Julie Stephenson ‘With the Roof Off’ Cover Revised

African skies; memories woven into my handmade blankets. This beautiful blanket is one of a series; inspired by our journeys in #Tanzania last year.  This adventure with our family was particularly important for me, because I wasn’t sure how I was going to manage with my balance issues since my brain malfunctioned in 2023. Our boys reassured me they would help if I needed help walking; or assistance getting up if I face-planted; so with my family’s support and encouragement, I decided to just go for it and I was journeying again!!!! @idoamazingthings Weaving these blankets is an expression of how grateful I am for my family and how amazing they were helping me; and how with their support, and through taking a leap of faith and being resilient, I DID actually manage and have the most wonderful experiences. The landscape was breathtaking. Seeing the animals in their habitats was humbling. This trip to Africa was significant for me. Love to know in the comments below, what journeys you’ve had that when you look upon them in hindsight, were also significant to you. DM if you are interested in purchasing any of my handwoven blankets. No plastics used in my blankets.  Yarns used; @lichenandlace Rustic Heather Sport from @tribeyarnslife @treliz_colorispower Zeus 100% Merino @labienaimee - Twist Nouveau 100% merino @qingfibre HighTwist BFL from @stephen.and.penelope @spincycleyarns Metamorphic @theurbanpurl Lux Hi Twist Sock from @stephenandpenelope @oystersandpurls 50%BFL/50% Gotland @skeinqueen 4 Ply Fingering @tintica.yarns 100% Spanish Merino Sport @litlg 100% merino singles from @skeinsisters @hedgehogfibres from @skeinsisters #handweaving #handcrafted #uniquegiftideas #handwovenblanket #heirloomquality #keepsake #timelessgifts #travelafrica #safari #artisanmade

Memories of an incredible journey to Africa with my family are woven into this blanket. I’ve used only beautiful pure wool yarns. Have you made or created something from memories of an experience or location? Please ask any questions you have about my weaving. #handweaving #handmade #weaving #weavingart #weavingartist #imadethat #africa #sunsetcolors #itsbeenawhile #handwovenblanket #tanzaniasafari #handdyedyarn

My beautiful studio space. Ready to warp a new #handwovenblanket . I #weave my stories from my experiences into each one.

Ever not knitted a pattern because you thought that it may not suit your shaped body? I raised my hand to that one so many times in the past… but not any more! I loved the #halibutsweater by @boylandknitworks but I knew it needed some mods to fit my shape better, but I didn't know where to start. Enter Milli from @tribeyarnslife who ran a KAL to guide us through adapting the yoke to fit our shape. Yay! AND … learn how to do #intarsia so that the motifs can be knitted using ANY colour instead of the usual stranded colourwork which requires the same colour to be used around the round. Just BRILLIANT! This opened up a whole new way of thinking about using colour for motifs, whilst also having a lighter resultant fabric because the stranding only goes across the motifs and is not carried across between each motif. What a revelation! I also had a play with trying to knit some text… as you can see on the back of my jumper. Just for fun! My ‘fishy jumper’ has become my daily companion on our road trip @idoamazingthings . I am so happy that Caitlin Hunter has designed such a fabulous knit. I’m also so very grateful for Milli through the #kalibut to guide us through how to make modifications on the yoke so that the jumper fits me perfectly, and opened up a new way of looking at the colour of motifs in my knitting. Now I can use what I’ve learned for ANY jumper. Thank you Milli. I’ve used the most gorgeous @uistwool yarn and @artyarns purchased from @tribeyarnslife Anyone else have a jumper that they found they just loved to wear?

Not the planned journey we had imagined! Regardless of the 12 week delay in the arrival of Penny, our 102year old car we love to tour in; we made our alternate journey fun and filled with fabulous experiences and stories! #roadtripping #vintagecar #irelandtravel #northernireland #ballycastle #giantscauseway

#imback #badass #itsbeenawhile Where have I been?? DM to say hi.

My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories. I’ve had adventures on all continents. Slept being rocked by the sea; felt the ice on my skin in both polar regions, and felt the silence of the deserts. I’ve walked stone steps in monasteries at altitudes where each step I’ve taken consciously and mindfully; focussing on treasuring every molecule of oxygen in the rarefied atmosphere. COVID has paused those adventures, but I draw upon my experiences as I navigate adventuring my days in a different way, on our ‘home range’. I recall my steps in Tibet as I walk through our bushland. I am mindful and conscious of my surroundings. I listen. I feel. I feel happy here. I am content. My new stories may not hold the same experiences of connection with others; and may not be of extreme challenges or crazy things  (which I am rather prone to doing! 🙂 ) but they are not less wondrous… as I smell the warm eucalyptus waft from under my feet. I weave my stories, and this story is of my personal journey on my daily walk through our bushland. You can see some of my other woven stories on my website - link in profile. How do you express your life’s stories? . - . - #weaversofinstagram #indiedyedyarn #indiedyed #rigidheddleloomweaving #ashford #inspiredbynature #contentcreator #emotionalbalance #homedeco #handcrafted #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #wellbeing #travellerlife #journeywoman #weavingaustralia

