/podcast/HMF2G99s
And I apologize in advance for the influx of notifications as I update my media!
Hello! It’s a frigid day here in Maine! Ai! I could have called this place based yarn, but I thought Landing was more interesting. I have a chat about that concept though..placebased yarns and offer a little insight in to my past conservation history!
You can listen here: http://hipcast.com/podcast/HGxZqYv
The Ramble Shawl by Andrea Mowry
The Woolly Thistle – Prize Donation
Midwinter Yarns – Scandanavian Yarns Ullcentrum
In the Foot Steps of Sheep by Debi Zawinski & By Hand Magazine
The Great Remembering by Peter Forbes
Coming to Land in Troubled Times Essays by Peter Forbes, Kathleen Dean Moore & Scott Russell Sanders
1. Bold Coast Retreat- this takes place in Machiasport, Maine. It is pretty downeast past Acadia probably 2.5 hours from bangor airport, or 4 hours from Portland. This primarily focuses on being by the sea, eating well and perhaps some informal workshops. I plan on facilitating some embroidery projects and I think Jodi plans on doing a wet felting project. I provided a link which features some pictures, pricing and dates. There is currently room in both sessions I believe but I know for a fact the second session is open. http://onelupine.com/events/
2. Highlands on the Fly- This takes place just 6 miles from my little cabin in the North Maine Woods. It is approximately 3 hours from Portland up the interstate. Many people work out carpooling and you I might be able to drive together as I will be originating from that area. The best part of this retreat is that the vendor list is fun. I am hoping Jennifer Guyor will be there this year! This is a big retreat compared with the other two. Workshops for this retreat are informal, the focus is more on knitting and enjoying the landscape. New England Outdoor Center is located right on Millinocket Lake with views of Katahdin and on the doorstep of Baxter State Park. Weather can be quite cold, it’s snowed all three years!
Highlands on the Fly 2017-10/26-10/29
Thursday-Sunday: 3 nights lodging in a choice of shared or private room. All meals included from our River Driver’s Restaurant: 3 dinners, 3 breakfasts and 2 lunches as well as assorted snacks. Goodie bags, Friday night social, door prizes, exclusive marketplace and did we mention the cool, crisp, autumn air…fire places, cozy chairs, and good company!
Registration Dates:
1-800-766-7238
Open: NOW
Shared Room: $425.00 pp plus tax
Private Room: $525. pp plus tax
For large groups please contact us early to secure cabin or cabins.
PLEASE CALL FOR DAY USER PRICING PACKAGES-this charge does not include the goody bag which will be an optional purchase at the retreat.
The Fine Print:
$100.00 non refundable deposit to secure registration. Final payments are due by September 20th. After September 20th cancellations are non-refundable unless the space can be filled by another participant.
Vendors:
The vendor list will include a few of last year’s participants as well as a few additional surprises TBD
To learn more about the New England Outdoor Center you can visit us on the web at www.neoc.com
This is a little late to the party here! Somehow in the madness of #yarnlovechallenge, work and nor’easters I missed this platform for a post! Are you well? There is a special guest in this edition. I’m hoping he comes back on! Hope all is well!
Best, Sarah
Listen here: http://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HkYb8mvs
Thank you for tuning in!
Biscotti Sweater Kiyomi Burgin
Storytime Scholar by Lisa Chemery
Cascade Eco Yarn
Peace de Resistance Mitts by Bristol Ivy
The Woolly Thistle – Prize Donation
Midwinter Yarns – Scandanavian Yarns
Mother of Purl Yarn Shop Freeport, Maine
Hello! I am so happy to be back talking to you all about wool. You’ll find a finished item here, hallelujah! There’s quite a bit of acquisitions and discoveries too. Thank you for tuning in and I hope you are all well!
Listen here: http://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H0KHrTPs
Storytime Scholar by Lisa Chemery
Lean In by Wild Lily Artisan Fibers
Seachange by Jennifer Steingass
Mother of Purl Yarn Shop Freeport, Maine
I super late on this post. I’ve been scattered and attempting to settle. You’ve probably already seen this, but I wanted to contain all the media in one place. I hope you are all well and in good woolly spirits!
Sarah
I am not myself these days. I seem to be going every which way both physically and in spirit! New York, northern Maine, southern Maine, schools, festivals, retreats. I feel as thought I am leading a double life. Ai! Probably safe to say, this podcast should be approached with that mind. I share my time spent at Rhinebeck, Highlands on the Fly, a few projects (and I mean a few), some acquisitions, a book review of Drop Dead Easy Knits, and some Shackleton Facts. I will be reporting on my Fleece Wise project in a separate vlog so stay tuned. (audio will be available soon)
Right-O I hope you are all well and in good spirits!
Sarah
The Fibertrek podcast is co-hosting a special series — Fleece-Wise, a deeper exploration of our craft and connection to sheep. This is a four-part series, starting the week of 9/18/16 on the NH Knits Podcast and continuing each week thereafter on the Fibertrek, here on Fibretown and concluding with the Yarns at Yin Hoo podcast just before Rhinebeck.
Here is installment II of the Fleece-Wise Series:
We hope to purchase a fleece together at Rhinebeck, using information we have gleaned along the way. We plan to include our viewers/listeners in that process as well!
From Sarapomegranate of Yarns at Yin Hoo : “If you have felt, as I did, that the fleece tent at a fiber festival is overwhelming and intimidating, if you’ve been considering a fleece purchase, if you have unprocessed fleece languishing in storage, if you’re experienced in fleece processing — you are invited to participate in the discussion threads on Ravelry, ask questions and share ideas. Podcast hosts will be facilitating discussion threads and awarding prizes for engaging in discussion.”
The podcasters involved in Fleece-Wise, nhkclaire, Swenstea, and Sarapomegranate have unique experiences, practical information, suggestions and stories to share, as well as interviews with fleece-producers. We hope that there will be something for everyone in this series!
I am still working audio and itunes but in the meantime you can find the latest podcast on YoutTube. I make no mention of recent conversations on sweaters (no show notes boo & hiss) but I will return to this topic soon. I also have a wool heroes and heroines segment to edit. Right..I hope this finds you all well and in good spirits.
Fleece Wise:
he Fibertrek podcast is co-hosting a special series — Fleece-Wise, a deeper exploration of our craft and connection to sheep.
Please post any and all questions (these will by addressed in the series if possible), comments and FOs here. All posts will be eligible for prizes.
This is a four-part series, starting the week of 9/18/16 on the NH Knits Podcast and continuing each week thereafter on the Fibertrek, here on Fibretown and concluding with the Yarns at Yin Hoo podcast just before Rhinebeck.
We hope to purchase a fleece together at Rhinebeck, using information we have gleaned along the way. We plan to include our viewers/listeners in that process as well!
From sarapomegranate : “If you have felt, as I did, that the fleece tent at a fiber festival is overwhelming and intimidating, if you’ve been considering a fleece purchase, if you have unprocessed fleece languishing in storage, if you’re experienced in fleece processing — you are invited to participate in the discussion threads, ask questions and share ideas. Podcast hosts will be facilitating discussion threads and awarding prizes for engaging in discussion.”
The podcasters involved in Fleece-Wise, nhkclaire, Swenstea, and Sarapomegranate have unique experiences, practical information, suggestions and stories to share, as well as interviews with fleece-producers. We hope that there will be something for everyone in this series!
Love and Lemons by Melanie Berg
Crofthoose Hat by Ella Gordon
Nash Island Sweater by Mary Jane Mucklestone
You can find my sewing vlog here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYi3ohBFeXKgBqrh2JB9REA
