Seirm members help Whatcom County weavers waulk their newly woven cloth at the 4th Annual Waulking Day held at NW Handspun Yarns in Bellingham.
NW Handspun Yarns is located in a beautiful old building in downtown Bellingham.

Beautiful Day, Beautiful Locale!

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Nina Chambers)

Seirm and Whatcom weavers waulk the tweed outside NW Handspun Yarns shop in Bellingham

Waulking at NW Handspun Yarns

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

Nanag measures the width of the cloth with her knuckles before the waulking begins

A Dozen Knuckles of Cloth

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Nina Chambers)

Nancy Neveln prepares to measure the cloth

Preparing the Cloth

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Penny McLeod DeGraff)

Everyone gathers around the table awaiting instructions

Ready to Begin!

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

Penny McLeod DeGraff explains waulking traditions

The How and the Why of Waulking

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

The weavers are excited to discover there

Forward, Back, Pass, Rest...

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

Nanag leads off with Mairead nan Cuiread

Hi Ri Hoireann O...

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

Nan leads one of several waulking songs

He Mo Leannan, Ho Mo Leannan

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Nina Chambers)

Onlookers are mesmerized by the waulking

Side "Waulk" Superintendants (groan!)

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Nina Chambers)

Sgillinn tells the gossip about Neil Ban and the beautiful maiden in Haidh O, Haidh O

Sharing the Latest Gossip

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

Sgillinn leads a song as Mairi sings from the sidelines

Haidh O, Haidh O

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

Everyone awaits Nanag

Are We Done Yet?

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

Nancy Neveln measures the cloth with her knuckles while shop owner Nancy Bjerke checks it by look and feel

Two Nancys Check the Progress

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

The cloth is a bit stubborn about shrinking, so sing more songs!

Beat with Vigor to Shrink Some More

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

Mairi and Nan give the weavers a chance to work the cloth

Mairi and Nan Sing from the Sidelines

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

Time to smooth and pat the finished cloth while singing a clapping song

Clapping Song

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Ted Neveln)

Nanag blesses the tweed

It's a Wrap!

(Bellingham, Washington, Oct 3rd, 2009 photo: Nina Chambers)

decorative graphichome | top | privacy | site map | site comments© Slighe nan Gaidheal 2010