Braiding Workshop Oct 2024

Karen Buchananevent reports, weaving reports0 Comments

Saturday 12th October saw the Guild meeting at Strathpeffer Community Centre during which an intrepid group of seven braved the mind-swirling, eye-boggling, number-crunching world of braid weaving under the masterful guiding hand and brain of Alison Roddam. Alison began by demonstrating on a number of pre-warped looms with works in progress, to take us steadily through the pattern pick-up aspects of the process, and gave us all chance to try various braid patterns and ‘get our hands in’ with practice before embarking on our own projects.

Following this, we selected our own warp and weft yarns from the great selection Alison had brought along, and spent the remaining time before lunch warping our own looms – inkle, inklets and rigid heddles.  Warping is usually a bit of a drag, but the size of the braid samples meant it was relatively swift and straightforward, and most of us didn’t need much more than a few minutes to touch base with others, pay our membership fees (!), and grab a quick bite and breath of fresh air before we were back and keen to begin our own patterns.

Having been given copies of a selection of Baltic braids by Alison, we were able to choose and copy out our own versions onto the squared paper.  Getting our heads around dots and colours was the key to success! 

After this we all got into our strides, though not always without hiccoughs along the way.  Alison was on hand to guide and advise us throughout and while we varied in speed of working we all left with something established on our looms, a better understanding of the process and an enthusiasm to continue.

Report by Bex Lockyer

WIG Weaving Project

Karen Buchananmember's projects, weaving reports

Weavers Interest Group Project

Any guild interest group weavers are invited to make a small woven piece of a chosen weave structure. This is also open to all Guild members who may be interested in contributing, as not all have chosen to join in the Weaving Interest Group.

The pieces will be used as a loan collection for Highland Guild events and displays, but eventually returned to each maker. This is an ongoing project over time to ensure a changing collection of pieces for displays which highlight different types of weaving.

The idea is that we each decide on a weave structure or type of loom we would like to try out. It does not matter if two or more weavers decide to try out the same weave structure or type of weaving, as each weaver will  inevitably choose different colours or yarn types. This project is open ended with no time deadline!  All contributions will be welcomed, whatever the level of weaving experience .

Woven items can be roughly the following sizes to take account of different types of weaving. The idea is that small samples are more achievable.

1 by 10 inches 

2 by 6 inches 

4 by 6 inches 

6 by 8 inches

8 by 10 inches 

10 by 12 inches 

12 by 14 inches

Different sizing allows for the use of a range of  types of loom or weaving eg tapestry, rigid heddle, 4/8 shaft looms, peg looms, inkle looms, band looms etc.

If anyone wants to try out circular weaving, small pin frames, 3D or basket weaving etc., that is also a possibility.

SOME SUGGESTED WSEAVE STRUCTURES INCLUDE :-

Inkle weave {with or without pick up}

Band weave {with or without pick up}

Tapestry  {many different techniques to try}

Tabby on rigid heddle 

Dog tooth on rigid heddle

Log cabin on rigid heddle 

Peg loom weave

Twill { 1/4}] 1/3}]2/2} many varieties here on 4 or 8 shaft looms

Summer and winter {4/8 shaft looms}

Huck {4/8 shaft}

Monks belt [4/8 shaft }

Overshot {4/8 shaft}

Crackle {4/8}

Leno {4/8 or on rigid heddle}

Double weave {4\8 or on rigid heddle if have second heddle or tie ups}

Point twill {4/8 shaft}

Krokbragd{3shaft}

Rya {4/8 shaft loom or rigid heddle}

** Any colours  and any choice of yarns , eg wool, cotton, linen, nettle, bamboo can be used .

A written label to attach to each piece of weaving is being designed and can either be downloaded from the guild website or collected at guild meetings . This will ensure that anyone looking at the woven sample pieces can immediately see:

  • the name of the weave structure 
  • the yarns used 
  • the weaver’s name
  • the type of loom it was woven on
  • any other relevant information 

This helps to inform others and encourages discussion. It also means that items can be easily returned to the original maker!

