Sorting mitts and toques for the challenge
Weekly Drop-ins are the Heart of the Guild
Each week members gather in the main hall of the Oliver Community Centre. Some bring spinning wheels others use one of the Guild’s three floor looms, while many bring their own projects to work on. The Guild's library and equipment are all available and browsing through magazines and books for inspiration is encouraged.
Thursday Drop-ins are from 9am - 2pm from September to June. Coffee, tea and home-baked treats are prepared by volunteers and informal knitting demos and instructions are available. Most of the Thursday Workshops take place in one corner of the hall while other members sit at tables, chatting and working on their latest pieces.
Activities at Thursday Drop-ins may include:
Workshops - small group workshops during Thursday Drop-ins usually involve up to 12 members. For information on upcoming workshops click here.
Show and Tell – following the monthly Guild meeting, members show their newest work, everything from delicate handknit shawls to colourful rag rugs and needle felted dolls.
Challenges – the Guild holds creative challenges, based on colours or themes, encouraging everyone to produce pieces in any fibre, technique or style. Other challenges include collecting handknit hat, mitts and gloves or other items to be distributed through schools, hospices and other centres.
Projects on the looms - the Guild has three floor looms used for special weaving projects. Usually a warp, long enough for 5-6 projects is put on and the weaving is done in turns. Sometimes it's scarves, sometimes towels, but usually there’s a level of complexity which is challenging and engaging enough for even experienced weavers.
Each week members gather in the main hall of the Oliver Community Centre. Some bring spinning wheels others use one of the Guild’s three floor looms, while many bring their own projects to work on. The Guild's library and equipment are all available and browsing through magazines and books for inspiration is encouraged.
Thursday Drop-ins are from 9am - 2pm from September to June. Coffee, tea and home-baked treats are prepared by volunteers and informal knitting demos and instructions are available. Most of the Thursday Workshops take place in one corner of the hall while other members sit at tables, chatting and working on their latest pieces.
Activities at Thursday Drop-ins may include:
Workshops - small group workshops during Thursday Drop-ins usually involve up to 12 members. For information on upcoming workshops click here.
Show and Tell – following the monthly Guild meeting, members show their newest work, everything from delicate handknit shawls to colourful rag rugs and needle felted dolls.
Challenges – the Guild holds creative challenges, based on colours or themes, encouraging everyone to produce pieces in any fibre, technique or style. Other challenges include collecting handknit hat, mitts and gloves or other items to be distributed through schools, hospices and other centres.
Projects on the looms - the Guild has three floor looms used for special weaving projects. Usually a warp, long enough for 5-6 projects is put on and the weaving is done in turns. Sometimes it's scarves, sometimes towels, but usually there’s a level of complexity which is challenging and engaging enough for even experienced weavers.
Rug hooking at the Thursday Drop-in
Soup days – a favourite of the Guild Drop-ins are Soup Days where four or five members volunteer to bring large pots of soup, while others bring breads and desserts. Members pay a small fee for lunch which makes Soup Day a worthy fundraiser too.
Stash Sale - once or twice a year the Guild puts on a Stash Sale. Members bring whatever extra yarn they have and sell it to other members and the general public. It's a lot of fun and a fundraiser to boot.
Tea Towel Exchange - being a member of the Canada-wide weaving organizations, the Guild participates in towel exchanges, often receiving recognition for the quality of the submissions.
Comfort shawls – for many years now, the Guild has been collecting handwoven, knit or crocheted shawls and wraps that can be given to people in the community who might need a warm shawl for their hospital or sick-bed.
Summer in the Parks – Thursday Drop-ins transform into Thursday meet-ups in the parks over the months of July and August. Members bring their own chairs and projects and gather under the shade of some tall trees for a morning or early afternoon of fibre arts and crafts.
Stash Sale - once or twice a year the Guild puts on a Stash Sale. Members bring whatever extra yarn they have and sell it to other members and the general public. It's a lot of fun and a fundraiser to boot.
Tea Towel Exchange - being a member of the Canada-wide weaving organizations, the Guild participates in towel exchanges, often receiving recognition for the quality of the submissions.
Comfort shawls – for many years now, the Guild has been collecting handwoven, knit or crocheted shawls and wraps that can be given to people in the community who might need a warm shawl for their hospital or sick-bed.
Summer in the Parks – Thursday Drop-ins transform into Thursday meet-ups in the parks over the months of July and August. Members bring their own chairs and projects and gather under the shade of some tall trees for a morning or early afternoon of fibre arts and crafts.
Banner photo: Detail of tunic woven by Barb Levant.
