Yes October has finally arrived and Halloweave is officially started. I can't wait to see what everyone is working on. Remeber the goal is to weave or other weaverly activity every day. I am shooting for a minimum of 5 minutes a day - don't want to set my goal too high! Cool Post pictures and report on progress! I can't wait until I get home from work to start weaving again!

Comments

Wed, 10/07/2015 - 04:16

Queezle

A bit more woven on the spider weave - this time experimenting with some blue wool.  I might not have the patience to finish this warp - I'm ready for something new. 

Spider weave play

Wed, 10/07/2015 - 21:13

Mutz

Well last night and early this morning I worked hard to clear a bead weaving bracelet project off my mini loom. I then warped it up for a small tapestry practice project. That loom is small enough to take to a campsite. So that is what I'm doing. 

Thu, 10/08/2015 - 02:11

[email protected]

I had an accidental great success at my band loom tonight, ending my search for the right weft for my 7 warp band.  The conundrum of the threading stems from the difference in edge colors for the 2 sheds.  I pulled out the film canister around which I had wound the extra lengths of warp thread that had made multiplied length rather than multiple separate warp threads when not caught under the clip of the AVL warping wheel.  Before separating the threads to try different colors, I used the film canister with multiple threads wound around it as a shuttle to see what would happen.  

It was like hitting the slot machine jackpot.  It is creating a braid-like effect that is dimensional and compelling.  I am using a tiny tapestry beater to set the threads and over the moon weaving inches per minute!  I am not being careful to keep the weft from twisting so the effect is not static.  It does much better near the cloth beam so I do need to advance the warp frequently.  That too always feels like progress.

Time to work on my picture uploading goal for Halloweave.  After figuring out a sure fire method for accidental double posting on the site, I hope I can upload pictures in planned direction.  If I cut off a length of my current inkle, the first photograph might seem 'correct' in any direction.Wink

Thu, 10/08/2015 - 02:48

SusanBH

Queezle, I love that spider weave.  I did spend some time at the loom today, but didn't quite complete everything I had planned to.  I cleverly wound not quite enough on my bobbins, so both the tabby and pattern weft bobbins will need to be wound again before I finish.  I still expect to be able to take this project off the loom and wet finish it tomorrow.

Thu, 10/08/2015 - 03:25

Mutz

Queezie I too like your spider weave. How much warp is left? 

Thu, 10/08/2015 - 04:46

Queezle

Thank you, Susan and Mutz, its been a fun little project.  I have about another foot of weaving length.  One thing that has bugged me is that the tie up is missing one of the combinations.  I think I'm going to document what the tie up and treadling should be so others don't have to be so tortured. 

Not much weaving time today, but I did get my studio straighted out a bit, and some of my yarns a bit better organized.  But really, it was only 10 minutes.  Alas...

Thu, 10/08/2015 - 12:09

endorph

at the loom was done today but I did do some weaving related reading and got everything ready to weave today. I am still searching for my small stick shuttles. Not sure where they ended up in the great craft room cleanup!

Thu, 10/08/2015 - 22:18

SusanBH

The placemats are done and ready to go! Tomorrow I'll start preparing the warp for the next project.

Name draft placemats, finished

Name draft placemats, pattern detail

Fri, 10/09/2015 - 01:54

endorph

I managed about 3 inches woven . Here is a photograh - unfortunately I cannot get the colors to come out right. They are much more vibrant than they show up on the pic. The green is not so dark and muddy looking. You will notice that my packing is not too even and my selvedages leave a bit to be desired but since I am going to full this a bit and use it as fabric I am not being a careful as I normally would. I have been very impressed at all the activity on here this week. We spiders are doing great.

Fri, 10/09/2015 - 03:15

[email protected]

SusanBH got the placemats done on schedule--yeah and congratulations!  My most weaverly activity today has been keeping up with weaving friends through Weavolution.  Dreaming about weaving during nap after work and barely back to the computer for last reading of postings for the day.  Glad ten minutes at the loom meets the goal today.