Happy Weaving !

Strathnairn Community Woodland Gala 1 Sept 2024

Karen Buchananevent reports, Reports, weaving reports

A most enjoyable day.  The sun shone, though it was bit chilly in the woods, and there was a nice friendly atmosphere with families out to enjoy the woodland and the activities that had been laid on.  We were first asked to participate in this event last year when it was held at the end of May, and I had agreed to do it, then couldn’t as the date was changed.  Because it was a woodland event I had suggested weaving with natural materials, so thought I’d better offer that this year as well.  I spent a good bit of the previous day setting up fish shapes and circles in willow for people to weave into and take away – several people looked at these and thought it was a good idea, but no-one actually had a go!  However, several people tried weaving on my sampleit loom, and several children made bracelets using my weaving sticks – at one point I had three in a row, and one boy came back to make another.  The other activities included music, story telling and wood working, and tea and cakes were provided.  I’ll do it again if asked, but next time I’ll just take the loom and the weaving sticks!

Stephanie Hoyle

Guild Open Day 14 Sept 2024

Karen Buchananevent reports, Reports, spinning reports

This was held at Glachbeg Croft Centre as Strathpeffer Community Centre was unavailable, and it proved a lovely venue for an Open Day.  The building is full of natural light and with the tables moved to the side there was ample room for us to sit and spin.  We were very well looked after.  Tea, coffee and some very nice cakes were provided for us, and additional parking had been arranged on Forestry Commission land over the road.  There were 18 of us, including two new members who were just getting to grips with spinning.  Michelle was spinning flax on a drop spindle, Hilma was creating rolags on a blending board, and Sheila had a whole box full of beautiful white combed fleece nests.  She happened to mention that she’d washed a number of fleeces, so at the end of the afternoon several people followed her home to buy them!

Stephanie Hoyle

Tapestry Weaving Workshop 22 September

Karen Buchananevent reports, Reports, weaving reports

Our tutor was tapestry weaver Alastair Duncan (https://alastair-duncan.com/tapestry-weaving), and our theme, reflecting the date, was the autumn equinox.  Alastair started off with a power point and talk about his journey as a tapestry weaver, and his approach to design.  In tapestry weaving light, texture and yarns all work together, so choice of materials is crucial and may be influenced by where the finished work is to be hung.  Alastair doesn’t usually work with a cartoon, preferring to design as he weaves.  Recently he has been working on interactive pieces where the viewer is encouraged to touch elements in the weaving to hear sounds.  He used to draw his designs, now he is sometimes making 3D models.  He brought a range of samples of his work for us to look at, and a wide selection of yarns for us to use on the day.

Before we started work Alastair checked our looms and warps, advising individuals on suitable warp yarn and on how to achieve a good warp tension.  He then spent time with each individual, looking at their design ideas and making suggestions for tackling them.  When things came up which were relevant to the whole group, such as how to get an even weft tension, he gathered us together and demonstrated.  I liked his gentle approach and the way he gave help when and where needed.  I don’t think any of us wove very much, but I didn’t expect to, and I do feel inspired to keep working on what I started!  A very enjoyable and worthwhile day.

Stephanie Hoyle

Items for Sale

Karen Buchananfor sale


The following spinning and weaving items are being sold privately. Anyone interested should contact Dominic Harman (dominicharman@outlook.com).

Prices are indicative, the seller is happy to look at offers.

Download List of Sale itemsDownload

Louët Drop In

Karen Buchananevent reports

On 20th May Pam and Dave dropped in to see us at Strathpeffer on their current UK and Ireland tour. Hailing from Canada they had worked for Louët North American distribution arm but are currently based in Holland knocking the European end into shape.

A dozen members looked in with assorted wheels and looms, all of which Dave gave a good look at and made minor repairs and adjustments at no cost. We got to try out their new e-spinner which is at advanced prototype stage and to offer feedback. Those who have other e-spinners were impressed by its smooth running. Watch this space!

