I am drawn to quirky, fun and funky people, book characters, and artsy crafty projects. Since Fiber Art Month is coming up (October), I’m going to highlight playful fiber crafts you might want to try or just admire. We’ve also got times for you to play with fiber crafts at the library in October.
Twisted cross stitch
In the last decade or so I’ve noticed a lot more snarky and hilarious cross stitching. In conversations, I often think something a friend says needs to be stitched on a pillow. I’ve yet to make that a reality, but someday I will. Maybe 2023 (being realistic about my idea to execution timeline) will be the year my friends get a cross stitched pillow with one of their own quotes.
Kooky knitting & crocheting
Knitters and crocheters are also getting in on the fun of making unusual and amusing creations. Check out the books we have for inspiration and directions. The list below are my favorites, but there are many more to explore.
Fiber Month events at the library
Each year the library celebrates all things fiber in October. Whether it’s knitting, weaving, macramé, sewing or anything in between, there’s a fiber craft that will probably appeal to you. This year we also have a fiber art exhibit in the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery. Forming Fiber will be open through Nov 27, 2022.
To help your creative journey we’ll have Drop-in Fiber Crafting every Thursday night in October, and meet and create events with a different fiber guild Saturday afternoons in October.
Drop-in Fiber Crafting
Explore a different fiber craft each week! We’ll have supplies to get started in the craft, and helpful staff to answer questions and demonstrate techniques. Stop in to the Learning Center anytime between 6 and 8pm and stay as long as you’d like.
- Thu, Oct 6 – Embroidery and cross stitch
- Thu, Oct 13 – Sewing
- Thu, Oct 20 – Knitting and crochet
- Thu, Oct 27 – Weaving
Take & Make Craft Kit
Pick up a different craft kit each week with the materials and directions to make a fun project. We do have a limited number of kits. So the earlier in the week you stop by the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery or Curbside Pickup, the more likely you are to get a kit.
- Oct 3-9: Kool-Aid dyeing
- Oct 10-16: Coiled baskets
- Oct 17-26: Embroidered felt bookmarks
- Oct 24-30: Paper quilling
Meet & Create with a Fiber Craft Guild
Members of local craft guilds will teach us new skills in the Learning Center every Saturday in October 2-3pm. This is also a great place to meet other crafty people. We’ll explore a different type of fiber craft every week.
- Oct 8: Needlework Guild
- Oct 15: TBD
- Oct 22: TBD
- Oct 29: Topeka Handweavers & Spinners Guild
Resources for expanding your skills
Sometimes it helps to see a technique demonstrated to get the hang of it. Your library card gives you access to hundreds of videos through Creativebug. Classes range from less than 10 minutes to several hours, depending on the complexity of the project. There is something for every skill level from beginner to expert. Professional artists and designers teach all the video classes.
Of course, we also have books, books and more books! Check out the booklists below for some of our favorite fiber craft titles.
Ginger Park
As the library’s communications editor Ginger helps spread the word about all the amazing library resources, services and staff. She loves reading fiction and is working to keep her To Be Read list under 100. Ginger is also a volunteer at Helping Hands Humane Society.