A Little Advice

 

This little book arrived yesterday.  Written by Jamie Hurlburt and Kim McCollum it is not your 'usual' weaving book.  While I haven't finished it yet - quite - I have read enough to know that I want to share it with others.

The authors are upfront about the fact it is not a how-to-weave book.  It is more of a how-to-learn-to-become-a-weaver book.

One of the things I ran into as a new weaver was the attitude that there was only one-right-way to do weaving.  Not everyone, not by a long shot - but in certain circles it was definitely A Thing.

As I have continued to pursue and learn about the craft of weaving, I have come across some very strongly stated 'principles' and firm admonishments from certain people, certain in their knowledge and willing to share their certainties with the rest of the weaving communities.

But one of the biggest lessons I have learned over the years, is that there is no general certainty about anything regarding weaving.  There are only broad generalities, and then very specific and targeted information.

Because it all depends!

The authors introduce some of those general comments that are applied to the entirety of the craft and encourage people to examine them to see if they apply to anything that you, personally, are doing.

Because what one weaver does will not necessarily apply to what another weaver does.

This approach aligns with mine in every way, even if I might phrase it differently.  Because we are different people, and we are allowed to personalize our comments to suit our own personalities.

So while the authors may say something in a way that I wouldn't, I agree with the fact they are saying it.

When they say 'weaving it not hard' and then qualify that by saying '(not that hard)'. I might say 'weaving is complex, not difficult'.

When they say 'don't rely on processes or hacks', I say 'fill your weaving toolbox with as many tools as you can and then use them when necessary'.

Because everyone is different, information is most useful when a receptive (open) mind receives them.  But it also helps to have different voices say the same principles, but use different metaphors!

In the 21st century, weaving is primarily a hobby for most.  As people living in the 21st century, we assume that - as adults - anything we choose to do will come easily to us.  We are mature, our physical skills are refined, we know things.

But the thing is, we don't know weaving.  And as mentioned many times, weaving is complex.  It has developed over millennia, in different environments, with different materials, different cultures.  As such it has a complexity that we can only scrape at the surface of.

This year marks the 50th year that I have been weaving.  For most of that 50 years I was a professional production weaver.  I had certain goals and objectives in mind and I honed my skills, and filled my toolbox.  The reason I use certain tools is because the tools I selected were giving me consistent good results (until they didn't, and then I had to change to meet the changed circumstances).

If someone doesn't want to use a warping valet, for instance, there is no need for them to do so - IF they are happy with their results.

But keeping an open, thoughtful mind will go a long way towards a weaver continuing to learn.  The more they learn, the better able they are to fix something when it is going pear-shaped.  To adapt when something isn't working properly.  To know when a mistake is terminal, or how to fix it without fuss.  To accept that nothing is always 'perfect' and that 'good' can be 'good enough'.

Above all, we can accept that we are constant students, that there is something else to learn, and open ourselves to the possibilities.

Perhaps this little book will break down some barriers.  I may not agree with everything the authors say - as in I won't do that, personally - but I endorse the message - learn.  Explore.  Let your imagination and creativity have free rein.

And it's perfectly ok to make general statements if you allow for specific circumstances to be handled in a different way.

Because that is what lifelong learning looks like.  Above all, it depends.

Bravo for writing this book challenging weavers to question the 'wisdom' of the craft if it is not meeting the requirements of the desired results.  Sometimes people need permission to question 'authority' in order to meet their specific needs.  

All that said, if you are happy, no need to change a thing.  But if you run into a problem?  Maybe it is time to look beyond what you know and look for new answers?