Fibre Feis 2012

Community. It’s one of those things you don’t miss until you have a really amazing, supportive one then you reflect on how you didn’t always have that richness. It’s part social life, part therapy – especially for knitters. We spin, crochet, knit, and talk. Talk about everything from fibre choices to breast feeding to the state of the economy. Each year (read about last year’s), this sense of community with my knitting friends comes together in an event known simply as Fibre Feis. Hosted by the lovely and talented Sue, we pitch tents in her garden, share food we’ve each prepared, and exchange stories over a bit of fibre fun. It is simple. We gather, camp out, roast marshmallows when the sun disappears over the horizon, and enjoy life.

This year there was even exclusive micro-brewed ale and stout. I’ll admit, the beer was exciting to me because my designs were used for the labels! You know you’ve arrived as a stylist/designer when your work ends up on a beer label. Well, maybe that’s not quite how the idea goes but I was tickled.

This photo (by Liz) shows the lads (Sue’s and Cathy’s hubbies) minding the beer.

All three of us drove out for the weekend, wee Optimus included. He was a dote. Having attended Fibre Feis 2011 in my belly, it seemed only natural he join us this year. Next year, we’ll have him joining in with a bit of crochet! Ok, perhaps not. But no harm trying. If you ask Optimus what his favorite part of the weekend was, I think he’d say it was Cathy‘s Wellies. He LOVED their bright colors and happy laces. He kept untying them (then we’d retie them so he could do it again). I was amazed he didn’t try to grab at the whirling spinning wheels but maybe he just knew it wouldn’t feel good.

It was fun to see old chums, Cork knitting buddies, and new friends.
Old chums, including those I met at least year’s Fibre Feis: Cathy (of the cool Wellies), UnderMeOxter, Diane of The DKC, Aoibhe Ni, SineadR and her hubby John,…
Cork knitting buddies I see often enough to feel lucky: Liz/Voxless, Hilser, Amy, Carol Feller and family, Sara of Irish Wools and Smudge Yarns, WrapNTurn and her hubby who is behind Mountain Man Brewery,…
New friends are always lovely and I feel fortunate to have met these fab people: Cathy’s hubby G, Woolly Wormhead, Sara Rourke of Sweensie Bags,…
…and a few more fab people who keep their lives offline so no names or links included.

Last year, I took many photos but this year only a few so I am grateful to Liz for sharing her photos with me for my blog post. And so grateful to Sue for including me in this beautiful community!

Here are a few photos from last year: