How did this happen? Where did November go? I am going to get some weaving in this month come heck or high water, or holidays and parties and other interuptions. Weave on all!

Tina

Comments

Sat, 12/21/2013 - 14:39

endorph

hour or so to go and pick up my new to me spinning wheel. It is a used Schacht Matchless - I am very excited. Then its home to play. It is a grey and gloomy and very wet day here so it is a perfect day to stay indoors and play with fiber!

Sun, 12/22/2013 - 01:32

pammersw

 Here is the tiny 3 inch drop spindle ornament I made in honor of my learning to spin this year. The nickel is for scale.

 

 

spindle ornament

 

Sun, 12/22/2013 - 01:30

endorph

very cute - I thought of doing something similar

Sun, 12/22/2013 - 13:56

tien (not verified)

Ooh, congrats on the new wheel! Those have excellent reputations. Post a photo once you get it?

Sun, 12/22/2013 - 18:06

Erica

I finished weaving off my samples. Now all the looms are empty!

I made some notes for next projects and worked on winding my damask warp. I ran out of balls and tied off the first part of tge warp. Then wound balls for the last part of the warp, it's only 8" side. This will be my first drawloom project. Wish me luck.

Cheers,

Erica

Thu, 12/26/2013 - 16:38

Erica

I'm counting out pattern heddles and putting them on the lingos, aka weights! This is very exciting progress on the drawloom warping front.

I also have several ideas for other samples, hopefully for my Certificate of Achievement! I wound balls so I ca n quickly wind a 10" samlle of avariegated brushed mohair wool.

We also have relatives in from Arizona for the holudays. They brpught me 400 grsms of purple alpaca roving!!! Yum!

Thu, 12/26/2013 - 17:20

ReedGuy

I sewed a satin binding today on my new wool blanket.

Thu, 12/26/2013 - 17:53

theresasc

Going to weave some twill block towels - have them about half threaded.  Cut a dog off that had been lingering for far too long on my big loom a couple of days ago and promptly wound this warp.  I have not cut many warps off without weaving them off, but I just could not face it any longer -  I guess it just was not meant to be. 

 

Fri, 12/27/2013 - 16:28

fibrefare

got a tapestry loom for Christmas and I'm busy getting it set up and ready to use!

Fri, 12/27/2013 - 21:26

Erica

I have a small tapestry warped and ready to go for 2014. I'm going to use a tapestry diary to really begin exploring tapestry techniques! I look foward to seeing what you weave!

Sat, 12/28/2013 - 02:01

sally orgren

I am finally "tensioned" for 2014, and quite happy about it!

Sat, 12/28/2013 - 00:12

ReedGuy

Measuring warp for another twill weave wool blanket with Briggs and Little 'Softspun' Really nice and soft. :)

Sat, 12/28/2013 - 02:17

endorph

all this activity - I have been sick since Christmas Day evening so all my plans for playing with the wheel and getting a warp measured have fallen by the wayside - Hoping to feel better this weekend. . .  In the meantime I will be weaverly vicariously through you!

Sat, 12/28/2013 - 03:42

pammersw

I'm warping for batch 2 of the Christmas scarves! Hope to get 5 done by Wednesday,  but 3 of those for sure. :)

Then it's about 3 or 4 more in the final batch.

Sat, 12/28/2013 - 16:56

Queezle

I finally have a new warp (tiny) on my loom and put on back to front.  Last fall you all suggested it would solve some problems, and I'm embarrassed that it has taken me this long to try.  It isn't perfect (concentrating on some aspect, forgetting others...), and I'm quite tentative with the auto reed hook...  but progress none the less.