“....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those times in your life when you need a meditative and healing knit. Assookinakii (ass-s-oo-kin-uh-k-EE) means ‘healer’ in the Blackfeet language, thank you to Cut Woods School in Browning, MT for the tradish language support”. –  Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers Knitting this beautiful cowl by Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers for @sistersunitedmt ; WAS healing. As my hands gently formed the repetitive stitches I reflected on the word ‘Assookinakii ‘ - healer. I am a healer. I don’t understand it. It’s something unseen. Something within me which has been recognised by Ngangkari and ‘clever men’ here in Australia; and shaman and healers around the world as we travel. This recognition always has caught me by surprise; as I seem to walk a line between two worlds. As the stitches slipped from one needle to another and the beautiful colours of @spincycle_yarns revealed themselves; in the pauses between the stitches I heard a voice whispering to continue to seek connection with the natural world and listen deeply. What has been healing for you this year? . . . . #healingjourney #meditationpractice #dyedinthewool #assookinakii_cowl #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #livinglifetothefullest #happydays #shaman #healer #healersofinstagram #listentoyourheart #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld

From my kitchen window, I seek both inspiration and nourishment. Each day I gather and harvest from my garden which has nurtured my soul for much of my life, and in particular over the past eight months. As a child I would crave to have my hands in the earth to grow things. As I grew older, those same hands found their way to make and create; to touch; and to heal. Weaving on a rigid heddle loom is a slow process, in the same way that it takes time for plants to grow; (and the time it takes me to pop a post up here on my grid! LOL ) It brings me much joy and a sense of reverence to see plants grow from the seeds I have planted. I am so grateful. What inspires and nourishes you? . . . Yarns used in my  beautiful handwoven blanket; @qingfibre Melted Suri;  Rosemary, Sponge, Emerald. Narwhal @quinceandco Osprey; Bosc, Wasabi @walkcollection Merino Dk; Moss,  Chartreuse @bichesetbuches  Le Petite Lambswool;Medium  Green  Grey @ritualdyes  Mohair; Malachite @madelinetosh Merino Light; Sugar Plum @Walkcollection  Cottage Merino; Manhattan Beach Wave @fusefiberstudio Merino Single; Sunflower @olannmills Merino Singles; Mangrove, Atone . . . #handsandheart #weaversofinsta #gratitude #wellbeing #emotionalbalance #artistry_vision #smallartaccount #artistlife #artoftheday #createeveryday #homedeco #artlove #artlover #inspire #indiedyedyarn #handmade #handcrafted #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #inspiredbynature

African skies; memories woven into my handmade blankets. This beautiful blanket is one of a series; inspired by our journeys in #Tanzania last year.  This adventure with our family was particularly important for me, because I wasn’t sure how I was going to manage with my balance issues since my brain malfunctioned in 2023. Our boys reassured me they would help if I needed help walking; or assistance getting up if I face-planted; so with my family’s support and encouragement, I decided to just go for it and I was journeying again!!!! @idoamazingthings Weaving these blankets is an expression of how grateful I am for my family and how amazing they were helping me; and how with their support, and through taking a leap of faith and being resilient, I DID actually manage and have the most wonderful experiences. The landscape was breathtaking. Seeing the animals in their habitats was humbling. This trip to Africa was significant for me. Love to know in the comments below, what journeys you’ve had that when you look upon them in hindsight, were also significant to you. DM if you are interested in purchasing any of my handwoven blankets. No plastics used in my blankets.  Yarns used; @lichenandlace Rustic Heather Sport from @tribeyarnslife @treliz_colorispower Zeus 100% Merino @labienaimee - Twist Nouveau 100% merino @qingfibre HighTwist BFL from @stephen.and.penelope @spincycleyarns Metamorphic @theurbanpurl Lux Hi Twist Sock from @stephenandpenelope @oystersandpurls 50%BFL/50% Gotland @skeinqueen 4 Ply Fingering @tintica.yarns 100% Spanish Merino Sport @litlg 100% merino singles from @skeinsisters @hedgehogfibres from @skeinsisters #handweaving #handcrafted #uniquegiftideas #handwovenblanket #heirloomquality #keepsake #timelessgifts #travelafrica #safari #artisanmade

Memories of an incredible journey to Africa with my family are woven into this blanket. I’ve used only beautiful pure wool yarns. Have you made or created something from memories of an experience or location? Please ask any questions you have about my weaving. #handweaving #handmade #weaving #weavingart #weavingartist #imadethat #africa #sunsetcolors #itsbeenawhile #handwovenblanket #tanzaniasafari #handdyedyarn

My beautiful studio space. Ready to warp a new #handwovenblanket . I #weave my stories from my experiences into each one.

