Weaving, knitting, crocheting: intertwining community with fiber – Fiber arts news
Weaving community… it just seemed like a nice thought to us at this time. This is a great reflection on the role that basket weaving has played in Tima Lotah Link’s efforts to preserve her cultural heritage. What seemed particularly moving – preserving her heritage required reaching out to traditional weavers and communities both near and far… and strengthening community as a result! Discovering and celebrating the crafts and traditions that connect us can be so empowering and positive. Weaving community, both literally and figuratively, now that’s something we get excited about!
Another knitting and crochet tradition that inspires: Knitting poppies for Remembrance Day in the UK. We noticed this last year, and it seems that there are many communities participating this year. Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, and our own Veterans Day, share a common origin, in honoring the fallen of WWI, and wars since. Knitting poppies is a long standing tradition in the UK, but the scale has grown larger in the last few years: the Thirsk Yarnbombers used over 450 miles of yarn for the display above! They also received contributions from all over the world. A wonderful way for fiber artists to share their love, honor those who served, and to make our world more intertwined and peaceful!
Wheat Ridge elementary school, in Colorado, provided another example of fiber-arts projects building community and caring. This community project helped remind us that the world is full of wonderful ways we can come together, give comfort, and reach out to our neighbors. In Wheat Ridge, students, staff, and parents knit scarves (beautiful!) and then tied them to trees around town. Each knit piece had a note “I’m not lost. If you’re stuck out in the cold, please take this to keep warm.” And while this community is rather far from Maine, well, the story did indeed make us feel warm. Thank you for sharing your warmth, Wheat Ridge elementary!
