By the time you read this you will have 10 weeks to complete your entries for the exhibition.

Our space at Darling Harbour is smaller than we applied for but I am continuing to press for more on the grounds that our members are busy making many exciting items for display. I hope that is true!

The Designer Yarn entry form is included in the March newsletter and the skeins will be shown as part of our display at Darling Harbour. Help to make it interesting and exciting by sending in everything from the outrageous to the exquisite and show the knitters out there that we can produce yarn you can't buy in shops.

Some country people are planning to travel a long way to attend so we are going to set up a register of city people who may like to billet them. This is not possible for everyone but if you think you would like to, look for the piece in next month's newsletter to complete and return.
Also next month we will be asking you to complete and return the slip if you are able to help set up or do some other duty during the five days.

Lucille Ryan

Posted by Prue Hill at 6:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Officially known as International Back to Back Wool Challenge)

In 1811 at Newbury in Berkshire, England, a £1,000 wager was made to make a coat from the sheep's back to man's back in one day. Watched by 5,000 people, the coat was completed in 13 hours. The sheep was eaten with much quaffing of beer to celebrate.

In Scotland, the story began again in 1992 with a keen young spinner who had developed thyroid cancer. His desire to raise funds for Cancer Research sparked the Back to Back Wool Challenge. The event created enormous interest in the UK because of the way it cleverly promoted wool and raised funds for Cancer Research.

In 1994 Wendy Dennis (member of Australian Wool Showcase) took part in the Fourth Wool Congress on Coloured Sheep in the UK and visited Scotland where plans were being made to develop an international competition. An international set of rules and a sweater pattern were developed - a team of 8 consisting of a blade shearer, 7 spinners/knitters and a sheep and the World Championship Trophy was donated. Wendy came home full of enthusiasm and the rest is history.

In 1995 Australia had three teams (none in NSW) - won by Shetland Isles with Geelong doing best in Australia. In 1996 Merriwa competed with two teams at their Festival of the Fleeces. By 1997, 25 teams competed worldwide and Shetland Isles still held the world record. Merriwa participated each year and finally in 2004 they broke the world record set in 1997 and by that time had raised $40,500 for Cancer Research. After such a wonderful achievement, they retired and to this day are recognised in the Guinness Book of Records as still holding the world record.

In 2005, Kurrajong participated at The Turpentine Tree, Kurrajong Heights, along with three other teams from NSW that participated at Tocal Agricultural College at Paterson. Japan won that year as they did again in 2006, when Kurrajong and the same three teams competed at Tocal again. So far, these are the only two venues currently hosting teams in NSW. Kurrajong is participating again this year in 2007 and would love to have another team join us. Members of another team would be able to sell their handcrafted goods at the venue.

Let's bring the trophy back to Australia!

Posted by Prue Hill at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The information day at the Guild on Sunday, 4 February was very well attended with some people travelling quite a long distance. Some came to check on their spinning standards, others to take advantage of the chance to have questions answered and listen to other people's questions, as well as those seeking to find out just what was involved in this independent course of study in hand spinning.

Time was available to look through the workbooks made available by people who have completed Part A and Part B. A number of people registered on the day. Another outcome was the sharing of email addresses between those interested and the suggestion of the creation of an Internet contact group.

The booklet setting out the Certificate of Competence in Handspinnging Part A and Part B - An Independent Course of Study in Handspinning is available from the Guild for $15. This can be useful to spinning groups and individuals looking for graded spinning tasks as well as those wishing to undertake and complete the course in their own time.

Those wishing to complete the course (one part at a time) and have their work assessed for the Certificate need to register using the form in the book by sending the completed form and $15 registration fee to the Guild prior to 31 May. Current Guild membership is required. Registration in May 2007 (or before) entitles you to two years till 31 May 2009 (or before, if you wish) to complete your work for assessment.

Current assessment fees are:
Part A: $70
Part B: $75.

Enquiries to the Registrar, Certificates of Competence in Handspinning Part A and Part B at the Guild.

NOTE - Those who have already completed Part A and are registered for Part B are reminded that if both alpaca and mohair sections were not studied and assessed in your Part A, it will be necessary to present the missed fibre tasks for assessment with the rest of your Part B.

Posted by Prue Hill at 6:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)