Finding joy in the fiber arts

by Jaye Knight – 

I remember the day someone referred to me as a fiber artist. Up until then, I always thought of myself as someone that knitted or dabbled in one of the many needle crafts I enjoy.  My mother taught me to knit when I was a young girl and I can’t recall a time I didn’t have some kind of needlework project in progress.  Back in the 70’s I didn’t have much money and I used the same skein of yarn over and over. Create a scarf, unravel it and begin all over again.  It wasn’t the completion of the project more than the joy of the creation.

Spinning yarn always seemed to be a mysterious talent.  I decided to make some healthier lifestyle changes and rewarded myself by buying a spinning wheel. My first attempts at spinning yarn were lumpy and bumpy and over twisted but that’s how most of us begin. Over time I began to create yarn that I was proud to call my homespun. Next came a loom and lots of woven scarves using my homespun yarn. “Did you make that?” is what I usually hear when wearing a scarf or sweater.  More times than not the answer is yes. Much of what I make is gifted to appreciative family and friends.

I discovered the Genesee Valley Handspinners Guild through a friend, joined and love the camaraderie of likeminded fiber artists.  The Finger Lakes

Fiber Festival is one of the high points of the year and gives me an opportunity to stock up on yarns and spinning fiber.  I kiddingly admit that I probably own more fiber than I will ever be able to use in my lifetime. I’ve volunteered at the festival for the past few years and find that greatly rewarding.