| I began weaving during the Back-to-the-Land craft revival of the 1970s on a 4-harness counterbalance handbuilt floor loom (still my favorite). I was living on an Idaho ranch at the time and had easy access to wool fleece which I spun into yarn. There's an amazing feeling of satisfaction that comes from making something absolutely from "scratch." In addition, I'd solved the mystery that haunted me in dozens of fairytales; I was "spinning straw into gold." & Curiosity about my mythical name led me as a child to read Homer's Odyssey about how Penelope waited patiently (20 years) for Odysseus's return from the Trojan War. She passed the time weaving a tapestry. One day as I was sitting at my loom, it dawned on me. Penelope means "the weaver" and I was weaving (and still waiting). |
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| Waiting for Odysseus |
| When I produce a piece of fabric, whether I use my own handspun yarns or commercial yarns, I know there isn't another piece exactly like it anywhere in the world. I enjoy this kind of exclusivity, and so do my customers. |
| Gypsy Jackets from Penelope's 2006 collection. |
Cross patch Draw the latch Sit by the fire and spin. Take a cup Drink it up and call your neighbors in. --Kate Greenaway |
