Only two days left

I have been pondering over what I've been doing wrong. I went to do a pick on my double weave and realised it was interlocking rather than weaving on two levels. I checked the last pick was the one I thought it was and thought I must do the opposite sett to ensure it all went on the bottom. Fortunately common sense took over as I realised this was a completely different sett not given in my pattern.

I took the last pick back to check whether the one before was incorrect and sure enough I had missed out a pick. I rewove the picks and am now up and running again - but even happier than before.

The other thing I have been happy about is spinning my alpaca. I teach supply (substitute teaching?) and last term a girl mentioned she lived next door to some alpacas. I showed her wool from other animals and she was really interested in knitting some rows. As a leaving present she brought in 41/2 lbs alpaca - not good quality stuff but stuff to practice with. I was struggling with spinning that but when I went to guild saturday one of the ladies told me I needed more twist.

I considered how to do this and sure enough if you use the smaller pulley wheel  - the one I usually ply with -you get more twist and the yarn is better. I wasn't enjoying spinning it but now I am.

What a good month I'm having (and my students today have been fantastic)

My accomplishments admist the water emergency this month were more about finishing than starting. (And the projects spanned more than the month of October.) I finished the 7 yard dishtowel warp started this summer, and the 2 yard tablet warp that several Weavo members helped me execute (yes, you know who you are-a big thank you!)

I planned three new projects for a total of 11+ yards, and warped up one loom for demo with 5 yards. The rest of the time I spent moving things around from the water emergency, going through junk, then making trips to recycle, repurpose and dispose of junk. 

All-in-all, an okay month! ;-)

Well Its over. I'm so glad I joined in and am already looking forward to next year's.

I can also look forward to my dish towel kit arriving and you can bet I will update you as I make it. I also have a two shaft loom to warp up(two colours of pink)and alpaca (brown) for the weft I think should do nicely. A rug to finsih and some serious double weaving to be getting on with. That doesn't include all of the wool I have to spin, card, clean etc.

I think it is a good job its only three weeks until my first batch of home-made cider is ready for drinking. Add to that the elderberry wine ready for christmas and I can see I won't be in a fit state to weave if I'm not careful.

Many thanks to all you Active Arachnids.

Paul