Thought I would start a new thread for daily check in - we will do a new one every month to keep us on our toes. Remember to check in with projects, problems, questions or encouragement. Happy New YEar everyone and here are wishes for a very weaverly year to come

Tina

Comments

Tue, 01/15/2013 - 10:48

Cheryl'B

week will be less running.  Last week I didn't do anything weaverly between work and running to the hospital for dad (although I had my knitting with me) I was a bit exhausted.  Life sometimes just gets in the way.  Back to the normalcy of life, I've straightened and added heddles to my loom.  Got my baby blanket warped and started sleying f2b.  Hope to start feeding the heddles tonight after work.  Pretty excited to start this project.  It's bigger than I've done before and a bit nervous about the selvedges.  

Tue, 01/15/2013 - 12:02

endorph

few days so not much actaul weaving going on - did get the RH warped and made a couple fo potholders on the potholder loom, looking forward to feeling better and being more productive this year.
Wed, 01/16/2013 - 20:45

endorph

get started weaving on my grey fabric - don't know what if will be - playin with some pickup patterning on the RH. Today in the mail I received the coolest potholder loom - it is a vintage metal loom - adjustable in size and with two sizes / spacings of prongs - I will try and get photos tonight. A friend from Rav sent it to me. Looks like fun!
Wed, 01/16/2013 - 21:43

Artistry

Worked on Tapestry about 6 hrs today. Feel my wrist a little. May just make my Tapestry Diary entry tomorrow, 15 mins., then take the day off and let it rest. OR I can always look through weaving books :)
Wed, 01/16/2013 - 23:55

endorph

my really cute vintage pot holder loom - it is metal, and adjustable - I've never seen one quite like this one before.

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 01:15

Cheryl'B

Have about 400 of the 640 ends threaded for the baby blanket.  I keep asking myself what I got myself into.  Forty inches on the loom is the widest thing I have done.  A bit nervous about the selvedges.

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 02:09

ReedGuy

Try double weave, then get back to me. LOL

Just kidding, you have to get your feet wet sometime. :)

 

I'd be interested in seeing you work up some pot holders in your new loom endorph. :)

I've been busy as a squirrel stashing walnuts, in the wood shop. I have 80 spools to build, a larger spool rack and some sectional timbers to make to attach to my existing warp beam. So, stay busy. I'll eventually get back to weaving with my new toys. :) This afternoon I cut 25 feet of dowel wood, and have 152 more circles to cut. My tension box with counter is pretty near done, just waiting for a clamp and a piece of spring wire.

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 02:09

loomyladi (not verified)

I've been slacking, but my classes have started and I STILL don't have Christmas put away.  Being gone over the holidays I did not get to enjoy my tree, so now I am!  I'm not bored with it yet and my living room (the only room that is decorated) looks so festive!

Finished off a 10' Inkle Sash, wet finished, dried, and delivered!  YEAH!  Almost ready to commence weaving on another sash.  I did not plan as well as I should have so now I have to reconfigure as I ran out of one color, have a plan, but backtracking is no fun.  I "thought" I had one more ball of the color, but I thought wrong.  grrr....

 

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 02:46

Cheryl'B

I've got that one down.  I've done 3 ruana's in doubleweave.  Seeing as I only have four shafts, there's not much choice in weave design.   I will have to try to make a bag though, they look like fun.

Loomylady.....sounds like you're busy as well.  Running out of color just stinks!

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 02:51

endorph

on the "new" old loom. I'm sort of fascinated by it! On the gray project I have tried out three different wefts so far - one was rejected right away - I liked it but not in this project. Am going to sleep on it and see what I think about the weft tomorrow. Good luck with the threading CHeryl. I was going to warp the MW but need more heddles - have 500 and need 510! Am thinking I might just narrow the warp a bit - its 16/2 cotton sett at 40 epi. . . would I really notice 10 missing threads?
Thu, 01/17/2013 - 04:13

Cheryl'B

I don't think you will miss the 10 threads, but you may want to look at your pattern to see where it would leave you?

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 05:10

Weavingholiday

Planning a drop-in style make-and-take for February. Weaving with a rigid heddle with a backstrap set up. Trying to figure out how to make 5 or 6 backstraps, participants could be children and adults, so think I need a range of a few sizes, or something that is somehow quickly adjustable. Any thoughts welcome. The research is fun!
Thu, 01/17/2013 - 11:17

ReedGuy

Cheryl, I was thinking more toward a doubleweave blanket, but 4 shafts is limiting. :/ Anyway, I was just making a poke.

