Learning to Finger Weave at TWIST

Last weekend I went to the second annual Twist Fibre Festival in St André-Avellin. It's a festival that celebrates wool and crafting (spinning, dying, knitting, felting, hand-weaving, lace-making). There were workshops and demonstrations, and plenty of beautiful wool products to buy.

The highlight for me was the workshop I took on making a traditional French-Canadian Arrow Sash (une ceinture fléchée). This finger-weaving craft had been practiced since the 1800's to make belts that were used by voyageurs to tie their cape-like coats and provide back support. The traditional design is that of an arrow. Today the belt is part of the Métis national costume.

A woman weaving a ceinture fléchée. Photo part of Denis Caron's exhibit.

Photo part of Denis Caron's exhibit.

Photo part of Denis Caron's exhibit.

Learning the craft.

A beginner project: half an arrow bookmark.