Fri, 10/09/2015 - 03:36

Queezle

I spent 2 hours at my local guild meeting.  Afterwards, I had high hopes of changing the tie-up for the spider weave (I think there is something better I could do), but I was just too tired to be sure I was thinking it through correctly.  So I sat at my loom, raising shafts, and thinking.  

Yes, friends, tomorrow is another day.  Sweet dreams.

Sat, 10/10/2015 - 03:47

SusanBH

I didn't have a lot of weaving time today, as we have company so cooking and cleaning were required.  I did spend some time trying to start a warp using a warping paddle.  It didn't go well.  I have a bit of a mess to straighten up tomorrow, I think.

 

Sat, 10/10/2015 - 05:20

Queezle

After dinner and a bit of card playing, I was able to spend a couple hours in the studio.  I played around with the tie-up for the spider weave, wove off the warp, and twisted fringe on one end (something I haven't done in many years - and it showed - I cut the ends almost too short).  It felt very good, and I'm hoping to get my next sample on this weekend.

Sat, 10/10/2015 - 05:24

Mutz

i am kind of knocked out from a couple days of camping. Wow that was so much easier when my husband and I first starting camping close to 23 years ago. Of course I didn't ever take a loom with me before.

I did discover campfire weaving(which requires the extra assistance of a headlamp) might have beer to help with the enjoyment, but it has lots more bugs...especially with the headlamp. Early morning coffee weaving has far fewer bugs.

So that is my great weaving camping knowledge I shall impart today. I leave you now to go enjoy my pillow in an air conditioned room. Of course my female dog, Fig, was trying to tell me bugs, no air conditioning was not the best way to spend our time. I might have to wrestle my pillow from her tonight.

Sat, 10/10/2015 - 06:13

Erica J

Fjacobson,

Check out this tutorial on uploading photos.

If you're uploading from a mobile device, we're still not quite sure how to get the site to orient the photos properly. Our developer is going great guns on launching the new site, photos should not be such an issue much longer. 

Cool

Sat, 10/10/2015 - 16:33

[email protected]

Just decided today was not going to be an imrpovement on yesterday--zero minutes and counting.  Erica's photo upload tutorial is most uplifting.  Timer up to 2 minutes.  I really live for news from everyone else.  Friends who live in Texas are here in New England for leaf peeping and we will all go out together tomorrow and Monday.  Not expecting to get more than 5-10 minutes to myself each day.

Spinzilla should be ending this weekend.  Looking forward to hearing more about that too.

Francine

Sat, 10/10/2015 - 17:33

Erica J

I haven't woven too much. I did confirm that my next weft faced sample needs to be set at 6 epi. This will be krokbragd! I'm really excited about that. I've waited some time to get the loom set up for it and to choose the colors. Nancy Arthur Hoskins is a genius for realising that you can treadle a 4 shaft straight draw for 3 shaft point! She just opened up several more years of weaving exploration for me!

I'm spinning like mad. We took time out today to have family time at the Ickworth House Wood and Craft Festial, where I tried out a Kromski Sonata. I loved that wheel, but I think I ulitmately want a Kromski Minstrel. StitchKitch just started as a Kromski dealer, so she doesnt' have a Minstrel for me to try, but I'm asking around to see if there is anyone in the area. I've also read several reviews that sound like it is exactly what I am looking for, plus Abby Franquemont's guide to buying a spinning wheel convinced me a double drive with scotch tension might be just the thing for me! :)

Sat, 10/10/2015 - 20:57

theresasc

with the sewing machine yesterday and today.  Finished assembling 2 tote bags, just in time to take on vacation with me on Sunday!  I had finished weaving the side pieces at the start of Halloweave - used this months festivities to get them done!  I am sure glad that I have a nice and sturdy Singer 401A sewing machine - that baby just plows through the thick edges of my totes.  Posted them in a new project today.

