Some time ago—almost three years ago, in fact—I posted about my plans to knit a silk wrap. I didn’t mention at the time that I have an immovable deadline for this project: the Fungi & Fibre Symposium to be held here in Pender Harbour in October of this year. At this fabulous event, participants wait until the final gala dinner on the last evening to show off their new mushroom-dyed finery—lovely garments, clever hats, lustrous silk ties—items to be admired and marveled at for the rest of the evening.

So I convinced myself that I could make a crocheted silk wrap, the construction of which is far beyond anything I’ve ever managed before; the same can be said for the yardage requirements (2,000+ yards of finely spun silk).

I don’t think I’ve spun quite enough yet, but the project can wait no longer. I must get started if I’m to complete it by October 22. The swatch is still a bit heavy, so I may have to move to a larger crochet hook, but at least I know I can make sense of the pattern.

I’ll report as the wrap takes shape. Wish me luck.

The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived: it’s time to register for the 17th Fungi & Fibre Symposium, October 17-22, 2016, in Madeira Park on BC’s Sunshine Coast. Just go to the Register page on the website, fill in the interactive form, then go back to the website to process your registration fee through PayPal.

Workshops will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so those who register early will have the best chances of getting their preferred choices.

It’s going to be a grand event—do plan to attend.

My posts have been few this last little while—I’m putting most of my dyers aside for the Fungi & Fibre Sympsium and spending most of my available time setting things up for registration, which will open March 1. It promises to be such a grand event, in such a beautiful setting, and the excitement in our little community is building.

In the meantime, here’s a look at what we did in Estonia in 2014. fungimagwinter2015

People who come to one Symposium will never want to miss another, and I’m so looking forward to getting together with old friends and meeting new converts to this wonderful passion.

If you’re not yet on our mailing list, pop us an email at [email protected]—we look forward to seeing you in October!

It’s actually going to happen, and right here in Madeira Park on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia: the largest (and only) international gathering of mushroom dyers! We’ll spend a week hovering over dyepots, taking in interesting workshops, and exploring the lush trails of our West Coast rainforest.

Registration will open March 1. Our workshop lineup is almost complete; check it out on our website. If you’re not already on our mailing list, drop us a line at [email protected].

A word of warning: once you attend one of the Symposia, you’ll never want to miss another!