October 1st is here. Let's jump right in and get started in this adventure. October 31st will be here before we know it, but we WILL conquer these frightful fibers!

I'm finalizing my plans, double-checking all my calculations, and holding my breath; so, I'm still in the initial stages of this project. What stage are you in?

When you have the yarn you plan to use, do post a picture of it so we can all "ooh" and "aah" at your courage. I expect my yarn to arrive today or tomorrow - will keep you posted.

Comments

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 17:30

B P (not verified)

Hi

I've raided my yarn stash and picked out some very fluffy mohair and a few other less troublesome yarns.

Both the mohair yarns were found in 'sale' bins at different knitting stores...I think the pinky/maroon mohair may well be upwards of 20 years old... I started my yarn 'stash' quite a time ago!!

The mohair is a chunky yarn so I'm hoping it will weave up quite quickly - once it's tamed.

I plan to size the yarn using a linseed mixture or some diluted gelatin... not sure which yet. Any pointers from other weavers would be welcome!

Beth

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 17:54

KarenIsenhower

20 years!!! Well, it's high time that mohair met its match!

I remember seeing a Weavolution thread about warp sizing. I'll search around and see if I can find it. Meanwhile, here's another discussion with some tips about using mohair. 

Thanks for keeping us posted!

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 20:06

gailc

I am finally going to tackle some of the linen that came with one of my looms, I dont know how many years ago. The woman who gave it to me said "now, linen is a challenge" and that was all I needed to hear to let it sit in the box.
Mon, 10/01/2012 - 20:25

KarenIsenhower

Gailc, I'm impressed that you are rising to the challenge! Do you have any ideas of what you will do with the linen? Will you use it for warp or weft, or both? Combine it with something else less frightening? There are so many possibilities! When you have a chance, we'd love to see a picture of it as it comes out of the box.

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 21:14

B P (not verified)

Hi Karen

Thanks for the link to 'tips about using mohair - most helpful!

Beth

 

Tue, 10/02/2012 - 00:19

endorph

will enter the fray and tackle linen - actually I have no choice I am taking a class next week and we will be working with linen - only in the weft for now but. . . I ahve wantd to try linen for a while now. I tackled mohair last year on my RH loom - it was very frightful - never again (famous last words) in the warp!    Tina
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 00:52

KarenIsenhower

Welcome, fearless Tina! I know you'll learn things you can share with us. I have used linen as weft on a few occasions with good results, so I'm sure you'll have a positive experience, too.
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 18:43

gailc

Karen, I am going to try an 8 shaft table runner. I am deciding on my colors now. I have a lot of light blue, gold, red and natural. I think they will look awful together if I try to use all 3 of those colors, though. And it will be all linen - no baby steps using cotton warp. I might as well fall flat on my face if I am going to try to tackle this.
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 19:05

KarenIsenhower

Gailc, jumping in head first? Me, too. I figure if I do the extreme, I'll know it can be done...or not. All linen? Go for it! What do you have to lose?? Wait, don't answer that. Looking forward to seeing your color selection.
Tue, 10/02/2012 - 23:14

KarenIsenhower

My mohair yarn came today. There it is all fluffy and innocent-looking. And then you can see it just sitting there balking at the thought of being wound on the warping reel. We'll soon find out who's boss.

More details on the project plans a little later...

Wed, 10/03/2012 - 10:23

B P (not verified)

Hi Karen

Wow, the colours are lovely - they sort of glow!...And the mohair does look very fluffy...(what have we let ourselves in for???)

Are you planning to size the yarn, or have you got a can of 'Cowboy Magic' handy?

Good Luck!

Beth

PS Hopefully I will plan my sett today.

