Happy New Year! Its hard to believe another year is gone - looking forward to a weaverly year ahead. Everyone has been so productive over the last few months - actually all year - good job! Looking forward to all the projects to come in the weeks to come.  Weave on everyone!

Tina

Comments

Wed, 01/15/2014 - 01:31

tien (not verified)

Hi Kerstin,

 

I find that having the color order is really useful when doing simple threadings like straight draw or point threadings - it helps me distinguish between adjacent shafts. (I am incredibly prone to repeating the same shaft twice, skipping a shaft, etc.)

 

And it is useful for sleying any threading that repeats in units of four or nearly-four, because the color order remains the same throughout the threading - red, yellow, blue, green. For example, sleying S&W in groups of two or four is very easy and quick - if in groups of four, I simply grab every red heddle (shaft #1), if in groups of two, I alternate between grabbing a red heddle and a yellow one (shaft #2). For me this is a lot faster than constantly trying to figure out which is shaft #1 and shaft #2. Color-coding is quicker for me than reading the number.

 

It turns out that you don't need a gazillion more heddles (at least, I don't find I do). With 24 shafts, I could simply shift the heddles from another shaft with the same color heddle. (I can see how on 16 shafts that might be more difficult.) For S&W, I put red + blue on shaft #1 and yellow + green on shaft #2 - I could still distinguish between the two shafts and I didn't need to order more heddles.

 

I find that treadling the threading is better for accuracy than for speed. If I were doing a complex threading where it's difficult to detect errors (network drafting for example), I'd treadle the threading. But for simple threadings, I do it without the computer...

 

Does that help, I hope? (And you are far from being a "dumb Swede"!)

Thu, 01/16/2014 - 16:47

kerstinfroberg

- and when it comes to the cm, I am always changing the # of hung shafts, too - and then I would have to "worry" about which one to put back, too... (I do the unthinkable: take them off with heddles still on. No they won't fall off, because of this. Yes, it says lease sticks, but it also says "everything that needs securing". Swe shaft bars have horizontal holes, just for securing heddles.)

Thu, 01/16/2014 - 18:02

Erica J

Thanks Kerstin! This will be very useful. I wish I had seen this before we moved house! Ah well I know now! :)

Thu, 01/16/2014 - 19:16

tien (not verified)

Thank you for posting a picture of your heddle organizer! I looked at it and realized I could improvise something similar by using the hoops on my sectional beam. I have over 600 "loose" heddles to contend with right now so this will be extremely helpful. Thanks!

Thu, 01/16/2014 - 20:21

ReedGuy

Yes, a cord on the shaft bars (upper and lower) run through the end holes ensures the heddles stay on when moving shafts on my CM loom as well. But I usually remove them (heddles) just the same, if I'm taking shafts off. :)

Fri, 01/17/2014 - 00:25

loomyladi (not verified)

finally started on a set of waffle towels.  I'm really liking the way they look.  It has been on of those warps that each step needed to be completed multiple times due to operator error.  As much as I love my studio space, I wish people would leave me alone!  Distractions result in errors.  Threading was actually great with only 3 places of crossed threads when sleyed.  I've done some sampling and I'm pleased.  Back to the studio tomorrow to weave, work on warp on Purrington and plan my Inkle weaving class for February.

Fri, 01/17/2014 - 15:45

loomyladi (not verified)

Yes Reed Guy.  A pattern from Handwoven (I'll look for issue etc when go to the studio shortly).  I have put these on my LeClerc Fanny.  A different pattern than I used on my magenta dyed waffle towels last month.  So far I like it.  Would prefer to do these on a jack loom, just don't have one available at the moment.

Sat, 01/18/2014 - 01:19

loomyladi (not verified)

Reed Guy the pattern is Handwove Sept/Oct 2009

Sat, 01/18/2014 - 04:22

Cadenza

I guess there will only be crocheting this weekend.  UPS is incompetent and couldn't find my house so no yarn until Monday! (I have had various issues with them in the past. Last package was left on the hood of a car in the driveway. Said car had out-of-state plates. Seems a secure place to leave it...

