At the Library 2/3/22

At the Library

By LeAnn Kunz

Fiber Arts February is here and we have a festive one planned at your Washington Public Library. This annual celebration is made possible with the help of those in the community who have a love and appreciation for fiber and textiles and are willing to share their talents and pieces. This year we are offering a variety of workshops, presentations, and exhibits that are all free and open to the public. On Friday, February 4 we kick off the month with a special Sticks & Strings Ball Winding Party at noon. Participants can bring skeins of yarn that they would like to wind into balls. You should also bring your own crochet, knitting, and sewing projects, etc. to work on while enjoying fellowship with fiber arts friends.

On Saturday, February 5 at 10:30 a.m. we are hosting an Upcycling Sweaters to Hats Workshop for all ages, but 12 and under should attend with an adult. I  will teach you how to upcycle a wool sweater into a warm, winter hat.  Participants should bring a felted wool sweater. To felt a sweater, start with a sweater that is made of 65% or more wool. 100% wool is ideal. Wash the sweater in hot water so that it shrinks and is now tightly woven. I will have a few sweaters available for participants to use if you cannot get one but the best place to check for wool sweaters is at a consignment or thrift store. All other  supplies will be provided but participants can bring their own embellishments like ribbons, beads, buttons, etc. Register at the library. There is a limit of 12 spots in this class. 

Artist Catherine Reinhart will be our virtual guest on Feburary 10 at 7 p.m. She will be presenting a virtual artistic presentation of the "Collective Mending Sessions.” Catherine will speak about her socially engaged project which asks, how can craft become a catalyst for social repair? What metaphors from hand mending can apply to broader issues within our communities? Reinhart exhibits her work locally and nationally. She has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards. To join this presentation, email leann.kunz@washington.lib.ia.us for a link.

We will be presenting a Wrapping & Coiling Workshop with Carol Ray on Saturday, February 19 at 10:30 a.m. Learn the wrapping & coiling technique to create beautiful baskets, placements, & other fiber sculptures. Materials provided, but you may bring your own yarn and large darning needle. Registration is required for all ages, but under 12 should attend with an adult. There is a limit of 12 participants for this workshop.

Artist Kathleen Almelien will be our grand finale of the month, giving us a presentation and demonstration of Norwegian Bandweaving on Saturday, February 26 at 10 a.m. This is free and open to all ages.

The library is also excited to be featuring two fiber arts exhibits throughout the entire month. Iowa City artist Jan Friedman will be exhibiting “Weaving Through the Decades” in the Helen Wilson Gallery and in the front vestibule. This exhibit will include woven tapestries, fiber collages, and dyed scarves.  In addition on the second level, we will unveil our whimsical Outer Space in the Case exhibit. Regular members of Sticks & Strings have been hard at work over the past months creating out-of-this-world fiber creations. You don’t want to miss it!  Stop by the Washington Public Library or call 653-2726 if you have any questions about the upcoming events and celebrate Fiber Arts February with us!