Lois Macknik, Fiber Artist

Lois Macknik began weaving in 1972, making belts on an inkle loom.  For many years now, she has woven functional items using traditional patterns in contemporary colors.  Placemats and table runners are her most popular items, but she produces a wide variety of items ranging from bookmarks and dollhouse rugs to chenille scarves.  Pieced pillows are made from her handwoven scraps.

Ten years ago she began needlefelting, a dry felting technique.  Starting with washed sheep fleece, you shape it and felt it by stabbing the wool with a special felting needle which is barbed and very sharp.  Appendages, such as legs and ears. are made and attached by needling them on.  Nothing is glued or sewn on.  Lois enjoys making 3-dimensional cats, dogs, birds, character heads, and ornaments because of their unique character.  No two ever look quite the same.

Lois frequently does hands-on demonstrations at historic sites and county fairs in New Jersey, and markets her work at craft shows and museum shops and through this web site.  She does school tours and teaches basket workshops at the Red Mill Museum Village , Clinton.  She has lived in Annandale, NJ since 1991.