Sat, 12/28/2013 - 18:15

Artistry

Redoing the studio with new carpet, will be so cozy on my feet, BUT EVERYTHING has to come out. Looms, books, bookcases, yarns you name it., i even have a pinball machine ! So I've been packing all day. It has been fun to go through my library though, I really do have that book? So this is going to be very disruptive, until they get the carpet in. Time to do a project on twirling girl :)
Sat, 12/28/2013 - 19:38

loomyladi (not verified)

I am essentially moved into my studio.  It's an art coop, just 5 miles from home.  I have plenty of space with some flexibility, classroom space available, and I can sell/display in the gallery.  We don't get alot of walk-in traffic, but I'm told that they get a decent turnout when events are planned.  I've been weaving on the 8H Purrington, and working on winding a dishtowel warp.  Took the time to give my Fanny a little TLC with some new cords (compliments of my boyfriend "loom guru"), a good wipe down with murphys and Howards Feed & Wax, boy does it look pretty.  A considerable amount of time has been spent, moving, sorting, arranging, organizing, etc.  Only about 1/3 of my library is in the new studio, the rest will make the move as necessary.  I still have not located my fringe twister, project sheets/books, and electric bobbin winder.  I suspect that they may all be in the same box, at least I'm hoping they are. 

Sat, 12/28/2013 - 20:11

ReedGuy

Winding warp today, just working on the spreader and lease sticks are in. Been shopping a bit today also for some superfine merino and some linen yarn. I also placed an order for a Leclerc endfeed shuttle to try along with their metal end maple pirns (4). I'd make my own shuttle, but just don't seem to have time right now. I also ordered a new Incra table saw fence, my old fence is shot after 16 years. The table saw company doesn't make them that way anymore. The incra is super precise in comparison. Anyway, there goes 10 Prime Minister Bordens from my hands. (you'll figure it out) ;)

Sat, 12/28/2013 - 20:32

Erica

Oliver installed the warping valet he made for me today!

Sat, 12/28/2013 - 20:35

Erica

Here are the 5 warp chains for my next sample warp. Playing with plain weave, twill, including false satin.

Sat, 12/28/2013 - 21:30

sally orgren

It's been over a month, so it is *GREAT* to be weaving on a floor loom again.

I have to hurry and finish this 5-6 yard warp. Next up is Echo Weave in February, Crimp Cloth in March (with Diane Totten), and the conclusion of the color challenge. (My inspiration was Paul Klee.)

Oh, and if I can muster up something interesting, maybe an entry for Convergence, which would be due in Februrary I think.

Sat, 12/28/2013 - 22:36

endorph

flurry of activity -  so far today my weaverliness has consisted of a trip out to my LYS and buying a variable dent heddle set for my Flip - woohoo! Oh and some yarn and knitting needles cuz they have a sale going right now and I just needed to buy. . . .

Sun, 12/29/2013 - 08:10

ReedGuy

I have my warp all wound and ready to thread.

 

Winding with lease sticks over the back beam. Raddle is spreading the warp ends.

 

Tensioning using breast beam and wrapping warp bouts.

These are snapshots of video I'm making to load onto Youtube. :)

Sun, 12/29/2013 - 02:57

sally orgren

...that's impressive. Looks like you have great studio light, too.

And I forgot to mention that I STILL haven't figured out how to use my auto denter, Queezle!

I popped back on to post I wove one dishtowel this evening after an extended break for dinner. At this rate, I'll have the warp off in two days. (Well, maybe not. Tomorrow is a side trip to NYC museums.)

Okay, maybe before New Years ;-)

Sun, 12/29/2013 - 06:45

pammersw

Finished scarf one of batch two. It's dark purple.  Half warped fot scarf two of batch two, in blues. I will finish it tomorrow and start number three, in dark blues. Hope to have it done by bedtime. Then an orange one in the evenings after work....!

Sun, 12/29/2013 - 12:26

Artistry

ReedGuy, That's one heck of a loom! Love to see the U tube.
Sun, 12/29/2013 - 13:09

ReedGuy

Yup, I'm still working on it because I want to show from start to finish, the process of making my blanket.

Sun, 12/29/2013 - 15:24

rosearbor (not verified)

I'm looking forward to your video.  Your loom is a work of art...

