brownsheepyarn – Penoix's Weave Studio

I just received the latest issue of WEFT Magazine (Issue 5, Summer 2026), the one with my weaving featured in the cover photo!

The cover features a closeup of my weaving

This story started in February of 2025, when WEFT accepted a proposal I had sent for twill block book bags. Over the ensuing 7 months, I designed, wove and assembled two bags. In September I sent the draft article and the bags to WEFT. There were multiple iterations of the article, back and forth between the editors and myself, culminating in the publication this month. It was a fantastic experience, and working with editor Lisa Girard was a pleasure!

The bags are a name draft, which means I encoded names into the design. It’s a fun way to approach designing, and no one needs to know the code, unless you want to reveal it.* The article includes details specifically for the bags I wove, plus instructions on how to design your own name draft using twill blocks.

WEFT can be purchased at your local yarn shop or directly from the publisher.

All photos courtesy of WEFT Magazine.

*”CATHERINE LACROIX” and “PENNY LACROIX” are encoded in these matching mother-daughter book bags, in case you were wondering!

It was with great sadness that we said good-bye to the Fiber Loft last week. My “Happy Place” and primary teaching center is closed. The Fiber Loft is where I took my first weaving class back in 2001 with Reba Maisel. It’s where the Nashoba Valley Weavers’ Guild met for many years (until we outgrew the space.) And it’s where the Weavers’ Study Group met on Tuesday mornings for over 2 decades to talk about our latest projects, share ideas, and socialize. I keep thinking of that song from Les Mis, “Empty chairs and empty tables, where my friend will meet no more.”

“Empty chairs and empty tables, where my friends will meet no more.”

But I still have yarn left, so what’s next? Definitely more weaving! And a ramping up of classes at A Place to Weave and The Unruly Stitch.

A Place to Weave is now carrying spinning wheels and fiber! So in addition to my usual classes there, I’m adding Beginning Spinning, Drop Spindle, Color Palettes, and a new Beginning Weaving class. More will be coming in the fall. I’m excited about all the new offerings there!

At The Unruly Stitch, I’m continuing with the 2nd and 4th Mondays. On 12 May, I’m offering Creating Color Palettes twice – once in the afternoon and once in the evening. Other Mondays I’m offering private spinning lessons by appointment. Contact me to schedule something.

And what about in my personal weaving life? Oh, so much! There are a couple scarves in the works and some twill fabric to be used for a surprise coming next spring.

Also, as my kitchen is undergoing a complete redo, I’m making new potholders. I purchased 5 bags of loopers for my son’s Pro potholder loom, enough to make 10 potholders, and have been trying out all sorts of patterns – color and weave, twill, split-loop, clasped-weft and more. Now if the Fairy Godmother of Kitchen Renovations would just wave her wand in the vicinity of my house, we’d be all set!

Black, gray, white and blue potholders for my new kitchen

With closure comes opportunity. I’m onboard.

Tag: brownsheepyarn

WEFT Magazine!

Changes in the works