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).
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
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