What better way to keep warm than by wearing a natural fiber hat or scarf? What more rewarding way to spend a winter day than to make your own cap or mittens? If that sounds cozy to you, consider joining the North House Folk School in Grand Marais for its first ever, five-day Northern
Fibers Retreat to celebrate all manner of fiber craft over President’s Day weekend, Feb. 17-21.
On the schedule are 15 courses including nälbinding hats, bead embroidery, woolbraided rugs, weaving, felting and a variety of knitting courses. A twohour family course, Fibers for Kids, invites kids ages 7 and up (plus an adult) to spend Saturday morning working on five fibers projects with members of Cook County’s Northwoods Fiber Guild. They’ll weave mug rugs and bookmarks on looms, create dream gatherers and explore kumihimo, the craft of decorative braiding. Cost is $15 per adult-child pair. Registration is required for all courses.
Community gatherings are also on the schedule, so if a course doesn’t fit into your weekend feel free to visit campus on Friday or Saturday for Open Studio or a Show and Share session. Friday, Feb. 18 from 7-9 p.m., bring your latest project to campus for an evening of camaraderie and learning at Open Studio. North House instructors Larry Schmitt and Elise Kyllo will set up interactive demonstrations, and a fire will be blazing in the masonry heater. Come and craft or just be curious.
Saturday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. features a Show and Share hosted by the Northwoods Fiber Guild. Everyone is invited to bring a fiber project to share with the group, and desserts, coffee and tea will fuel the conversation. These gatherings are free and open to the public.
Finally, Lunch and Learn sessions will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at noon. Each session will feature a speaker and lunch catered by a local restaurant. Friday’s topic is Doubleweave Technique with Marie Westerman and a lunch made by the Crooked Spoon Café; Saturday features Textiles and Travels with Judie Johnson catered by Chez Jude; and Sunday’s topic is Northern Knitting Traditions with Allen Holzhueter and Kate Hartman, with lunch catered by Blue Water. Registration is required for Lunch and Learns and cost is $12 per person.
Call (218) 387-9762 to register or for more information.
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