A Breath of Fresh Air!

Sometimes I think weaving follows me everywhere—and that’s not a metaphor. I have lost count of the number of times I’ve stumbled upon weavers while traveling. I meet them in elevators and run across studios in tiny towns off the beaten path. It happens so often that I’m surprised when I go on a trip and don’t find myself having a conversation with a fellow weaver.

For example, two years ago, I planned a family vacation to Washington. While we spent plenty of time in Seattle, the two highlights of the trip were visiting Madelyn van der Hoogt at the Weaver’s School and going on a hike in the Hoh Rain Forest. Before our hike, we stopped at the Olympic National Park visitor’s center in Port Angeles to get information, maps, and Junior Ranger guides for the kids. As soon as we left the car, what did I spy? A weaver demonstrating on a table loom. We had a great chat—and I found out she was visiting from the same Colorado town where Long Thread Media is headquartered. What a lovely surprise!

Mountain Memories Cuff by Felicitas Sloves

The forest was spectacular, full of giant trees covered in lichen and dripping in moss. We had great fun finding wildlife (the boys appreciated the giant banana slugs), and both children managed to earn Junior Ranger badges. It was a lovely walk in the woods, perhaps made even better by my serendipitous meeting with that weaver—who’s to say?

If you appreciate a good walk in the woods, especially when it involves handwovens, Fall 2025 is the issue for you. In these pages, you’ll find 18 projects inspired by forests and the fun we can have in them, including an inkle-woven hatband and matching walking stick leash for hikes, a cozy plaid pin-loom throw perfect for an overstuffed cabin armchair, and plenty of projects inspired by forest flora and fauna, including a mossy scarf with just the right touch of whimsy.

Gathering of Plaids Throw by Kelly Sessions

In the articles, you’ll take a hike through the Himalayas and meet some traditional backstrap weavers, you’ll explore natural dyeing using parts of common fruits and their trees, and you’ll go back in time at a rendezvous encampment with historical reenactor and inkle weaver Annie MacHale.

Close up of the inkle strap on the Nature Hike Bottle Bag by Angela K. Schneider

There’s so much I love in this issue. I hope it inspires you, not just in your weaving but also to go out for a hike. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet a fellow weaver when you do!

Happy weaving!

Christina