Color, pop and sweet ideas abound in the new hip Portland that has come to being over the last few years. I had the chance to experience all of this and meet cool creative people. I made a new friend at Portfiber, a weaving studio, with the owner Casey Ryder. The experience was colorful and rejuvenating. My excitement at seeing an entire wall of hand dyed wool would have made my husband weep from embarrassment. (Insert a smiley face here.)

Hand dyed wool ready to be spun. A rainbow of options.

Why did I travel to Portland? Well, I did this to work a loom and hand weave a rug in one day. Yes, that’s right a rug made of Pendleton wool salvages. Fortunately the loom was pre strung so all I had to do was hop up onto the bench seat and use the pedals like a piano player to move the warp yarns up and down. I managed this despite not being able to touch the floor! I even took my shoes off to feel the pedals like a true weaver. I think observers would know my novice ability level in no time.

Having way too much fun with Renee Rucci of Renee Rucci Design. I am holding a shuttle to weave the weft threads through.

Despite this, after only a few hours I was gratified at seeing the beginnings of a rug. The hues of blacks and blues were looking perfect. This gave me encouragement to continue with the help of my fellow novice weaver, Renee. A few pointers came from the instructors along the way. It may have been our commentary on our progress or the laughter emanating from our side of the room that would clue them in to when we would need a rescue and help with our technique.

I have to say that this day at Portfiber gave me a sense of accomplishment and new appreciation for weavers and their craft. See if you can resist checking out the portfiber.com website and take a make a visit the fiber arts studio and try your hand at weaving.