The Space Coast Weavers & Fiber Artists will meet on Saturday, March 26 at 10 am at the Merritt Island Public Library, 1195 N. Courtenay Parkway. Fonda Haddad of Mims will present a workshop on Knotless Netting.

Knotless netting is a textile technique using looped fibers to create a form without using knots. Dating back to the Ice Age, people have used it to create fishing nets, hammocks, bags, lace and clothing. . Americans may be familiar with Indian Dream Catchers, knotless netting on a circular frame ornamented with feathers. Ojibwe and Lakota traditionally made them to protect sleepers, especially children, by trapping bad dreams in the net, while letting positive dreams through the center opening.

Fonda Haddad is a fourth generation Floridian who has been a fiber artist since the 1980’s. Fonda has a Masters in Art Education and has taught in Brevard schools from elementary through college level. She has taught at John C Campbell Folk School in North Carolina for over 18 years. Her work began with dyeing and batik clothing. Wanting to be more three dimensional, Fonda explored ceramics, basketry and finally gourd crafting. Her gourd work incorporates basketry techniques, netting, carving and woodburning. Examples can be seen at the Downtown Art Gallery in Titusville..

Following a short business meeting and member show and tell, Fonda will lead a workshop using the technique to create a small bowl or mini necklace by covering a gourd with knotless netting. A beaded cord completes the necklace and the bowl can be embellished.. There is a $12 fee for the workshop which includes a prepared gourd, waxed linen yarn, and beads.

SCW&F meetings are free and open to the public, with the exception of workshop fees. Since 1983 SCW&FA has been Brevard’s go to guild for fiber arts: spinning, weaving, basketry, rug hooking,and more.  The guild helps fiber artists, beginning or advanced, learn through workshops and the informal exchange of ideas.  They also work to educate the public about the fiber arts.  For more information call Jeanie McCormack at 321-266-1610…