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 11:57

endorph

the project is plain weave and or 2/2 twill - the warp is stripes but having slightly narrower stripes on the edges would not be a big issue - so . . . losinga few warp threads might be he way to - easier tham buying and installing more heddles.!
Thu, 01/17/2013 - 12:05

ReedGuy

If you do the twill, maybe the narrow stripes at the edges could be basketweave.

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 15:07

Leslie M (not verified)

I'm just jumping in here-don't know the back story, but if you're only missing 10 heddles why not tie string heddles? Then you'll have your design as planned.
Thu, 01/17/2013 - 17:29

endorph

not sure if it is worth the effort for this project - we're talking dish cloths here so losing the 10 threads really will not make a difference - I am going to recount the heddles to make sure I counted correctly in the first place - and I may be able to borrow 10 heddles - if necessary from my LYS - Okay lets be honest - I am being lazy about the string heddles! :)
Thu, 01/17/2013 - 23:01

r1mein54 (not verified)

I miss the free time to think of a new project to weave. Not that I don`t like having employment and getting a weekly paycheck deposited into the bank - but I never thought as a "new hire" I would end up working (overtime) all but 3 Saturdays in the past 7 weeks. I am still hoping to get settled in this 40 hour plus job where I am up at 4am, drive to and start working at 6am to get off at 3pm. I feel sure I will not forget how to warp, thread, sley and weave but do occasionaly look in the corner of the room to see the loom still there and say "one day ". Meanwhile I will be working toward my second retirement at Pilgrims, Inc. /JBSsa (chicken)  Live Oak, Florida 

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 23:22

ReedGuy

The getting up early and going to work 2 hours away is nothing new to me. Been doing it for years, only it's seasonal. Which in itself pays twice as much as anything near here. Plus, there really isn't much else. There are only so many awesome jobs in these parts and no vacancies. Most of them hire based on the 'ol boys club.

Ah, but you will find time now and again to weave. Don't dispare. :)

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 00:54

Cheryl'B

I'm with you......I'd be dropping those 10 ends :)  I know you were poking fun ReedGuy.....I was just pokin back :)  However, I am doing a shadow weave and I don't think that would work in doubleweave.......or would it?  Oh man, now you got me thinking and that means trouble.

Robert....welcome to my world (sort of).  I wish I could spend more time weaving.  I wish life just didn't get in the way.  I use weaving for my relaxation (ok, so sometimes it stresses me out).  

I think this blanket is taking me so long to get on the loom because I'm a bit afraid of it.  It's large (for me anyway) and daunting and it's a gift to boot!  Almost done getting it on the loom and I keep looking at it saying to myself, boy that sure is a lot of yarn, what was I thinking? 

 

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 01:50

ReedGuy

Yes it can be double weaved, but might depend on what kind of weaving. A double layer with a fold or like a tube yes, but some of the other technics I don't know. But the sett has to be doubled as well as the # of shafts. The structure of shadow weave is similar to plain weave. You would have two shafts for the light color instead of 1, 1 for each layer.

In regular shadow weave, one layer:

light shaft = # shafts/2 + 1

so, 4 shafts/2 + 1 is shaft 3 for light color.

If you have weaveitPro demo or otherwise, type in the draft and use the double weave wizard. There will be an upper left corner (4 x 4 grid of white pixels) of the tie up for raising the upper layer and the lower right corner of the tie-up lowers (4 x 4 black pixels) the lower layer to keep the two sheds separate. :)

My queen wool blankets took 10 lbs each of 2-ply wool, let alone the warping waste. :)

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:20

Artistry

Cherl'B, here's to you for doing something bigger! Wait till you throw the shuttle, I think it's really fun! I'm sure your blanket will turn out fine! Wrist is feeling better so it's still Tapestry everyday around here. Though I'll be setting up the floor loom with a twill which I want to study for the next year for a study group. Each month we take in a sample of the same structure but different tie-up,threading,treadling, and talk about it.It better be a interesting one, right? I'm thinking maybe a networked twill.. Maybe after a year I'll understand it:) Next week also starts the drafting study group, which also lasts a year. I feel like I have a double Major!
Fri, 01/18/2013 - 12:58

endorph

your study groups sound wonderful. I am signing up for an intro to tapestry workshop with Joanne Hall at the end of February. For the first two days we will be working on small tapestry looms and the last three days she will show us how to use our floor looms for tapestry. Should be a fun week. Right now I am trying to decide on my weft color for a grey stash buster. Tonight I am going to cu off what I have woven so far - two pattern repeats in tow different colors - wet finish and see which seems to work best. Or decide if I need to try something entirely different!
Fri, 01/18/2013 - 17:45

Grethe

I have dress my loom with a brown worsted wool warp and used the Noro Sekku as a weft and a sample whit the worsted yarn as weft. Now i'm retie(?) to a new crepe tie up.

