Down to Business or Down to the Wire

I found the posts to mount my raddle on the AVL, the warp is prepared but will I be able to thread and weave in time for Xmas day???  I have been working my real job a little more the last week or so and lost some time.

Holiday Towels

I have started the cotton warp for some holiday towels.  They need to be quick to make, elegant and yet easy!

So I am using 16/2 cotton and 16/2 linen with 5/2 pearl cotton for segments of color.

New Toys

I have used Fiberworks PCW for years.  I use it to run my designs on my AVL compudobby.  I use it to create designs for all my looms.

Today I was able to load the MAC version and it is fabulous!  Still playing around a little as some things obviously work a little differently but as with most things MAC, it is a pleasure!

Need a Quick Gift

Hmmm, went downstairs to take a peek at my yarn stash.  Thinking of doing a summer and winter "Nordic" design kitchen towels in cotton and linen.  It would be a 16 shaft weave with the pattern in a cotton pearl.  Let's see how far that idea gets!

FIBERWORKS PCW now has a mac version (unfortunately no loom driver yet) but as my mac OS has been upgraded I can no longer access my virtual pc with fiber works.  Maybe the MAC upgrade of Fiberworks could be a gift from Santa!  Now there's an idea.

A Gentle Reminder From the Universe

Haven't thought too much about weaving projects.  In fact I have been cleaning out some of my looms, thinking about downsizing.  I have my keepers and my aim is to computerize my smaller Finnish loom.  Then just as I was filing weaving away for the next few months, I received an email from a owner of the store at which I teach a beginners weaving class asking if we can schedule January classes.

Yesterday I also spied some lovely holiday baskets which I thought would make great containers for holiday towels for the ladies in my family.  So maybe this weekend I can post about a new kitchen holiday towel warp and its progress.

Remember the Pickle?

Today my brother in law is visiting, he loving all things Irish, this will be an appropriate gift for his birthday.  The colors are well suited for an Irish theme.  Scarf is washed and drying ready for final burling.

I'll Post Some Weavey Stuff Soon - I Promise!

Sigh, I'ts only Wed.   Hope to have something pretty and interesting to look at that is totally fiber related next week!

When This Week Is Over

........ I will clean my house, laundry, reorganize my bedroom, finish the drawloom set up and take photos of all the equipment I am selling for potential buyers and make some holiday goodies .... the problem is, I still have to get through this week.

What do ya mean "it's almost Thanksgiving?"

YIKES, that went fast!  My family lives in England, so in my "pre-slave" days when I was a stay home mommy, the house would be getting prepped for the holidays and Christmas pictures for the Christmas cards would be ready - all to be mailed by Nov 20th at the latest!

But now alas, with 3 children across the board age wise (one thinking about college) and a near full time job teaching little ones, and weaving and going back to school for a different certification, things are, lets say, a little unorganized!  I have backed off my teaching of weaving and have not done a single show this year.

It is my favorite time of the year but it is also coming at me like a freight train.  Here is the sched for next week:

Organize a Thanksgiving Feast for an entire school (3 other teachers involved)
Make Thanksgiving decorations for the pre-schoolers
Take number one son to hopefully get braces off
Take both boys to CCD
Homework
French Tutor
Soccer Practice
Baseball training
clothes for # 1 sons Confirmation next week
book restaurant
get cake
Pick up High Schooler and drive her to Big Sister, Photo Club etc
(Ok, we are only up to Wed so far)
attend son # 2's teacher conference
get daughter something to wear for Confirmation
get something for me to wear for Confirmation
Attend a friends housewarming
study for a MAJOR test next weekend
clean for company coming in for Confirmation

get the image - yeah... that's the one....where smoke is coming out of my head, because I still didn't cover laundry, housework and dinner!

AND I still haven't thought about Christmas cards!  But the best part is..... after next weekend - no more studying!  and on Thanksgiving it is my BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!

So - being the optimist I will look forward to Thanksgiving week, a couple of days off and a celebration with my family.

Naked looms will have to stay that way and there may not be any "woven gifts" this year.  But I count my blessings.



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I'd take a picture but it went so well with what I wore today!

As I am in "no show" (as in fairs) mode, I am enjoying the fruits of my labor!  The deflected double weave scarf I made is really quite nice.  It is light and comfortable and goes really well with my charcoal shirt!  So folks, I did not snag a photo of it using Lovely Lola, maybe later in the week when it's time to do laundry and I am out of clothes that go with my scarf!

Spent several hours studying and making flash cards for a class I am taking.  It sure is harder when you get older to learn a lot of new terminology!

