Jessica Birak
I am a artist, knitter, spinner, Autistic, queer Asian woman and mother to 5. The art that I do is not defined by the medium that I am using, but the movements and the intentions behind my hands. I have been dabbling in fibre arts since I was eight years old. While conventional knitting and spinning focuses on technique and mechanics, I hope to bring a new insight into the art of spinning and knitting. For me, knitting and spinning skills are learned through feeling behind the craft. The intention in each twist and stitch is what makes a knitter or spinner. These titles are not reserved for those who make the perfect stitch or yarn. Anyone who picks up needles or a spindles with curiosity becomes a knitter or spinner. I believe that the practice of knitting and spinning is a valuable sacred practice that can be a gentle space for healing, embodiment, and connection to our ancestors and to the natrual world. Mother Earth offers natural materials so that we can be invited into these arts, transmuting our pain into beautiful things we can make and touch. My intention is to invite others into themselves so that they can witness the alchemy of their beautiful selves with the natural materials that Mother Earth offers to us. And as an act of reciprocity, the art of knitting and spinning facilitates slow and intentional creation with sustainability and minimal waste.
Knitting the Threads of Connection
Knitting is a meditative practice that connects us to our heartbeats, with its soothing rhythms and slow process. Knitting connects us to the lineage of ancestors who have created with their own hands with intention. In this workshop, we’ll explore how the simple, intentional practice ground us in the present, serving as both a creative outlet and a tool for reclaiming inner peace. We’ll also delve into knitting as a symbolic act: crafting with natural fibers, we draw from the earth’s abundance to make something unique, functional, and beautiful. Participants will leave not only with a new skill but with a deeper connection to their hands, hearts, and the materials they use.
To honour the Earth and the natural materials she offers us, we will be working with yarn that I have processed from raw fleece, blended with locally hand dyed fibres and sari silk. (Yes, I washed the lanolin!)
Participants will be invited to knit a headband based on a pattern designed by me. Alternatively, they can choose to knit a small pouch buttoned pouch to store their crystals, decks or any trinkets and tokens desired. Photos attached. Foundational knitting skills will be covered, such as casting on, weaving in and ends, knit and purl stitches, as well as binding off and gauge swatching. Due to the time limitations, additional skills will be demonstrated on a communal swatch and participants will have the opportunity to try: decreasing, increasing, picking up dropped stitches.
The headband pattern is designed to teach foundation skills in the timeframe we have: A mini swatch is created to ensure we get to cover foundational skills needed to make a complete piece. (Learning to bind off) This mini swatch will then become part of the final product- the centre of the headband. Pattern is inclusive and can be modified as desired. If participants choose to make the pouch, they will still learn the skills needed to bind off on a communal swatch.
Participants will also receive access to filmed tutorials and support to complete their piece if they do not finish their piece within the workshop time.
I will also create a notions kit for each person so that they have the tools to try skills learned on their own if they wish! Each notions kit will be custom engraved with the participants’ names, and all stitch markers are handmade by me. Needles and handspun yarn provided!
Materials included:
Stitch markers (handmade), handspun yarn, Dropped Stitch Fixer, stitch stoppers, knitting needles, darning needles, pattern, exclusive access to filmed tutorials, Notions engraved with their name for notions (they can personalize it!) and support if desired.
Cost: $77