Sat, 10/10/2015 - 23:22

Queezle

At last, some time with daylight!  I've tried to ignore the glorious weather outside to at least start on warping up the loom.  Several years ago when I first joined weavo and tried to re-find my weaving mojo, I decided it was time to grow up and learn to warp back-to-front.  Its still a struggle (though probably front-to-back would not actually be any easier).  Nevertheless, I've got almost half the yarn through the heddles. 

This is a very simple twill pattern, for some reason an image from pinterest has been on my mind, and I'm ready for a single-shuttle weave!

table runner sample

And I thought you might be amused to see the ratty-looking spider weave sample I took off.  I actually like the miscellaneous ends of yarn hanging off the sides, etc.  And those pumpkins holding it up are supposed to be silver-blue colored, but oh well, they are my dear husband's summer project, and I love them.

spider weave sample

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 03:14

endorph

me today. I spent the bulk of the day in a class on knitting Scandinavian slipper socks. I was, however, surround by looms and others weaving so t the store we were at so I am counting that for my weaverliness today!

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 03:23

SusanBH

I spend more time today working on the warp and practicing with the warping paddle.  The paddle and I are in a fight, and I think the paddle is winning.  None-the-less, I did make some progress.  I have no major responsibilities once church is over tomorrow so I'm hoping to get this warp all ready to go on the loom.

 

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 06:09

Mutz

At home today and fairly well rested so I thought I would start tackling the warp for my sister's scarf. I managed to wind the warp and sley the reed (warping front to back). It was too late to start threading, I hope to do that tomorrow. 

I also managed aged a few minutes on a small tapestry.

I'm really glad I found the Halloweave groups, I feel really motivated to staty on tra with my weaving projects.

Sun, 10/11/2015 - 13:16

[email protected]

started the day with daily quota. Weaving on band loom and realized I need to verify this trim is beaten tight enough to hold together when tension is released. I like the look of diagonal crossing of shed that allows the multithreaded weft to dominate over warp faced central band. Wet finishing may become my best ally. 

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 02:37

endorph

about 10 minutes of weaving today. Better tha yesterday but. . . Life got in the way.

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 02:59

SusanBH

I spent a couple hours and made some progress on the warp for the next project.  It's still slower than I'd like, but I think I'm winning the battle with the paddle now.  I hope to have all the warp measured out by the end of tomorrow. 

 

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 04:01

Queezle

The heddles are threaded!  But got stopped tieing onto the front by repeated family phone calls (and I cannot complain about that!).  I really need to learn about lashing on - I keep seeing people on this site allude to it - I think it would save me some time.

Susan - I am interested in your paddle experience.  I recently picked one up, and have to admit it scares me a bit.

Mutz - I feel the same.  I had allowed my work to overtake my hobby, and am glad to be pulled back on track.  Balance is good.

Francine - the band look sounds great!

onward!

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 06:36

Mutz

well the baby wolf is threaded. I found a lone thread that missed being tied to a group, so now I think I need to go back and recheck my threading. Better to find the mistake now than later, if indeed I did make a mistake, might have just dropped a thread when tying groups.

tomorrow I hope to double check the threading and wind on the beam. If I manage to actually do a little test, then so much the better. I'm starting to fear I should have gone for denser than 24 epi. Would hate to need to sley this again. Soon I'll test and my doubts can be set aside.

this scarf must be finished and washed by the 17th! Yikes!

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 14:36

SusanBH

Hi Queezle,

My paddle experience:  There is a bit of a learning curve in terms of maintaining a consistent cross.  I re-watched Madelyn van der Hoogt's Warping Your Loom to refresh my memory on it, and was reminded that you need to consistently bring the paddle down for one peg of the cross and up for the other, regardless of which way you are going (to or fro).  That helped.  The problem I am having is that the more reps you do, the more tangled the yarn gets as it twist around itself when you change direction.  I'm using 20/2 perle cotton and doesn't seem to slide over itself very well, that may be part of the problem.  I'm finding smaller bouts to be the best solution.  I hope that info is helpful to you!

