This must be one fun group. They tell me members drive all the way from Moundsville, WV, from Cambridge, and from Pennsylvania to attend meetings. They also tell me that Ghandi found Spinning so conducive to meditation that he wished all of India to practice this ancient craft. Here, I think they just do it for fun and comraderie. Plus control. If you're an artist working with fabrics, you can't get more control of your project that to spin your own yarn. You can see the spinners in action at the Fall Mill Festival, or you can meet them at their monthly gatherings: 3rd Saturday, in the schoolhouse at the Algonquin Mill, 10-3. More on the group from member Lynn Carnes:

Perhaps we should call ourselves the "Algonquin Mill Spinners, Dyers, and Weavers" guild. We have several members who spin, dye and weave, and one member who does not spin, but weaves on the old Newcomb "Weaver's Delight" loom in the spinning and weaving cabin. Another member builds and weaves on an Inkle loom, which is a type of loom used for weaving strips of fabric and tapes. We have alsp learned the skills of basketry, dyeing fiber, embossing stationary, knitting, crocheting, felting, Australian locker hooking, color blendin, and wool preparation. Several members raise their own sheep and use the wool for spinning. We are fortunate to have a flax expert as a member also. The cumulative talent of this group is truly amazing! We demonstrate at the Great Trail Festival, and you can see us in action at every Algonquin Mill Festival in the Spinning and weaving cabin, and also in the two-story log house. You can always find this group by following the laughter! We invite anyone who is interested to attend our monthly meetings; just remember to bring something good to eat! Editors note: I'll bet they forgive you if you stop in the first time with empty hands. There always seemed to be a smidgeon (read tons)left over when I pass through.

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