Sun, 12/29/2013 - 20:59

theresasc

I wound a warp with 3 bold colors and am crossing with 5 pastels - there is some fun color interaction going on here.  It should keep me interested through out the warp.  The Bluster Bay shuttle is a new-to-me, one of my holiday gifts to myself!

twill blocks

Sun, 12/29/2013 - 21:35

Erica

Those are some great colour interactions. The end feed shittle is beautiful as well. I need to practice winding pirns again, so I can use my end feed shuttle more often!

Sun, 12/29/2013 - 21:58

ReedGuy

Great stuff theresa. :)

I threaded my blanket warp today, reed and tie-up tomorrow, and then start swinging the beater and tramping treadles. Oh, I guess I have to throw the shuttle to. ;)

Wind them pirns. :D

Sun, 12/29/2013 - 22:55

Artistry

Theresasc , Wonderful color, the lights just float on top! ReedGuy, I can here the tromp and womp from here! Erica, the EFS once I learned how, I've never looked looked back. The studio is completely empty, awaiting new carpet. It looks huge, I'll have to give some good thought as to where things go before putting things back in. Of course there always not having 3 projects going at the same time. Nah, we'll pitch the last idea:)
Mon, 12/30/2013 - 03:33

ReedGuy

A large empty space can soon be made to look small when it's loaded with weaving 'toys'. ;)

Mon, 12/30/2013 - 05:14

Cadenza

I guess they're placemats? I don't have a table though. I used my aunt's REALLY nice sewing machine last night to hem them. They still need to be washed,  but they are off, hemmed and my loom is waiting for me to figure out what to do next. Waffle weave towels for the kitchen perhaps?  But I want a couple more colors and have to wait to order them until another paycheck comes in. I have also been teaching my step son how to use a bead loom. So even if I'm not weaving there is crafting to be done. 

Looks like there's a thread to be clipped still. 

First project!

Mon, 12/30/2013 - 05:16

pammersw

Have finished the first and second scarves of batch two. Warping for the third was delayed when I pulled the wrong end out of a skein and tried to stuff it back in, snarling the yarn. It took two of us working together an hour to untangle it so I could wind a ball!  But the warp is measured and ready to go on the loom after work tomorrow. 

Mon, 12/30/2013 - 08:42

ReedGuy

What I always do with a skein is find the loop where a single thread wraps the skein, then follow it up to the knot. With the thread in my pinky I then clip the knot. I always have the right end. I also don't bother winding my blanket wool. Just use the swift, I can place two skeins on at a time with the tail ends coming off in the same direction. If I was to have something like linen in skeins I would then wind onto a spool. I think member and yarn shop owner Michael White from Georgia gets linen on skeins from India. I would wind those because it is finer thread. And I have not worked with linen so don't know how it would behave. I never have trouble with my blanket wool.

 

 

Mon, 12/30/2013 - 14:17

pammersw

Technically,  I'm not sure skein is the right word.  It was one of those crosswound elongated ball skein things knitting yarn comes in. A fluffy bamboo yarn, almost a chenille. Should be a wonderful werf for a scarf, nice and soft! I don't have a swift, and my bobbin winder uses a drill, so I have to untangle things before winding a bobbin - hence the balls. Easier to stop the hand crank when a tangle is encountered,  than it is to stop the drill.

(Pictures a bobbin with a tangled skein on one side, whipping around...!)

I get all the yarn ready for the project at once, then put away the ball winder and such, and store everything for that project in a gallon ziplock bag, because I am working in the dining room and living room, which are still used for their original purposes. ;)

Mon, 12/30/2013 - 16:43

ReedGuy

Ah yes. Well one does what they have to with what they have. ;) Then there are other family members that begin to wonder if it's time to make an addition on the house or building all to itself to remain sane. :D :)

Mon, 12/30/2013 - 17:00

sally orgren

Your finished project looks GREAT, and the weft picks are very even. (I remember your working on your beat in an earlier post.) I really like the white inset borders in your design. (Many wouldn't think of adding that small little touch. More often, one just winds a solid colored warp, and crosses it with a solid colored weft in contrast in the beginning.) Your fabric should get even better when washed!

