When I was twisting fringes on a scarf, where the warp was every other thread dark, every other light, I figured I would have to seperate the two colours, so the fringes wouldn't just be a muddle. Now admittedly this was a bit time-consuming, BUT I then realized that the transition between the fabric and the fringes were just so much nicer and in balance. The fringes were sitting so snugly close to the fabric.
Now I know this probably sounds silly to most people, and to those of you who go for speed and efficienct absolutely ridiculous. But for me this was a little revelation, and I just had to share this discovery with you (if you haven't all figured it out before?, I just never saw this mentioned anywhere). But for that special scarf or shawl, I'd actually consider doing it again :-)
Ellen
I think you are exactly right! Imagine those fringes all barber poled versus what you did ... your fringes compliment the scarf much more than they would otherwise. Now may I ask about your red waste yarn? Why do you do this and not use tabby for the first 2-3 picks? Liese
Hi Liese,
Well, I always start out any new weaving with a couple of picks of another yarn (from little bits of leftovers you always have lying around) preferably in a contrasting colour, and preferably something very smooth when I plan on fringes.The first because it is often easier to spot possible mistakes in the set up, I find, and the second so it is easier to slide out the yarn 10 or 12 threads at a time, when I get to twisting. And very often I do patterns where there are no tabby shafts, as with this scarf, for example.
I suppose you do many things just because that's the way you learned it in the first place and never considered any other alternatives. That's one of the things that is so great about this Weavolution : you come across so much inspiration :-)
And what I especially liked about these fringes was the very nice way they seemed to be balanced and close to the fabric, when I tied the first half-knot.
Ellen
Well, I think you've given me enough reasons to try your method with the waste yarns and compare the finishing to what I've been doing. I've been hemstitching, so my fringe bouts are all ready to go but that gives me a different edge to my pieces than what I see on yours. Sometimes it's the little details that make a difference. Liese
Glad to have inspired you to try :-)
I have tried hemstitching a few times, when first following instructions from a Handwoven draft, but never liked it much, and don't consider it necessary with the method I use.
I looked for examples of your scarves, but didn't see any. But what a wonderful place You have got :-)
Ellen
Hi, Ellen--
Do you use a fringe twister -- a thing with clips that you attach to the yarns -- or do you twist by hand?
I also use contrast yarn as a weft protector until I'm ready to deal with fringe or hem -- which can be weeks or months after it's off the loom.
I like the effect you achieved by separating colours. Thanks for the tip. Do you have another photo that shows the whole project finished?
Kurt
Hi Kurt,
I twist by hand. I do not think of twisting as a burden, I rather like sitting there quietly enjoying the last phase of finishing a scarf that I have put much time and thought and effort into :-)
I'll post the best photo I have got so far, The scarf is still waiting for steam pressing before I take THE finished picture.
-I'll come back with that later, if you are interested :-)
Ellen
Not sure if this reply is to me but if it is, thanks very much, we do feel very fortunate. Someday this winter my husband promises to update my website section of handspuns and handwovens ... it takes me hours to deal with it. I come to the computer to take a break and relax , working on the website doesn't do that <G>. Liese
Please come back later with the grand finale. Or if you add this to your projects page, I will look for it there.
I think the fringe twisters look like fun, so I finally decided to order one. Maybe it will allow me to keep track of my twist counts more easily, so my twists will look more consistent.
Kurt
Hi Liese,
It was :-) And I can understand your attitude to the world of computers. I am a bit of a pc-illiterate myself, but have fallen in love with Weavolution.
I'll look forward to seeing more of your fiberwork later, then. Will you tell me, when there is more to see? :-)
Ellen
I'll add it to my projects,when I have it ready, then :-)
I looked in on yours, but did not see any fringes on the photos. Let me know how you like the twister, when you have had the experience, please.
Ellen
You are too kind, my pieces aren't terribly exciting in comparison to many of you here but once the fall shows have ended I'll see how to get a portfolio up on this site. Hopefully with fewer pieces to photograph and a fatter bank account! Liese
Hi Ellen,
You're right, this is the perfect finish for that scarf; it complements - rather than distracting from - the delicacy of the weave structure. For another type of scarf, one being well-fulled or brushed, for example, the quicker mottled fringe might work just fine, but special projects deserve special treatment - it's time well spent. I look forward to a picture of the finished product!