Susan

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 18:26

Erica J

I'm working on warping up my Voyageur for a workshop in a few weeks time. I had hoped to have it warped, so I would have a few weeks to check the threading. However, my son was not up for me being away most of Saturday, so I've only gotten as far as beaming the warp, but there is still time. :)

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 23:18

[email protected]

I have managed more time today --not all at the band loom.  I am going to run out of multi-strand weft the next time I sit down at the band loom.  While weaving today, I tried to remember how many ends were originally planned for the warp to see if I could reverse the planning to determine the length of the 7 end warp.  The warping wheel was set at 2 1/2 yards.  If 4 ends became 1, that would be 10 yards of warp.  I don't think I will weave it all off this month since I also have my other goals.

On that subject, I picked a piece of wood for my wooden comb and have been looking through 8 shaft twill drafts.  I am a bit of a rosepath junky but must admit I think of it as 4 shaft.  Straight twill threading probably makes more sense than pointed twill for 3 inch (56 end) warp.

The next couple of days may leave me less time for Halloweave but I will keep up with reading the threads.  

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 23:35

SusanBH

I spent several hours at the warping board today, and am now half-way done with measuring out the warp.  The paddle has gotten easier to use and it goes pretty quickly now.  Sadly, I messed up and skipped a couple pegs on the warping board in the middle of one bout, and didn't notice until I had almost finished with that bout.  I wanted to conserve yarn so I tried to take off some of the warp and correct the mistake and just wound up making a huge tangle.  I should have just cut my losses at that point, but I stubbornly tried to untangle it.  I wasted a couple hours on that.  I'm hoping to finish this tomorrow, but at this point who knows?

Tue, 10/13/2015 - 01:38

Queezle

Susan, I would have tried to save the warp yarn, too - I hate waste.

Today was a long work day, and I just got the threaded warp tied on at the front.  Am not sure that I will be happy with it tomorrow, but hopefully I will have more than the minimal 10 minutes. 

Doesn't it feel great to face the loom and NOT see something you did months ago? 

Tue, 10/13/2015 - 05:53

Mutz

whew what a day. Was hoping for time on my tiny tapestry but no such luck. I did do the more important beaming job for the scarf I'm making. I don't see any obvious errors but I'll test tommorrow. I'm hoping I'm happy with the epi of 24 and not regretting a denser warp. I would hate to wind out more warp and sley this denser. Can I even do thaT without causing a huge mess? Ugh don't want to think about it. I'm just going to go to bed with visions of sugar plum warp threads perfectly dancing through my head.

 

night night! Why am I still awake?

Tue, 10/13/2015 - 15:32

endorph

this evening will de devoted to getting a towel or two hemmed. I have a stack of towels and other weaving that has been sitting waiting for hems for months. I figure I can do some hand hemming while watching a video. I have been wanting to watch Norman Kennedy's From Woll ot Waulking so this may be the right time for that.

Wed, 10/14/2015 - 01:56

Queezle

In my haste to get weaving, after threading my heddles, I then tied onto the front.   Tonight I was so excited to come home to weave.  I sat under the loom and tied up my treadles, selected a shuttle and half-full pirn to get the weaving started.  Then I sat down and was baffled.  Something was wrong!  There was no reed!  Oh - I had taken it out entirely while threading the heddles, and then forgot it.  Luckily, this is an easily fixable problem, but by the time I figured out what was wrong, the last glimmer of daylight was gone, and this is a job that require good lighting.

OK, one day forward, one step back, but I can still laugh at myself!

Wed, 10/14/2015 - 02:16

SusanBH

I finally finished getting the warp ready to put on the loom today.  No big hassles were involved.  I have to make an adjustment to the loom (I'm still figuring out the brake for the warp beam), but then I should be ready to start winding on!