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 21:30

Artistry

Tina, 5 days of tapestry , you'll learn a lot! I need to do a good stash buster, maybe for the twill study group, I have a lot of cotton in all different sizes! But don't we all:)

Grethe please post pictures of your samples!

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 21:51

ReedGuy

Grethe, here was a crepe in double weave (tube). Looks like part of a sleeve. The warp ends you see sticking out are totally hidden by the weft, inside and out. :) This was 'Heritage' 2-ply wool from the local mill. I used this to make a toque in the end. But I bet it would be interesting to try and weave a sweater. Crepe does have some stretch, just not like knitting.

Keep busy :)

 

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 15:55

Grethe

ReedGuy,interesting to see a weft face crepe. I notice that my samples are varp faced and I think it's because of the differences in the thickness of the yarn, but as I can see at your picture the weft and warp are all the same kind.

Cathie, I will post picture, when the samples are wet finish.

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 03:29

endorph

new stash buster - the warp is a stripe of dark grey and slightly not so dark grey - am trying out various warp colors with 5/1 spot lace diamond pickup pattern - this is on my RH. I have cut off and wet finished the first two colors of weft, they're okay but not great. I have three more - black, light grey and berry - on the loom - going to finish those in the morning and wet finish - Comments, opinons, abandon and try something else? I am using this warp to do nothing but sample warps, patterns, plain weave with clapsed weft, different wefts. And then I will re-warp with more of the same yarn in the stripe and actually weave a project.  Here are the first two wetfinished - dark grey and not so dark grey, and the next three still on the loom

Tue, 01/22/2013 - 01:58

ReedGuy

Been designing something of an undulating twill here this evening. I have one pattern block drawn up, but want to incorporate another and maybe up to 4 before I'm done. Just having fun designing. Right now it's late so my eyes are crossing a little. Here's a screenshot of what I have so far.

Keep busy :)

Tue, 01/22/2013 - 09:55

Artistry

Tina, the light gray really shows off the pattern! What are the materials? Did I miss that? ReedGuy, Designing is a really fun way to spend some time. I like your design. Which program do you use? Almost finished with the rose, will work on that again today, I just love working on it! I'll have to find another flower quick so I'll have Feb. TD lined up:)
Tue, 01/22/2013 - 10:47

ReedGuy

Cathie, I use WeaveDesign mostly. I will use WeaveitPro demo to look at doubleweave. I find the interface in Weaveit a bit cumbersome, but don't hold that against it.

Tue, 01/22/2013 - 11:42

Cheryl'B

on the baby blanket for the last week.  It intimidated me so it has taken longer than expected.  Weaves very quick, however not liking the selvedges so much.  I'm used to neater edges and these aren't.  Hope to finish this up in the next couple of days.  Messed up the pattern when I threaded the heddles but it still will work.

Tue, 01/22/2013 - 12:05

endorph

the warp is wool and a wool blend - the wefts have all been wool. I finished them with just a really light fulling. The pattern certainly shows up on the light greay and the light grey is not over powered by the warp colors. Love the design Reed Guy - sometimes I like to just play on the design software with no real end in mind. Cheryl. I love the blanket so far - it will be visually stimulating for the baby - and just plain fun`
Tue, 01/22/2013 - 12:18

ReedGuy

Coming along nicely Cheryl. I can see that baby toting that blanket around the house once it's walking. :)

Tue, 01/22/2013 - 16:57

fibrefare

Good morning all,

I'm on my way to Lowe's to pick up some materials to make lease sticks, cloth and warp beams, and a raddle.  I've decided that I will make this loom (46", 10-shaft, double sectional back beams, Macomber approx. 47 years old) work for me & that I will be able to warp a sectional beam like a traditional beam.  (Especially if I do a little each day.)

I'm going to just use 4 shafts for a first project, probably some tea towels or napkins in 8/2 or 10/2 cotton. 

Anyone in Arkansas that wants to have some fun?

