Preparations for Weaving Boot Camp!

How does one prepare for an intensive 3 week weaving immersion program at Vavstuga? Like any intense physical experience — you TRAIN for it!  By weaving?  — well maybe.  I have taken a different tack.

Staying in one position, often with a less than optimal posture can cause various maladies.  Neck ache, upper back (shoulder blade) strain, Shoulder joints can get “pinched”, wrists ache, lower back pain.  About the only structure that holds up well are LEGS.

For the last year — since the Basics and Linen classes at Vavstuga, I have been in training!  I walk in the morning (dogs), then do 30 minutes of Tai Chi and Shoulder exercises (from my physical therapist) and a few core exercises (Lower back and abdomen).  Later in the day I do either 30 minutes of one of two different yoga routines (one for bone density and one for muscle strength) at home, or I go to a 75 minute yoga class.  I now have lots more strong, dense, muscly muscles.  I am stronger and in better shape than I have been my entire adult life!  I am now ready for Weaving Boot Camp!

Have I been weaving?  Yes — once back from Basics class, I dressed my loom with an AMBITIOUS checked table cloth in 4 colors and started weaving — using the full length of my loom (120 cm) — so that was cool and the tablecloth’s turned out great.  I also wove a few old standby’s – towels.  I also wove a few  blankets (using double wide weaving) with Tuna wool (wow, what a nice, warm, cozy, soft blanket that made!) – and I am in the process of weaving 3 different types of towels as gifts for friends and family.  

I am also spinning a LOT — I want to make EVERYONE a handspun, handwoven blanket, so I’m currently spinning projects what would make good warp.

What else am I doing to “get ready”?  Well …. it’s all about THE LIST (I have been working on this since I signed up for the Mini Immersion class — I think I was actually the FIRST to sign up).  Yes folks — a list of supplies.  What should I bring?  There will be some down time in the evenings (that is … if I don’t crash and crawl into bed at 8:00 pm every night — like last time — BUT I have been training, after all, right??)  I need a List because I obsess, I hate to forget anything (obsess) and I really don’t like shopping (Lou does all the shopping).  

THE LIST has all the normal boring stuff on it (Clothes, toiletries, meds, notebook, electronics … yada yada yada) and things like a Knitting project, a spindle project (I’m spinning lace yarn for the opening of my Etsy shop), my Hansen MiniSpinner with its supply bag (Zuca), yoga mat and blocks, music, COFFEE supplies, some food … AFTER ALL I am going away for 3 weeks … I should feel comfortable and at home, yes?
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I am less than a week away from VAVSTUGA and I’m starting to feel — weird, happy, excited, anxious.  I have cleaned up my music room and prepared it as the staging area for the physical manifestation of THE LIST (Pics to follow)  Lou says “Yer gonna need a bigger car” — maybe I should go out and get a car top carrier?  What was I thinking when I bought the Honda Fit?? I shoulda bought the Pilot, or maybe the Ridgeline – Rats!