Wed, 10/14/2015 - 18:16

Erica J

I got a lot of weaving done today, but most of it was figuring out krokbragd for my certificate portfolio and alas can't share the photo on Weavolution yet.  I wouldn't blame anyone for being sick of hearing that from me!

I did do some weving on the taquete today, but I confess I'm too tire to get a photo and post it right now. Photo coming soon!

Wed, 10/14/2015 - 23:31

SusanBH

I didn't have a lot of time for the loom today, but I got the warp onto a raddle and lease sticks.  I also got the friction brake on the loom in order (I think). Work is cutting into my weaving time :-(

Wed, 10/14/2015 - 23:34

theresasc

but I found one thing that really helped me was to take a large dented reed, like an 8 or 10, set it flat across a couple of chairs, set the cones on the floor under the reed, thread the yarn, well spaced through the reed and than through the paddle.  This really helped me keep the yarn under control.  I used nine cones of yarn doing this and it worked really well.

Thu, 10/15/2015 - 00:32

endorph

lot of weaving today. I moved my floor loom into the front bedroom and threw the shuttle a few times. Now I will be unweaving what I wove and trying to figure out where I went wrong! Oh well . . .

Thu, 10/15/2015 - 03:51

Queezle

Got started threading the reed, but my daughter's lacrosse game prevented me from finishing the job.  But I did get in my 5 minutes, and then some.

 

Thu, 10/15/2015 - 23:49

endorph

for me today - I have a project due for a knitting class on Saturday morning and if I don't spend some serious time with it tonight and tomorrow it will not be to the place it needs to be for the next class. So as soon as I am off here it's on to the knitting.

Fri, 10/16/2015 - 01:41

[email protected]

Made up time at band loom tonight.  Multistrand weft lasting longer than I expected it to, not that I measured it when I rescued it.

Made a trip to the basement to look for a boat shuttle and to my own surpise found 3!  I wanted to do that before going to Rhinebeck where I will look for small tools.

Anyone else going to Rhinebeck this weekend?

Fri, 10/16/2015 - 03:03

SusanBH

Thanks for the information, Theresasc.  I'll give that a try next time. I got the warp fastened to the warp beam today and started winding it on.  It's slow going.  This warp seems very apt to tangle, so I'm winding on a little at a time so I don't break any threads.

Fri, 10/16/2015 - 11:59

endorph

to get in a few minutes of weaving on the floor loom this morning. I only have about 5 more inches to finish this towel. It has been on the loom since April! This evening I have to knit to get ready for class tomorrow but I am hoping to be able to weave as well.

Fri, 10/16/2015 - 13:59

theresasc

Vacationing in the Smokey Mountains.  My latest batch of tote bags are travelling well, these were finished up the day before I left.Totes in the mountains

 

Fri, 10/16/2015 - 14:04

theresasc

double post - first time it worked from my phone.

 

Sat, 10/17/2015 - 02:36

endorph

So I thought I would share the knitting project I have been working on to the neglect of my weaving - although I did get some weaving in this morning before work. This is a Scandinavian style slipper sock. The top is twined knitting, the sole if stranded. The foot is knitted as a tube then you pick up stitches, remove a piece of waste yarn by cutting it and picking out those stitches, holding your breath at the same time that you did actually cut the waste yarn not the live sitiches and that you mangaed to pick up all of the live stitches. . .  Then you add the cuff. OUr assignment was to get the foot (including heel and toe) knit for class tomorrow. Then we would work through the cuff process together. I bit the bullet and decided to try the cuff myself and managed to get it started without too much bad language! Innocent Tomorrow I will get back to weaving.

Sat, 10/17/2015 - 04:04

SusanBH

My mantra right now is "it takes as long as it takes."  Hopefully I'll be ready to start threading heddles sometime tomorrow.  We'll see. 

That sock looks like it will be both pretty and warm, endorph.  Is it going to be for you or someone else?

Group Audience
Active Arachnids 2015