Ever not knitted a pattern because you thought that it may not suit your shaped body? I raised my hand to that one so many times in the past… but not any more! I loved the #halibutsweater by @boylandknitworks but I knew it needed some mods to fit my shape better, but I didn't know where to start. Enter Milli from @tribeyarnslife who ran a KAL to guide us through adapting the yoke to fit our shape. Yay! AND … learn how to do #intarsia so that the motifs can be knitted using ANY colour instead of the usual stranded colourwork which requires the same colour to be used around the round. Just BRILLIANT! This opened up a whole new way of thinking about using colour for motifs, whilst also having a lighter resultant fabric because the stranding only goes across the motifs and is not carried across between each motif. What a revelation! I also had a play with trying to knit some text… as you can see on the back of my jumper. Just for fun! My ‘fishy jumper’ has become my daily companion on our road trip @idoamazingthings . I am so happy that Caitlin Hunter has designed such a fabulous knit. I’m also so very grateful for Milli through the #kalibut to guide us through how to make modifications on the yoke so that the jumper fits me perfectly, and opened up a new way of looking at the colour of motifs in my knitting. Now I can use what I’ve learned for ANY jumper. Thank you Milli. I’ve used the most gorgeous @uistwool yarn and @artyarns purchased from @tribeyarnslife Anyone else have a jumper that they found they just loved to wear?

Not the planned journey we had imagined! Regardless of the 12 week delay in the arrival of Penny, our 102year old car we love to tour in; we made our alternate journey fun and filled with fabulous experiences and stories! #roadtripping #vintagecar #irelandtravel #northernireland #ballycastle #giantscauseway

#imback #badass #itsbeenawhile Where have I been?? DM to say hi.

My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories. I’ve had adventures on all continents. Slept being rocked by the sea; felt the ice on my skin in both polar regions, and felt the silence of the deserts. I’ve walked stone steps in monasteries at altitudes where each step I’ve taken consciously and mindfully; focussing on treasuring every molecule of oxygen in the rarefied atmosphere. COVID has paused those adventures, but I draw upon my experiences as I navigate adventuring my days in a different way, on our ‘home range’. I recall my steps in Tibet as I walk through our bushland. I am mindful and conscious of my surroundings. I listen. I feel. I feel happy here. I am content. My new stories may not hold the same experiences of connection with others; and may not be of extreme challenges or crazy things  (which I am rather prone to doing! 🙂 ) but they are not less wondrous… as I smell the warm eucalyptus waft from under my feet. I weave my stories, and this story is of my personal journey on my daily walk through our bushland. You can see some of my other woven stories on my website - link in profile. How do you express your life’s stories? . - . - #weaversofinstagram #indiedyedyarn #indiedyed #rigidheddleloomweaving #ashford #inspiredbynature #contentcreator #emotionalbalance #homedeco #handcrafted #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #wellbeing #travellerlife #journeywoman #weavingaustralia

“....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those times in your life when you need a meditative and healing knit. Assookinakii (ass-s-oo-kin-uh-k-EE) means ‘healer’ in the Blackfeet language, thank you to Cut Woods School in Browning, MT for the tradish language support”. –  Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers Knitting this beautiful cowl by Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers for @sistersunitedmt ; WAS healing. As my hands gently formed the repetitive stitches I reflected on the word ‘Assookinakii ‘ - healer. I am a healer. I don’t understand it. It’s something unseen. Something within me which has been recognised by Ngangkari and ‘clever men’ here in Australia; and shaman and healers around the world as we travel. This recognition always has caught me by surprise; as I seem to walk a line between two worlds. As the stitches slipped from one needle to another and the beautiful colours of @spincycle_yarns revealed themselves; in the pauses between the stitches I heard a voice whispering to continue to seek connection with the natural world and listen deeply. What has been healing for you this year? . . . . #healingjourney #meditationpractice #dyedinthewool #assookinakii_cowl #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #livinglifetothefullest #happydays #shaman #healer #healersofinstagram #listentoyourheart #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld

From my kitchen window, I seek both inspiration and nourishment. Each day I gather and harvest from my garden which has nurtured my soul for much of my life, and in particular over the past eight months. As a child I would crave to have my hands in the earth to grow things. As I grew older, those same hands found their way to make and create; to touch; and to heal. Weaving on a rigid heddle loom is a slow process, in the same way that it takes time for plants to grow; (and the time it takes me to pop a post up here on my grid! LOL ) It brings me much joy and a sense of reverence to see plants grow from the seeds I have planted. I am so grateful. What inspires and nourishes you? . . . Yarns used in my  beautiful handwoven blanket; @qingfibre Melted Suri;  Rosemary, Sponge, Emerald. Narwhal @quinceandco Osprey; Bosc, Wasabi @walkcollection Merino Dk; Moss,  Chartreuse @bichesetbuches  Le Petite Lambswool;Medium  Green  Grey @ritualdyes  Mohair; Malachite @madelinetosh Merino Light; Sugar Plum @Walkcollection  Cottage Merino; Manhattan Beach Wave @fusefiberstudio Merino Single; Sunflower @olannmills Merino Singles; Mangrove, Atone . . . #handsandheart #weaversofinsta #gratitude #wellbeing #emotionalbalance #artistry_vision #smallartaccount #artistlife #artoftheday #createeveryday #homedeco #artlove #artlover #inspire #indiedyedyarn #handmade #handcrafted #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #inspiredbynature