 

Wed, 10/03/2012 - 11:04

KarenIsenhower

Beth, I'm not going to size the yarn, but I did order some Cowboy Magic on Amazon, should have it by the end of the week. I put the first hank on my skein winder last night and wound the first ball. No problems with that! I'll do more ball winding today.
Wed, 10/03/2012 - 12:24

endorph

are glorious. Good luck with the ball winding!
Wed, 10/03/2012 - 19:12

design2weave (not verified)

I am jumping in feet (primarily hands, though) first to tackle LINEN.  After spending 3 weeks in Norway this summer and visiting the home/studio of a weaver who had made the most amazing handwoven goods from Linen, I am inspired to ditch my fear and try my luck at weaving with linen.  Really, how bad can it be????  :)  So, with very little time (thanks to 3 active sons in XC and football) I will try my hardest to explore a project with linen. If you don't hear from me in while, call for help...I may be stuck in the rabbit hole with a couple cones of misbehaved linen.  

 

Wed, 10/03/2012 - 19:21

KarenIsenhower

Design2weave, it sounds like you have what it takes to do this. Your experience from Norway will inspire the rest of us, too. When you have some ideas of what sort of project you want to try, do fill us in!
Wed, 10/03/2012 - 21:11

design2weave (not verified)

Karen--I LOVE the colors of the mohair you have selected! 

Here is my Linen inspiration.  This table runner was woven by Astrid Grimsby of Knapstad, Norway.  She is the weaver I visited with during my trip to visit my former host family.  I am formulating my weaving plans with hopes of something scandinavian inspired!

Wed, 10/03/2012 - 21:42

endorph

beautiful Design2weave. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
Wed, 10/03/2012 - 22:54

KarenIsenhower

I can see why this inspires you, Design2weave! I'm looking forward to seeing how you take this forward.

Thank you so much for the comment about the mohair colors. They are out of my usual palette, so I was afraid they might be garish, but I have already grown to like them quite a lot.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 20:08

gailc

Ok, I have come to my senses. My first try with linen should not be an 8 shaft pattern. I found 5 spools (actually partial spools) that have no label, but the autumn colors should make a nice table runner. I have to try to figure out what weight this yarn is - it is much thicker than the 10/2 I was planning to use. Will try to add a photo later. I may have to ask on the main boards. Here is a photo of the colors I will be using (once I find out what this stuff is). I had to cheat and use flickr to get the photo here. halloweave_linen
Fri, 10/05/2012 - 19:59

gailc

I give up. I am not getting the icons to add an image to my group post.
Fri, 10/05/2012 - 20:13

endorph

are you using Internet Explorer? If so that is the issue uploading photos to group posts. I have to use Firefox to add photos to group photos, alothough I can use IE when I am creating projects - its something to do with the interface between IE and the website. . .    Tina
Fri, 10/05/2012 - 21:28

gailc

Yes, I am using IE. I never had the problem before, but havent tried to post a photo for a while. I guess I will just continue to use flickr until I decide that Ive had enough of IE.
Fri, 10/05/2012 - 22:16

endorph

having issues with IE until they "upgraded" my computer. The only time I use Firefox (free download) is when I want to load photos here!
Mon, 10/08/2012 - 15:40

gailc

I finally started weaving.  I wound the warp a few days ago, then had to decide on a pattern.  Kerstin Froberg gave me some advice which included that it would be easier on the yarn to have it sleyed 2 ends per dent.  So, that made my decision to do a twill at 12 epi with 2 per dent in a 6 dent reed.  This stuff is not easy to work with at all, but I think I got it wound fairly well on the back beam.  I dont have enough of any single color, so used a striped warp and will weave one bobbin of mauve at each end and in between I will use one of my orange colors.  I probably have enough of the gold to do the entire weft with it, but I start of weavingdont think I would like the end result of that.

Amazingly, my ability to add photos to a comment is back, so here is my progress:

warp spread on loom

 

Photos are in the wrong order, but I cant figure out how to edit it. 

Mon, 10/08/2012 - 16:54

KarenIsenhower

Gailc, you're off to a grand beginning! I love the way others contribute and help along the way. Way to go, Kerstin!

Mon, 10/08/2012 - 22:29

endorph

cotton and linen towels today. We learned that keeping the linen damp helps to control some of the kinking and crimping. I am really enjoying it so far. Will try and remember to take pictures tomorrow.
Mon, 10/08/2012 - 22:36

KarenIsenhower

That's good to know, Tina, about keeping the linen damp. Sounds like you're having a good time in class. Looking forward to seeing your pics.

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Frightful Fibers