In 2013, Clair Thorley was working at a Calgary yarn store when she and indie dyer Hasmi Ferguson were discussing the lack of fibre shows in the area. A few weeks later, they started their own in a coffee shop with about ten vendors. What began as a small gathering has become a much-loved event now known as Fibre Shindig. April’s event hosted nearly 500 guests with about fifty artisans offering hand-dyed yarn, spinning fibre, and fibre arts accessories.
At Inuit-owned Qiviut Inc., Tanis “Akutuq” Simpson carries on a family tradition of using qiviut (the inner wool of the muskox) for warmth. In 2019, she and her brother purchased vintage fibre processing machinery from a closing Alaska mill and launched their own mill. They produce yarn, knitwear, and hand warmers from qiviut and qiviut blends. They welcome customers for tours and in-person shopping at their mill and boutique in Nisku, Alberta.
Elana Goodfellow is the Master Spinner behind Two Times Infinity. She emphasizes sustainability in her selection of batts, blends, solids, and fibre exploration boxes. She also offers customized bundles for students in the Master Spinner Program at Olds College. Elana has been spinning for over a decade and regularly leads in-person and virtual spinning workshops.
Visit the Digits & Threads Community Calendar for listings of Canadian events near you. If you’re hosting an event, please add it!
Helen Mawdsley of Mawdsley Fibre Arts is a fibre artist and wood turner. When Helen couldn’t find the spinning tools that she wanted, she taught herself wood turning and made her own. She offers a variety of hand-carved items including suspended and drop spindles, distaffs, and mending mushrooms. Her heirloom-quality pieces are produced with limited sanding and favour food-safe woods.
Erin Reidy of Lily and Pine Fibre Arts began experimenting with dyeing when she couldn’t find a specific colour for a spinning project. In 2017, she launched her home studio in Calgary. She now offers a full line of hand-dyed yarns from lace to bulky in twenty-nine unique colourways. Her spinning fibre and yarns are available online and at shops across Canada.
Fibre Shindig is held biannually in spring and fall and is celebrating its tenth anniversary on October 21, 2023. For more information visit fibreshindig.com, @fibreshindig on Instagram, or The Shindig Collective on Facebook.
All images by Connie Miazga.