Regarding Louët distribution in Scotland there is now only Jaine Mahon at Skye Silks (who many will remember from a lockdown zoom workshop) – https://www.jainemahon.co.uk . Do contact her for supplies or go direct to Louët for customer service.

Thank you to those who came – especially to an amazing turnout from the NORTH!


Last Minute News – we have been given two ‘lisa’ small frame looms by Pam and David. These will be raffled at the June meeting so please bring extra pennies!

Open Day at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre

Karen Buchananevent reports

Though I always enjoy our regular meetings at Strathpeffer, I found I was really looking forward to going somewhere new for our May Guild day.  I was not disappointed!  We were allocated a large room with ample space for twenty plus of us with our wheels and looms, and for members of the public visiting the centre to look at our display and talk to us about our crafts.  The staff were very welcoming and helpful, the sun shone, and, another big plus, there was a great café!

The reason behind holding an occasional open day away from our usual venue was to make the journey easier for those who live further away, so it was good to see people from the south and west who haven’t been to a Guild meeting for a while.  Lydia, Sadie and Linda were all tapestry weaving, Sue had brought a rigid heddle loom as well as her wheel, everyone else was spinning.  A lovely relaxed day!

Report by Stephanie Hoyle

April Open Day at Strathpeffer

Karen Buchananevent reports

April Open Day at Strathpeffer

About 20 people enjoyed the April Open Day, most spinning either with wheels or spindles. One newish member was being taught to spin by Sue R.

Another, taught by Sue V at Dornoch, was doing impressively well with a spindle.

Sadie had offered to help anyone with queries about tapestry, and had set up four small looms. Several people had a go during the day. Sadie herself was weaving a sample echoing the marks on a stone.

Linda had also brought along the landscape tapestry she is working on.

And the sheep were there with their field – two more than at Dornoch!

Longstanding members of the Guild were remembering Serena Mason, and there was a minute’s silence for her at the beginning of the EGM, which took place in the middle of the day.

Following the election of Linda as Chair and Sue R as Treasurer, Sadie outlined the workshop programme she is working on – a lot of things to look forward to there! Our May Open Day will be at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, near Fort Augustus.

Anna Champeney Talk

Karen Buchananevent reports, Reports, weaving reports

Anna’s talk to guild members on Saturday told the story of her weaving life from the year 2000, when aged 30, she and her partner moved to rural Ribiera Sacra in NW Spain, until the present day. “Madness” is how she described this decision, and bold it certainly was… without any weaving skills she set out to revive what was becoming a dying tradition in this sparsely populated, mountainous area in Galicia.


Over the next hour, we saw how Anna developed her weaving practice into a successful business; initially as a weaver dyeing her own yarns, then as a teacher in her rural studio, and on to developing her business as she worked with the big fashion labels. Today she heads up a postgraduate course in Applied Arts at the Massana Art School in Barcelona. 


It was Anna’s approach to solving problems by learning new skills as they were required (weaving, dyeing, design, branding and marketing) that was inspirational. She applied herself to fund-raising, seizing opportunities as they arose seeking out local expertise to help her on her journey.  After Anna left the call, we continued to discuss design and sources of inspiration for our work, and noted how Anna had used other arts and crafts, such as jewellery makers, along her creative journey. “Food for thought” as one attendee commented to me afterwards. 

Visit Anna’s website here.

Dornoch Show 2023

Stephanie HoyleReports, shows

I was a complete newbie both to the beautiful town of Dornoch and to its annual allthings-fibre get together. At just a stretch too far for an easy day trip I stayed overnight not least to see Joan Baxter’s extraordinary tapestry weaving exhibition and to chat with her while she worked. A weaver of international reputation in the back room of the Dornoch Social Club! This is the kind of highlight that makes this festival very special indeed.


