my little game plan is to use my little Hokett loom to practice different tapestry techniques.  I have tried doing this on other looms without a real lot of success.  I am hoping that the smaller format will work better for me.  I did start doing this in December when I bought my loom, so here is what has happened so far.

hachure  This is a sample of hachure and now I have weft interlock on the loom:

weft interlock

So, time will tell how well this try at sampling goes.  I have to say that I reall am enjoying weaving on the Hokett, I never tried tapestry on a low-warp loom before.  I have a feeling that before the year is out, I might end up with a tapestry on one of my floor looms.

Anyone else out there that wants to play along, please do.  Lets see what we can do with tapestry this year.

Comments

Joanne Hall

I do something similar when I am teaching beginners.  They make a 4 inch wide warp on the Glimakra frame loom.  There is a nice tensioning bolt so we can tighten the tension very tight, which is helpful for beginners.  With a narrow warp, they learn faster, since they don't have to weave wide.

I see some looseness in your turns.  Try to pull the turn tighter before you bubble the yarn and the tapestry surface will be a flatter.  That is one thing that is hard to learn, but best learned before you develop habits with your fingers.

Your selvages are perfect.  It is just your joinings where the turn is a little loose.

Joanne

theresasc

This is just the kind of critique I am looking for.  It has been challenging for me to get used to manipulating the weft so much with my fingers.  I find tapestry is so much more hands on vs. weaving on a floor loom.

Joanne Hall

It really is the hardest part.  I am teaching another tapestry class for our guild this month and much of the time I watch how they handle the weft.  It is very important that they not develop habits until they handle the weft so that the weaving is flat.  It is especially hard when we move on to a new technique and they are concentrating on getting it correct.  During this concentration, they can sometimes get a bit sloppy on the handling of the weft.   Tapestry takes practice.  But, then it becomes automatic and then you only need to think about the colors and the design.  Then you really get lost in it and time flies by.

Joanne

Artistry

So right Joanne! Thereasc and Joanne , I'll be leading a tapestry study group starting in Feb., if you'd like to join when the time comes.  Your Hockett loom would certainly be welcomed! I was actually thinking of doing a sampler of joins for my first project. I really need to expand my knowledge of those , and , of course, many other things too :) Joanne, you'd be such an asset to this group, please stop by ( or join, hint, hint ) and comment whenever you want !

Cathie

theresasc

look for your group - there is so much to learn and try when it comes to tapestry, especially since I am still trying to stay with stash yarns.  Worked some on the Hokett yesterday, I just cannot believe what a sweet little loom it is.

Joanne Hall

Just let me know when you start.  I will be teaching in Colorado in early February, but i will be here the middle of the month. 

Joanne

Artistry

Great you two ! It will be fun !

Cathie

Group Audience