And I also liked Theresac's recent post for the color interaction the structure provides. I have been thinking about something similar for the same reason — to make a few colors look like many!

I wove 1/2 of a towel in 1 hour yesterday, using 5 shuttles, 2 alternating for the body of the cloth, with 3 as accents. I hope to improve my time today. I have a bunch of podcasts saved from the CBC radio show Ideas. They did a three part series on color (make that "colour" of course! ;-) which I am totally enjoying!

Mon, 12/30/2013 - 18:11

theresasc

for all the great comments about the twill block towels.  The colors are fun, of course I did try one color that was UGLY, had to take that out and try something else.

Cadenza - great first project!  Really nice selvages, I still struggle with those.

Sally - I like your shadow weave, it has to be nice for you to be back on a floor loom, those are really nice looking shuttles too!

As for studio room, you can always do what I did - buy a bigger house!  LOL  I went from a small home, 750 sq. feet to a huge condo, 1900 sq. feet with a huge loft.  My weaving loft is 13' x 21' with an 8' x 8' "closet" for storage:  yarn, weaving library, spinning wheel, fiber and stuff.  I managed to fill it all too, which somtimes I am kind of embarassed about, but mostly I revel in it:-)

weaving loft

Mon, 12/30/2013 - 21:11

ReedGuy

That room is huge, spoiled is the word. :D But I have lots of 12 and 14 foot square rooms in this old farm house with 'stuff'. :D

Weaving away on my wool blanket. :)

Tue, 12/31/2013 - 08:55

Erica J

I love the bobbin winder, Pammersw. 

Theresasc, that is a shedload of space! I love my studio, but jt could bevlarger. When the adjacent sunroom needs redoing, we're going to combine it with the studio to extend my useable space, can't store yarn or anything wood in a sun room!

Tue, 12/31/2013 - 13:56

Queezle

I'm nearly breathless from looking at all the amazing stuff you regulars do every day!  The color and weave effect twill blocks -- is that from the Nov/Dec Handwoven?  I've had my eye on that, yours is amazing.

My goal for 2014 is to do at least a little weaving each week, and to put on at least 12 warps (averaging one a month).  That will be an enormous up-tick in activity for me, but should be achievable. 

Tue, 12/31/2013 - 14:32

La La

Hi. Is that a regular drill bit on your drill, and what kind of bobbin are you using so that a bit will fit? I am having a hard time rigging up a bobbin winder. Right now I am using a cut off paint brush in a SLOW hand drill and it's not working well....
Tue, 12/31/2013 - 15:07

sally orgren

They say you should do on New Year's Day what you hope to be doing for the rest of the year. I expect to hear all those beaters whumping from coast to coast to coast and across the equator!

Happy New Year!

Tue, 12/31/2013 - 14:57

Artistry

Happy thought Sally ! Although my studio is all torn up, I'm taking my little Mirrix ( tapestry loom) and work on it in the dining room. Where's there's a will there's a way! Happy New Year to All of You Too! Cathie
Wed, 01/01/2014 - 04:47

ReedGuy

LaLa measure the hole of your bobbins and get some galv or stainless rod near that diameter at the hardware store. Just tighten it onto the chuck and maybe put a washer on first before slipping the bobbin on. If it's not on firm just use a wrap of masking tape up near the washer. That way it will go on easy at first and fit snugly up by the washer. The washer will prevent the bobbin from being damaged or if a pirn is wound won't snag the yarn.

Tue, 12/31/2013 - 16:33

Erica J

I am not familiar with the saying about New Year's Day Sally! Thanks for sharing, I should be warping up the drawloom much of tomorrow. I hope to do a lot of damask weaving in 2014, so should be a good start!

Thanks for the tip ReedGuy. You lot really are engenous!

Here is a photo of one of the many samples I've keep droning on about! This group really has helped get me in the studio more often!

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