A Verb for Keeping Warm
Oakland, California
Knitting, spinning, weaving, dyeing, crocheting, sewing and countless other crafts can be considered verbs for keeping warm. Located in Oakland, California, A Verb for Keeping Warm (AVFKW) is the name of a family owned textile studio that includes a retail store, two classrooms, two natural dyeing studios and a natural dye garden. They sell their own line of naturally-dyed yarn as well as other yarns, fibers, fabrics, and natural dyes. This eclectic small business incorporates founders Kristine Vejar and Adrienne Rodriguez's love for textiles, plants, fungi, and community.
Kristine is a textile enthusiast who loves to share her passion in as many ways as she can. In 2015, she published her first book, The Modern Natural Dyer, to teach various applications of natural dyes, including those derived from plants and one insect, cochineal. Projects ranged from jewelry made of dyed wool, knit hats, naturally dyed linen dresses, and more. Textiles, in the form of quilts and sweaters have always been part of Kristine's family’s cultural landscape. She grew up within knitting and quilting circles, where the creation of textiles functioned as a way to create friendships and share stories. Today she tries to recreate and inspire similar connections within her community. Her wife, Adrienne, grew up gardening with her father and was introduced to a variety of plants that shaped her botanical interests. Now living in Northern California, she enjoys the wonders and beauty of mushrooms, and sharing her knowledge of plants and fungi by teaching natural dyeing classes.
A Verb for Keeping Warm may be best known for their naturally dyed signature yarn line. Four of their eight yarn lines support US-based farms and manufacturing. These farm yarns dyed with natural dyes epitomize their spirit of striving to preserve longstanding textile traditions and supporting others working to create a textile-centered art practice.
In October 2020, Kristine and Adrienne are releasing a second book called Journeys in Natural Dyeing: Techniques for Creating Color at Home that dives even deeper than their first book, inspiring the reader to look locally for plants that give color. They are excited for this book because it is again another way to reach a thriving creative community and nurture the tenets of sustainability within textiles.
No matter where you are, AVFKW is here to help you create your dream textiles and garments
A Verb for Keeping Warm
6328 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94608, United States
https://www.averbforkeepingwarm.com/
All photos are courtesy of A Verb for Keeping Warm