Tue, 01/22/2013 - 17:03

endorph

fibrefare and let us know how things are going!
Tue, 01/22/2013 - 18:08

Cheryl'B

I appreciate your kind words. Fiberfare......I wish I was nearer.....that would be soooo much fun! Reed guy, I love the draft. Would like to see what you come up with. Tina I'm a bit partial to the darker colors but they all look great. I have not done sampling. Hmmm, maybe I should start. It seems like I always have a project I want to do.
Tue, 01/22/2013 - 21:43

Walkingquail

is a little shorter than I'd like but it still works. I figure I can full it some more to make it stiffer and use it for a cushion cover but right now it is a soft and light wool and mohair shawl. It was totally worth the time it took to unweave it, the turquoise painted yarn was worth salvaging! Cheryl'B, I share your concerns about selveges on a wider item when we have woven so many scarves. But they came out ok even if not perfect. Next up my first tablerunner in 8/2 cotton and weaving on my Ashford inke which I finally assembled and figured out how to warp. I love the process and discovery of weaving.

Wed, 01/23/2013 - 10:32

Artistry

Fibrefare good luck and have fun! Walkingquail, I'm so glad you were able to save your shawl! Yeah! Today I take my first drawing class at the Baker Hunt Institute. I promised myself a daily sketchbook to go along with my Tapestry Diaries. The drawing really is a great, although not necessary skill, for Tapestry. Also, today is my first study group in drafting. This group will move at quite a clip because everyone already knows the fundamentals. I better make sure my pencil is sharpened:) I'll find time to work on the Tapestry, worked 5 hrs yesterday weaving than ripping out everything I wove, just didn't 't look right:(
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 11:31

ReedGuy

Well, with many changes over the last couple of days to my latest design, I'm finally ready to sample this draft with 10/2 merc @ 24 epi.

Everyone have a great day. :)

Wed, 01/23/2013 - 12:32

Artistry

Beautiful ReedGuy! In those colors? Very nice if they are! Worth all the effort.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 13:03

endorph

working on the grey warp on the RH - this time doing a simple houndstooth in the two warp colors - did about 12 inches - think I will do a bit more so I can make a bag of some sort out of this section of sampling. I think the tail end of the warp will be clasped weft. Need to get up the energy to get the MW warped.
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 15:37

ReedGuy

Cathie, about the draft. That's the "dither effect" I suppose. The warp is white and the weft is red. :)  Back in the day when computer paint programs first emerged there was a limit of 16 colors or 256 a little later on and the dithering made extra colors. The first verison of MacPaint was nothing but black on white.

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 11:19

Artistry

ReedGuy, Monitor colors, should have known ,might have been close but no cigars! Well, in some cases they are getting much better. As you say it used to be just 16 colors ! Red and White! That will look very sharp with that pattern!
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 11:43

Cheryl'B

Would make for a pretty scarf.  Tina, I hear you about needing energy.  This running has got to stop.  

Cathie, have fun in your drafting class.  I just picked up the complete book of drafting.  While I have fun using the computer programs to play with drafts, it would be nice if I had a clear understanding of them.  

Walkingquail, YAY on the shawl!  I'll bet you are really happy you saved that yarn.

Everybody stay warm and have a great day!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 12:07

ReedGuy

Gotta fire up the stove down in the shop, -9F this morning. Working on my new weaving toys. :) I did get those 80 spools made a few days ago. Putting together a bigger spool rack to accommodate 144 - 3" long spools and 108 if 4" spools. I squared up and planed all the pieces yesterday, now for the cutting of the joints and making some 3/8" dowel.

Have a good one. :)

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 14:14

Artistry

Stay warm! Yesterday first drawing class, awesome, it will really help with the Tapestry. Had the first Drafting group, really good, use to know so much of this but if you don't use it you lose it! Today, almost finished with the rose, and will start planning the networked twill for the Structure group. Still have to hem the tea towels and do the paperwork, procrastination!
Thu, 01/24/2013 - 16:09

fibrefare

First let me say that ReedGuy's drafts are stunning.  Great job! Have you ever looked at the draft database at http://www.handweaving.net/Home.aspx.  You might want to contribute yours.

Cathie, please tell me where you are attending the groups you are working with. (My apologies if this was discussed at an earlier time or in another thread.) It sounds like weaver's heaven.

As for me, I'm getting ready to cut some texsolv to replace the tie-up hooks.

 

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 16:27

ReedGuy

Yes, I snoop around on their site on occassion. But it's a little painful to load the collections when your on dial-up. :/

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