I was looking at Sally's Hill house towel project - the second slide reminded me of an important ritual at the first "vävstuga" I attended: whemever someone had cut off, s/he unwound the web from the cloth beam in such a way that all the warp sticks fell to the floor with a clatter. On hearing the noise, everybody present immediately went to look/admire the cloth.

 

There is also an old (ie described in some books) tradition to have "happy hole coffee" when first you can see the "happy hole" - that is, when you first can see the naked warp beam. (A Swe weaving blogger has started to give recipes for "happy hole cakes" -  she has auto-translation for non-Swe readers, but be aware that auto-translation sometimes can give VERY odd results - ) - An old superstition says that once you have see the happy hole you have to weave the warp off in one sitting - or else... (what? the book dosen't say)

Are there any other rituals/superstitions out there?

Comments

Tue, 08/27/2013 - 20:23

Artistry

Some of you probably know this one...It is tradition when you've finished a tapestry and it's still on the loom, you invite your friends over for champagne and cut the tapestry off. You can unroll the whole tapestry from the breast beam and see the whole thing. Time for celebration!
Tue, 08/27/2013 - 20:35

mrdubyah (not verified)

At our local weaving school, tradition dictates that no amount of warp may ever be wasted.  Every warp must be woven until the shuttle can no longer be coaxed through the shed.  If there is any weaveable warp remaining when your piece is done, even it it's as little as 6", then you are expected to weave it off.  The result of this frugality is that we have many little snippets of fabric kicking around which are surprisingly useful as handtowels, tea towels, coasters, samples, decorations, etc. It's not just a tradition, it's also a good idea!

Wed, 08/28/2013 - 12:58

sequel (not verified)

At my house, if the last bobbin wound is the last one you need at the end of the warp you get ice cream!  Even if you have to waste a little warp and eat non-dairy ice cream!

Wed, 08/28/2013 - 13:46

sally orgren

Many of my guildmates who are older than I am (60-70-80's) will make reference to weavers in their day who became pregnant and "could no longer weave." 

Why not? 

Wed, 08/28/2013 - 13:56

sally orgren

I took a Navajo (Dine) weaving class with Pearl Sunrise in 2004. I remember she told us at the very end of the weaving, you try and squeeze in as many weft pics as possible. Then, when you think you are done, add three more.

We were taught to wind "butterflies" in our hands for small bits of weft bundles. She called these "dancing women".

From trader Bruce Burnham, about his learning to weave from the mothers on the reservation in Sanders, AZ — if a Dine weaver offers to teach you weaving and you don't finish the project, she risks her life becoming unraveled.

After this piece of advice, I sent a card thanking Pearl Sunrise for the workshop and showing her my completed piece. ;-)

Wed, 08/28/2013 - 18:52

kerstinfroberg

Well - first the obvious: too big tummy? (myself, I don't have children, so I wouldnt know...)

A check in Tillhagen: Vävskrock (ISBN 91-36-02510-0) yields: it was OK to weave until the very last, BUT: a pregnant women had to weave the whole warp herself; had to cut off herself (and do it quickly - the faster the "undressing", the faster the birth); all knots (treadles and whatever you'd think of) to be undone quickly; never let a pregnanat woman see an empty loom with a reed in the beater; be careful not to encounter tangles.

Otherwise, I don't know - but would like to hear other interpretations!