I have been having trouble with the tie-up cords on my Nilus. Are they always super hard to get through the eyes on the loom, or are these special? The treadles are easy.  It's the tops. They are also mixed lengths,  some are not long enough to fully open the shed.

Sat, 01/18/2014 - 08:10

pammersw

Monday's a holiday in the U.S. for many companies.  You might have to wait till Tuesday. 

Sat, 01/18/2014 - 10:00

Erica J

Yeah do not miss UPS antics! They left a computer on my front porch one time. Driver dropped it off sogned the hand set and took off. He didn't even knock I was actually home at the time, so no readon to do it!!!

I have Monday off and am looking foreard to an extra day to cuddle TJ and studio time!!! Might try teaching him to spin again. :)

Sat, 01/18/2014 - 21:36

theresasc

or lack of.  It seems that I have the attention span of a 3-year old when it comes to weaving.  I have a tapestry that is going okay on the Tissart, some fun block twill towels on the Cranbrook, a really lovely advancing twill scarf on the 8-shaft Kessenich, so what do I do?  I sat down between yesterday and this morning and put together a design for towels on a variation of point twill.  I had to add heddles to a couple of frames on the 6-shaft Kessenich and have now started winding a warp using some 10/2 organic cottons that I picked up at MAFA a few years back.  I am really going to try to concentrate on using stash yarns this year (of course, I say this EVERY year - LOL).  Good thing I sold the other floor loom a couple of weeks ago, or who knows what would be going on that!  Its snowing, again, so its the perfect day to spend in the loft.

Sat, 01/18/2014 - 21:53

ReedGuy

Erica, I was thinking with that mohair, that one might not use lease sticks with it. But just a Raddle to get it beamed. I'm thinking the lease sticks would cause a lot of fuzzing up as the ends cross through the sticks and drag on neighboring ends. Secure the raddle back on the uprights very near the warp roller, so the pegs are 90's to the loom frame. I'm talking about a loom with similar frame construction to a Glimakra Standard.

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 01:25

pammersw

I will definitely finish this soon, maybe tonight!

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 05:14

sally orgren

And the back beam rod gave way! The warp went ka-boing. But, I managed to turn around this weave-fail by relashing the rod and getting the tension back. Whew! Just enough to finish the last pattern repeat.
Sun, 01/19/2014 - 11:17

Erica J

Wooh, nice save Sally!!!

Thanks fir the advice Reed Guy. I did take the lease sticjs out for beaming. Given what you said I'll probably leave them out for weaving too!

Fortunately Oliver J found my pattern shaft support bars! They and 5 pattern shafts are on the Glimakra. I just need 5 more pattern shafts and I'm ready to make the final adjustments on my drawloom warp!!!!

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 11:55

endorph

Sally - looking forward to seeing the wet finished piece

Good luck with the mohair Erica - I did a mohair warp once and ended up combing ti for the most of the length of the weave to get rid of the hair build up but the finished product was wonderful.

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 12:25

ReedGuy

I would wind with a cross as usual and have sticks in long enough to spread the warp in the raddle at least. I'd leave the raddle in until the heddles were sleyed to, but set it up on the back beam after beaming. You'd at least have the groups to work from and not have a tangled up mess.

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 16:03

theresasc

with sticky yarns is to wind with 2 crosses, a raddle cross and a threading cross with no lease sticks.  Use the raddle cross to spread the warp, beam on and when you come to the treading cross, insert lease sticks and thread off them.  Worked well for me with some very sticky and hairy wool.

Sally, nice save on the beam rod, that kind of stuff drives me nuts!

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 16:20

Erica J

Major Victory today! I have all the pattern heddles on their shafts and tied up! I just have to tie up the treadles (only 4) and adjust the shed and I'll be weaving damask, and with this tie up and resleying I could do samitum as well!!!!!!!!

I'm so close I can taste it! It will be tempting to go back to the studio after TJ goes to bed, but I know I shouldn't. Every time I try to work on this when I'm tired I don't get it right! I have tomorrow off so I should just wait until TJ's morning nap! :)

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 17:33

theresasc

Good for you, look forward to seeing how things go for you.

