My most recent Saori gig was at Scone in the Upper Hunter valley.
The scenery and trip to Scone from Old Bar was simply amazing. What a wonderful environment we live in. The Australian landscape has something that seeps into and under your skin. Very different to European scenes but one that totally takes over your senses in a way that you have to surrender to. Wild, natural and….unfortunately for the upper Hunter, full of mining and continual coal trains! However disturbing these are to this lovely town (and everyone else)  it doesn’t define it and the surrounding landscapes are magnificent.  Coming home we went over the tops high up in the clouded mists. These mountains seem huge to us but Australia doesn’t do huge in mountains like other countries because the land is so ancient and worn down. But for us, although a modesty,  it seemed a huge mountain!
The weaving group was also inspiring. Lunch was included which I always get excited about for some reason. The workshop ran for one day and at first I was a little scared because the collective skills of the group was enormous. Especially in knitting. Honestly what could I give them. I learnt alot on the day from everyone and saw some of their work. Only one participant had woven before on a rigid heddle and she began that in her 80’s!

The oldest participant was in her 90’s which always gives me hope and encouragement for my own future in continuing to love weaving. One of the participants worked in a mill in Kotara many years ago. There the woven cloth would be examined closely for errors as part of the quality control. In contrast  to the Saori enjoyment we didn’t do that!

The Saori approach to weaving and creating cloth can be quite a jolt to us when we are used to striving for perfection and standardisation. I think both are important but we now have permission to really create and love making cloth in our own way and away from what a factory would demand or could do. A factory loom will not stop to add that luscious piece of mohair lock with delight and curiosity. This is our deep human need and ability that will always surpass factory woven production.

My only regret is that we didn’t go to the Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces which was only 50k away. The sheep all parade down the main street in red socks. Maybe next time.

And yes! you can have scones in Scone. Special thanks to Carol, Sandra and the Scone Weavers for making this community project a reality.