Syne Mitchell

Syne Mitchell is a weaving evangelist who’s been spreading the love of weaving via WeaveCast (a podcast), WeaveZine (an informational website and blog) and by teaching at retreats and conferences around the country.  A former columnist for Handwoven, she’s written for Spin-Off; Knitty; Shuttle, Spindle, and Dyepot; The Journal for Weavers, Spinners and Dyers; Complex Weavers, The Journal Nature, and Craft: Magazine.  Her current passion is eTextiles, a blending of art and science that combines electronics with the fiber arts.  She lives near Seattle with her husband and son, and when she’s not working at her job in the tech industry or at the loom, is most likely to be found on skates, training for roller derby.

Do blinky lights delight you?  Wish you had the geek-fu to add electronics to your projects?  It’s easier than you think.  Syne Mitchell will start you gently on the path to creating stand-out eTextile garments.  Using the Aniomagic Sparkle and LED sequins, you will learn how to embellish your socks with wee winking glimmers of light that react in a pattern you choose.  If time permits, we will discuss other eTextile options such as LED circuits, the Aniomagic schemer, and the Arduino lilypad.

Weaving predates knitting by about 27,000 years and history is rife with examples of handwoven socks and stockings: the Saxon socc, bias-cut medieval hose, and Japanese tabi.  Syne Mitchell will talk you on a guided tour of the history of woven socks, then we’ll dive into hands-on work: draping custom-fitted sock patterns and sewing up a pair of socks from your handwoven (or commercial) fabric.