I finished winding the warp that I had no business winding in the first place.  The organic cotton sure looks pretty against my cherry loom:-)

 

organic cotton towels

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 17:45

Erica J

Beautiful Teresa! It's great to challenge yourself, isn't it?

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 18:21

Queezle

Sally, I had just the same problem with my twill sample, and also managed a save! 

My second twill sample is done, finished -- so interesting to see the difference that is made by a 20% denser sett.  Am now trying my second B2F warping with another sample (summer & winter this time).

Oh I love that organic cotton! 

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 19:05

pammersw

Yay! After 3 days and five tries...

(Vs one five minute effort on another site...)

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 21:00

ReedGuy

Looks like your scarf is turning out really nice pammersw. Is this merino wool? I forget. :)

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 00:10

pammersw

I don't think I said! It's Patons Classic Wool Worsted, in moss heather, for the warp, and l Love This Wool Naturals,  in cocoa, for the weft. So wool, but not merino.

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 01:16

sally orgren

...because the Wandering Vine Honeycomb is completed! It was just a long sample (16/2 warp and weft, one pattern repeat, 1.5 yards long). I love it! Here it is, laying next to a traditional overshot treading in 10/2 cotton, 5/2 pattern weft, woven by guildmate Jerri Shankler.

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 01:12

loomyladi (not verified)

What? Another loom?  Why, of course.  Too good to pass up!  An older Glimakra, weaving width is 53" (yeah I should know in cm, but I don't).  Currently a 4H.  It has been well cared for and loved.  I'm quite excited!  Todays weaverliness was working on my towels, and prepping the studio for the big move tomorrow. 

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 01:13

loomyladi (not verified)

It is lovely!  What are the plans?  Is it any different to work with than other cotton?

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 01:40

endorph

I really like this - thank you fro showing ti next to the mor traditional route!

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 03:06

endorph

wheel this evening - I have also been practicing on the spindle. This is my second project on the wheel. (I am not counting my 1 day intro class project!)

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 07:31

Cadenza

That purple yarn looks amazing!  Do you have plans for it? I hope we get to see more of it! 

 

 Please, please, please let UPS have half a brain tomorrow! According to their voice messages when you call,  they are running a full schedule, and according to the guy I spoke with, the address confusion should be cleared up now, and my yarn and fleece should arrive tomorrow. Please, please, please! Unfortunately, I won't really believe it until I have my package in hand. 

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 09:41

Erica J

Lovely weaving Pammersw and Sally! Great yarn as well!

The drawloom is all tied up and it is final adjustment dsy! The guys just got up from the morning nap, so I'm off to spend time with the family this holiday Monday!

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 10:40

ReedGuy

Sally, I like both of your woven cloths. Nice!

endorph, your yarn looks real fine. Is plying a secondary process after spinning? A fine plied yarn is nice to have access to. :)

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 10:44

ReedGuy

Pammersw, whats the grist of your wool (YPP)? :)

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 11:34

Artistry

Sally, It's really interesting to see your sample next to the traditional. I love how the honeycomb just puffed up and the cells bent. Very cool! Tina your spinning is beautiful! It looks so fine! Georgia is coming along. But mostly I'm mounting tapestries onto their frames. The frame is covered with several layers of fabric, fine and smooth. It seems everyone has their own combo , but I use a thin layer of quilters batting, then muslin ,then a really nice piece of fabric which will show off the tapestry. This all gets stretched over a wooden frame and staple gunned, mite red corners, on the back. Then after finishing the back of the tapestry you mount on the frame, by taking one tiny stitch of the outside warp and slipping the needle underneath the tapestry a little bit in alignment, stitch though. You won't see the stitches if you do it right. You change thread color as your weft changes color. It takes me awhile. At least several football games plus a couple of movies :) So , 1 done 2 more to go.
Mon, 01/20/2014 - 12:45

endorph

You can spin singles but this will be a 2-ply yarn. I am spinning the singles with an S-twist and will ply two singles together with a Z-twist. I am aiming for a DK weight once the yarn is plied. I am not spinning fine yet - stillneed a lot of practice on my consistency. . . but it is slowly getting there.

