This has to be the longest project I’ve ever undertaken, but at least I can say it’s done, close to four years from the day I first announced my impulsive decision to make the Petals Wrap (featured on the cover of Crochet So Fine by Kristin Omdahl).

I certainly didn’t work on it every day of those four years (but the thought of working on it crossed my mind every day), and I don’t want to think of the number of hours I spent on this, but now that it’s done, I can crumple it up and toss it into the back of a drawer (just joking—but I could do so and pull it out a year later to find it unwrinkled).

I ended up adapting the pattern considerably. By the time I reached the point where the sleeves were to be added, I was getting worried about my supply of mushroom-dyed handspun silk. That’s when I looked at the pattern reviews on Ravelry, only to read that a bottom section I had yet to add looked disturbingly like a flounce—dare I say in many cases like a ruffle? Plus, that and the sleeves would take as much fibre as I’d alreadys used in the front and back sections. That information, along with the fact that it was only two months until Symposium week, led to my choice to forget sleeves and flounce and turn it into a tunic/vest instead. I’m pleased with that decision.

And I finally found a use for the bear hair I found all those many years ago and, sadly, ruined by steaming. I was concerned about germs, but I would have had such long, strong fibres if I hadn’t worried about a bit of poo getting under the fingernails. Anyway, I’ve been hanging on to a little pile of tiny broken fibres, wondering if I should try spinning from a toothpick-sized puni. Instead, I decided to mold it with white glue into the shape of a mushroom to embellish the crocheted button I added at the neckline. Problem is, the stem broke off somewhere during the Symposium, so now all I’m left with is something that looks for all the world like a little plop of black, shiny . . . bear poo.

My mom was a weaver, and watching her set up the warp and get everything ready to actually weave was enough to make me decide I didn’t want to follow that path. As a result, I have great admiration for the talented weavers who can take fibre and turn it into lovely fabric and garments.

This Rainforest Wrap was made by a Deanna Pilling, a most talented weaver and, incidentally, the driving force behind the Sunshine Coast Fibreshed. Deanna used mushroom-dyed yarns against a black background and created this gorgeous wrap, inspired by the rain and the lush forest growth that results.

Truly inspired, wouldn’t you agree?

I’m pleased to announce the publication of Magic in the Dyepot, part memoir, part how-to, and part how-not-to. In it I share what I’ve learned so far. I hope it will entice even more natural dyers to consider fungi for their dyepots.

For ordering information and to see a few sample pages, click here.

It’s been just over a month since Symposium week, a grand event by all accounts. With 120 registrants from all around the world, the energy was high in our little community. The dyepots barely had a chance to cool down from one day to the next, the forests couldn’t have been more generous with their mushrooms, and everyone went home with smiles on their faces.

Thanks to participant Lesley O’Keefe, we can enjoy looking back on the week’s events with this Youtube video, which also highlights the beauty of BC’s Sunshine Coast—and shows why those of us who live here feel we’re the most fortunate people in the world.

I’m actually making some headway on my crocheted silk wrap, all in mushroom colours, that must be finished by October in time for the Fungi & Fibre Symposium—once I got into the pattern, I discovered it was much easier to follow the chart instead of the written instructions, and now I can see where it’s taking me.

This is the back. I’ve also blocked matching side pieces and am now attaching all three sections in such a way as to make openings where I’ll add the sleeves. I’m following the pattern on faith here in the belief that eventually this too will make sense.

The mushrooms are appearing early this year, thanks to a glorious rainy spring and early summer. I hope to squeeze in some dyepot time in the next few weeks, but with three months to go until the big event, my priorities are elsewhere for the most part.

Some time ago—almost three years ago, in fact—I posted about my plans to knit a silk wrap. I didn’t mention at the time that I have an immovable deadline for this project: the Fungi & Fibre Symposium to be held here in Pender Harbour in October of this year. At this fabulous event, participants wait until the final gala dinner on the last evening to show off their new mushroom-dyed finery—lovely garments, clever hats, lustrous silk ties—items to be admired and marveled at for the rest of the evening.

So I convinced myself that I could make a crocheted silk wrap, the construction of which is far beyond anything I’ve ever managed before; the same can be said for the yardage requirements (2,000+ yards of finely spun silk).

I don’t think I’ve spun quite enough yet, but the project can wait no longer. I must get started if I’m to complete it by October 22. The swatch is still a bit heavy, so I may have to move to a larger crochet hook, but at least I know I can make sense of the pattern.

I’ll report as the wrap takes shape. Wish me luck.

The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived: it’s time to register for the 17th Fungi & Fibre Symposium, October 17-22, 2016, in Madeira Park on BC’s Sunshine Coast. Just go to the Register page on the website, fill in the interactive form, then go back to the website to process your registration fee through PayPal.

Workshops will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so those who register early will have the best chances of getting their preferred choices.

It’s going to be a grand event—do plan to attend.

My posts have been few this last little while—I’m putting most of my dyers aside for the Fungi & Fibre Sympsium and spending most of my available time setting things up for registration, which will open March 1. It promises to be such a grand event, in such a beautiful setting, and the excitement in our little community is building.

In the meantime, here’s a look at what we did in Estonia in 2014. fungimagwinter2015

People who come to one Symposium will never want to miss another, and I’m so looking forward to getting together with old friends and meeting new converts to this wonderful passion.

If you’re not yet on our mailing list, pop us an email at fungiandfibre2016@gmail.com—we look forward to seeing you in October!