Best,
G
This is a great idea. I have a post somewhere in this forum on my experiments with adding some pizazz to fringe, but I never thought about doing it your way for shadow weave. I really like it and will try it the next time I make a shadow weave scarf or blanket.
I used the fringe twister for part of one side of a blanket so far. I'm twisting just two fringes together at a time, so it's not going fast, but it's quite fun and looking good. I'll add a photo to my Tweedy Lap Blanket project when I'm done.
I have a 2-clip model, and it tends to stall sometimes when I don't keep the bar parallel to the floor as I turn it. I'm wondering if the 3- and 4-clip models might keep their alignment better while turning.
For this yarn, I'm turning the yarns 16 times in the direction of the plying, then I put the 2 twisted yarns together on one clip and turn in the opposite direction 10 times. Some directions advise to just let the twisted yarns twist back on themselves, but the directions with this model say to twist back half as many times as you twist forward. I know 10 is not half of 16, but it seems to work best with 10 back--probably something to do with the original plying of the yarn and/or how I manipulate the yarn as I'm tying the overhand knot.
Kurt
Hi Kurt,
Sounds like you are pleased with the twister, then. I must admit that to me it sounds as if it is more work using it than doing it by hand. But of course if the result is better... I find that it only takes me a few moments to twist a fringe, and I don't have to clip and unclip and count and hold anything. Just my fingers and the yarn.
I'll be looking out for you blanket on the projects page :-)
Ellen
"I have a 2-clip model, and it tends to stall sometimes when I don't keep the bar parallel to the floor as I turn it. I'm wondering if the 3- and 4-clip models might keep their alignment better while turning."
Look for a 3-clip with the clips arranged in a triangular shape... (like mine, which at the moment can only be seen on the Swedish version of my website)
Hi guys, I've started a thread related to the fringe twisters so we don't lose track of good information within projects. Here is the link. www.weavolution.com/node/6318
Kurk and Kerstin...may I copy and paste your comments in the fringe twister thread listed above so we have this great conversation in one place?
Please and thank you!
Deb
Kerstin's tri-twister is here. I have never seen one like that on this side of the pond.
Kurt
OK, but you have to call me Kurt instead of Kurk.
duh, sorry for the renaming!
Okay, here's my scarf after I cut it off the loom. (click picture for larger view) For this project I am using twisted fringe as described in the instructions for the log cabin pattern found at
http://www.schachtspindle.com/Newsletters/Newsletter2005Spring.htm
Working groups of 5 strands, 2 of one color and 3 of the other, I twisted the group of 2 tightly, twisted the group of 3 tightly, twisted those 2 groups tightly in the other direction and tied a knot to make it 6 inches long. Read the newsletter. Note: The newsletter describes making a table runner, I just changed dimensions to allow for a 6 inch by 72 inch scarf.
Next step will be to wet finish.
Have a good day!
Hi.
That looks really good. I read your description, and looked at the link. And this makes me wonder : Do you really twist first one and then the other, and then twist the two together? ?
I take the two groups of threads in each hand (after tying a half-knot) and start twisting the right one clockwise, and at the same time keep putting the right one over the left one, until I reach the end both, and then tie a knot. (This results in both strands being twisted the same, as it is alternating strands I have in my right hand). I hope this makes sense. These things seem harder to describe than do :-)
Nice scarf!
Ellen
Well, I did just that.
I twisted one group clockwise until it felt tight, I kept the yarn taut so it would not kink on itself. Then I twisted the second group clockwise, holding the first group twisted and tight. Then holding the two groups, I twisted those groups together counterclockwise, then knotted them.
The opposing twist tension holds the twisted fringe in place.
Which makes sense to me because I also spin fiber and this is how spun yarn single ply is turned into two or three ply, the ply twist is opposite of the spin twist for best structure.
Your turning process sounds interesting. I worry that it won't hold up to wear as long as the twisting process.
Have a good day!
Like Franco, I twist as spinners spin and ply. I put the ends or groups of ends in the clips of the twister and twist in the direction that the yarn was plied, i.e., adding twist, then I gather the twisted ends together under tension in one clip, and twist in the opposite direction, about 50-60% as much as the first twist--aiming to match the diagonal angle of the original yarn, so it's balanced.