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 13:34

pammersw

I'm weaving it at 15 epi and it seems ok.Still using mostly knitting yarn due to price and availability issues. Might try sock yarn next, to see if I can make something finer.

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 15:31

ReedGuy

Pammersw, is it single ply? I have done single plied tartan wool scarves in 2/2 twill. Worked out to be 16 epi with knitting yarn. I have used two ply for blankets at 8 epi by the same woollen mill. Singles in this wool are not strong enough for a blanket. The mill has blankets woven out west. They say it's their yarn, but it's a finer two ply that they don't sell. I can see the plies in the yarn used and it's 16 epi when measured with ruler across the ends. I also see that the 2-ply available here is the same weight as Camilla Valley sells from Canadian mills and recomment 8 epi as well. I can buy the same grist wool yarn cheaper locally.

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 15:37

endorph

pammersw - love the color and the herrigbone is beautiful - is it as soft as it looks?

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 15:59

Queezle

That overshot vs honeycomb is so interesting!

I spent my entire day yesterday setting up a summer and winter sample.  So happy the B2F warping worked well, and I managed to thread the 14/2 yarn (30 epi, 6 1/2 inches wide) with no errors.  Reading glasses, getting the lease sticks properly positioned, and good lighting -- all made a difference. Testing seven different colors against each other, and finding the colors that I like.

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 16:00

pammersw

I don't have it here in front of me but I think it's either two or three ply. If you zoom in on the photo you can see the plies on the brown yarn. The brown (weft) is a little bit thicker than the warp (moss green).

It feels pretty soft now; will probably full a little when I finish it, then I will brush it.

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 16:58

theresasc

this morning, it looks like a busy weekend around here.  

I really like seeing the honeycomb next to the overshot.  Its always fascinating to see a pattern in different structures, so different yet the same.

The herringbone scarf turned out great, I wish I could touch it - one of those weaver things I always want to touch cloth.

I almost finished threading the organic towel warp, had to take a break from it yeaterday, its just shy of 700 ends and I just needed to get away for a bit.  Hopefully finish threading, sley it and get tied on today.

I like the spinning I have been seeing too.  My wheel calls out to me sometimes but I have been ignoring it.  That is for retirement, it is weaving time now for me.

Tue, 01/21/2014 - 14:36

loomyladi (not verified)

Productive day yesterday.  My "new to me" Glimakra is up and working in the studio.  It came with a wonderful pastel warp so it is literally ready to weave!  I think I'm going to unbeam and rebeam the warp as there are a couple of soft spots, but its good enough at the moment to play with.  We transported with the lamms tied to the harness and back beam, cloth beam, reed and warp obviously.  It took about 2 1/2 hours to put it together and get it working.  All in all not bad.  My handy fella made me a set of feet rocking supports - now those are really cool.  They absorb the movement of the beater and keep the loom from walking.  Today I will finish some waffle weave and finish warping another loom.  I now have 3 looms in various stages at the studio - no chance for boredom.  Have a great, snowy day all!

Tue, 01/21/2014 - 14:36

loomyladi (not verified)

Productive day yesterday.  My "new to me" Glimakra is up and working in the studio.  It came with a wonderful pastel warp so it is literally ready to weave!  I think I'm going to unbeam and rebeam the warp as there are a couple of soft spots, but its good enough at the moment to play with.  We transported with the lamms tied to the harness and back beam, cloth beam, reed and warp obviously.  It took about 2 1/2 hours to put it together and get it working.  All in all not bad.  My handy fella made me a set of feet rocking supports - now those are really cool.  They absorb the movement of the beater and keep the loom from walking.  Today I will finish some waffle weave and finish warping another loom.  I now have 3 looms in various stages at the studio - no chance for boredom.  Have a great, snowy day all!

Tue, 01/21/2014 - 15:32

theresasc

on the new loom!  How fun for you.  I have never heard of moving a CM loom with the warp on, I have always seen the looms broken down into a pile of sticks.  That must of been interesting to do.  I tend to have all my floor looms warped up, my own private round-robin:-)

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