We began the program by reading The Goat in the Rug which tells the story of weaving a Navajo rug from beginning to end from the perspective of Geraldine the goat.

Then a trip to the Historical Society upstairs revealed many of the tools of the ancient art of weaving, such as:

various kinds of fiber, including flax, a yarn winder,

carders used to prepare the fiber for spinning,

and a spinning wheel used to spin fiber into yarn.

A  variety of fibers were available to see and feel that included mohair from goats, angora from rabbits and silk from worms!

A local textile artist shared her tools and expertise with the group. She demonstrated how to card wool and use a drop spindle to make yarn.

She also brought a portable rug loom, named all the parts and demonstrated how it was used.

Then all interested children got to try weaving on the loom too.

The children also made unique weavings using paper, ribbons and other found items. 

Though we didn't get to visit, we did get to have an online tour of a local fiber mill. Click here to visit Loch's Fiber Mill.