I'm much less 'scientific' when I'm doing it than when I'm describing it.
Pippin
Interesting...I twist fringes with sort of a combination. I hold one group in each hand and twist them both at the same time in the direction of ply (adding twist), then switch hands, then twist, then switch, twist, switch, etc. For example, if ply direction is twisting clockwise, I roll both groups (one in each hand, remember) between my fingers to add twist, then switch the strands left under right. I use my pinky finger to pull the left strand over.
This way, the twisting and the plying is done all at the same time, and I don't have to try to hold one strand taut while twisting the other :)
That is exactly what I do, and tried to describe above, only you seem to have done it a lot better!! And I find it very easy and quick to do. Great to heear that I am not the only one :-)
Ellen
Hi Ellen,
I am still always impressed by your beautiful cloth. Where did you get this beautiful pattern/ draft and how many shafts you have woven. I'm looking forward to see it at the project site. But mayby you can already give me a hint .
Greetings from windy Germany!
Kristina
Hi,
I am sorry I have not answered for so long. I have been away for 15 days. Thanks for your interest in the scarf, I'll post it as a project as soon as I get my suitcase unpacked ;-)
Ellen
For those of you who wanted to see the scarf I was making the fringes on, when I started this thread, I have posted it on the Projects page. Sorry for the long delay, I have been away for some weeks.
Here is the finished scarf, for those of you who asked to see the end result. More info on the projects page, where the picture is also much better.
Wonderfull weaving, Ellen!
Thank you for the Informations on the project page. Now I´ve got a new weaving book on my wish list .
I have never tried shadow weave. Another new thing on my todo list :O)
Kristina
Ellen:
Your scarf is so lovely and I loved the discussion about twisting the fringes. I have been twisting the one at a time method for years and years and years -- TONS of twisted fringes. I had never thought about doing both at once! I'll have to give it a try! Thanks for the new idea!
Suzy
ps I can't find this scarf on your project page. I'd love to know more -- draft - width/length, etc.
Hi, Suzy,
glad you liked it. As with so many things here on Weavo it is great to hear about other weavers' ideas and methods and thinking!
I'm no good at setting up these "magic links" that people here do. But if you go to my page and find projects it is just called "wool scarf". I hope you find it. Otherwise let me know, I can PM you with information, if you prefer.
Ellen
Thank you Ellen! I must be daft!!! I was looking at the projects on your profile page (which I now realize were only recent projects.) I didn't realize there was a tab to hit for project notebook to see all the projects you have posted. Your work is lovely and very inspirational.
It is so wonderful that Weavolution has made our weaver's world so much more intimate. How amazing it is to be able to share with people around the globe!
Hi, Suzy,
Glad you found it. I agree with you, I find it a daily delight to communicate with all these wonderful people from all over the world. I liked you recently posted scarves, too, and I think I actualle posted a comment on one of them But I often find it a little disturbing that we don't get a reminder if there are comments in connection with the projects. I am afraid to miss a pleasant remark or a question I would want o answer. But I'm glad you posted here.
Ellen
It's really easy to do that Ellen. Just look at the link you want to include, select and copy the url at the top of your browse (the http thing) and then just paste into your message. If you want to get fancy, instead of just pasting the url you can just type what you want to turn into a link (for example, your lovely twill scarf project), drag the mouse over those words to select it, click the the hyperlink button .png){kind=small}
and paste the url. So instead of us seeing http://www.weavolution.com.... the link is simply "twill scarf project".
I usually open a second browser to find the links I want to paste, so I don't lose my place in the forum.
If you need any additional help, let me know.
Hi Tina,
Thank you very much for your informative message. I'll try to learn all these fancy things eventually ;-) and I am working at it.
What I was missing, however was this great service from the Weavolution site that sends me a mails saying there is a comment... and where it is, like how I immediately found this from you after having been away for the holidays for three weeks, so sorry for the delayed response!
But I'll be sure to use your information next time I sit there and wish I could be as smart as everybody else (grin)
Happy New Year, a little late but still...
Ellen
Computers were my job for 26 years, so I'm fairly quick at learning that stuff. But just picking up a tip here and there adds up a lot over time -- just like learning new things with weaving!