The various stalls were spread through two venues and these offered a large selection of fibres, accessories and knowledge. I doubt any came from much further than fifty miles away proving what a wonderful array of businesses we have now in the Highlands. An extra stall of interest for me was the Stashbuster selling on behalf of contributors and taking a cut to raise some funds for the festival. I covered the costs of new purchases (husband not convinced this was the purpose…). The Guild had a presence in the Hub which, if there hadn’t been classes on there, I think would have been a little out of the way, being separate from the stallholders. Around a dozen members spun, wove and blethered away showing off displays of dyeing, spun skeins and woven pieces across the two days and new interest in the Guild was definitely generated. I’m looking forward to doing it all over again next year perhaps with some kinder weather.

Linda Henderson

Some of Joan Baxter’s work:

Black Isle Show 2023

Stephanie HoyleReports, shows

The Black Isle Show is on the Wednesday and Thursday after the Nairn Show, and opens to the public at 4pm on Wednesday, so we got there about 1.00 to start setting up.  A good thing we were early – no tables or chairs and slightly less space than last year!  A phone call solved the first problem, and we managed to reclaim a bit of space from the fleece competition!  Our location near the sheep show and the shearing competition is good, and draws in interested people, but a good year for the fleece and crooks competitions means a lean year for us in terms of space. 

This year we had display boards, provided by Alison Roddham, with information about our core crafts.  Alison also brought along a selection of inkle looms, including two old box types, one original, one reproduction, a tablet weaving loom, and a peg loom; Henriette was weaving colourful patterns on her 8-shaft, Fergus set up his upright loom, and I had the SampleIt, so weaving was well represented.  Catherine Freeland, who wasn’t able to be there, sent two baskets of luscious dye samples. Spinning wheels whirred, spindles twirled and the display included articles made from handspun, and Sue’s skeins of fancy yarn, and skeins from different types of fleece.  Meanwhile, in a tent far away (at least on the other side of the showground!) Sadie was introducing children to tapestry weaving and helping them to make woven tree decorations.

Two good days; the weather was reasonably kind to us and we had a lot of visitors, many of them genuinely interested in our crafts.  Lots of people had a go at spinning and at most of the types of weaving on offer.  We met old friends – Deborah Ilett was there with three of her grandchildren.  And Sheila won two trophies in the craft competition!   Thanks to everyone who took part.

Nairn Show 2023

Stephanie HoyleReports, shows

This year we were provided with a new tent, more spacious than the gazebo we had before, and sited near the horticulture tent.  We were facing the show jumping arena, so had something to watch in quiet moments!  We also had a view of a little group of alpacas, which were at a stand next to the horticulture tent.  We were steadily busy all day, with quite a few people genuinely interested and wanting to have a go, and a couple of people wanting to buy things from the display!  Hilma created a lot of interest with her peg loom weaving in bright colour with a lot of texture.  Margaret, Christine, Fiona, Ada, Kathleen, and Jenny were all spinning; Sasha was weaving on an inkle loom; I was mostly weaving on the Guild SampleIt loom, but did a bit of spinning too – I handed the SampleIt to Sasha when she finished her inkle band.  Weatherwise it was mostly hot and sunny, with the odd sharp shower. 

The Show has a craft competition with a class for “An article in own handspun wool, knitted, crocheted or woven”.  Frances won with her lovely woven bag, my teddy was second, Rossie’s jumper came third, Fiona’s hat fourth and Gill’s tunic fifth.  Kathleen wove a bag (her first weaving) for the WRI stand and got a third. 

A good day – exhausting, but very enjoyable!

Open Day December 2023

Stephanie Hoyleevent reports, Reports

Around 20 people attended our December meeting at Strathpeffer Community Centre, most with spinning wheels. There was a lot of chat as usual, also mince pies and chocolates! Some took advantage of the opportunity to browse the library books and the equipment, now stored in a cupboard in the room we use, and securely locked when we are not there. There was also a stash buster sales table.