Dawn

It All Looks Rather Confusing?

The problem with this style of drawloom set up is - 2 warps initially and two sets of harnesses to be threaded!  I chose gold and brown carpet warp (strong and inexpensive) and the warp is in blocks of 10 threads per color alternating for 360 ends.  Now it has to be beamed and I need an apron for the overhead drawcord beam.

As I am studying for a fitness certification - it may be another week before I get to it.

Happy Halloween!

So, the scarf is 70% finished.  I am sure it will go to a good home!  Tried to do some weaving despite doorbell interruptions from trick or treaters.  The holidays are coming up and as usual I leave it till the last possible minute to put a couple of "gift warps" on the loom.  I also have an ambitious wedding project to start.  My Niece is getting married in April and I would love to create some linen table-ware for her and her hubby!

Happy Halloween

Tick Tick Tick

Clock's a tickin, Halloweave ends tomorrow (31st) and my usual Mon-Thur workweek with a Sunday all day class means - I'm not done! My scarf is 50 % finished.  I have to say, it got me out of my comfort zone and gave me some new things to think about.  I will probably go on and make a Ruana for myself in deflected double weave.

Sample Finished

Finished sample after wet finishing is now 9 x 7.  The fabric is light and lofty and will make a very warm Ruana.  Not too sure about the light green stripes which means 3 shuttles,  it doesn't add tremendously to the design.

Deflected Double Weave Sample

Using 10 shafts with 2 for selvedge, deflected double weave experiment using 20/2 worsted and Zephyr.  Both set at 16 epi so the finer worsted will close up hopefully causing distortion in the Zephyr.  This is the last project for the Halloweave contest at Weavolution http://weavolution.com

Draw Harness loom

Here are some photos of the almost complete Draw Harness conversion:

Big Lola - Li'l Lola

On my old Blog at Wordpress I wrote about my big girl "Lola."  Lola is rather voluptuous (unlike me) but she wears my goods well.

Here she is modeling my unfulled - soon to be fulled merino scarf.

Now meet Li'l Lola

Standing a stately 3" tall,  cute huh?

Too Tired to Talk

Ok, no pics, but the good news is, I am almost finished with converting the Glimåkra to a draw harness damask loom.  I had the front shaft frame for 75 shafts, I had the 10 shaft Opphamta attachment, lingos, long eye heddles etc. but the basement is tight quarters and not enough height for a 75 shaft system.  Plus I dislike setting up that system.

I will post pictures next week, I am covered in sawdust and my arm muscles hurt!  I can't wait to actually get this up and running!

More Deflected Double Weave

8 Shaft this time, quite a generic deflected double weave but I need to get this project going quickly!

Old Loom - New Topic

Recently on Weavolution there has been discussion of loom conversions for drawloom weaving.  Here are pictures from my old Wordpress Blog of a Varpa loom which underwent a successful conversion to a drawloom:

New Project - Deflected Double Weave

After felting, time for something else, deflected double weave.  It has been a while since I did double weave so this should be fun.  I plan to use 16 shafts and a worsted black wool and zephyr for a ruana.

Merino Scarf Sample

Merino wool scarf

The scarf warp in Shale Merino is on the loom.  It is an 8 shaft design using blocks of vertical/horizontal floats and plain weave.  As the wool is fulled the floats will bind a little and the pattern will become more secure.  Each block consists of 16 ends so the floats are quite long.

It is slow to weave as I have to beat very softly, the floats want to pack down and I need to use floating selvedges.  I plan to weave 80 inches - the finished, washed scarf will be approx 65 inches.

I'm Beaming!

Warp ready to be spread in raddle

Using paper to support the warp chain whilst selecting bouts to be placed in raddle

Spreading the warp - each space = 1/2 inch, 16 epi = 8 ends per space

Warp spread, the lease sticks were removed due to yarn furring together when winding on, I used the portee cross to spread the warp on the raddle, I will beam without sticks until I reach the porrey cross at the opposite end of the warp chain and replace the lease sticks

beaming using sticks and paper (note the snazzy new beam made by moi!)

Once I arrive at the porrey cross I re-insert the lease sticks

BEAMED! (less than 10 mins for a 7 yard warp)

After yesterdays (I'd like to pretend I didn't even do that) experiment, I decided some nice fulled merino scarves might allow me to redeem myself!  I prepared a warp for 2/18 Merino at 16 EPI on the new live weight tension beam.

Threaded

Aprons

The live weight tension beam is complete!  I built up the circumference with 1x2 strips and quarter round.  Later this week I will sew a canvas apron and install.  Meanwhile, I need to plan a warp for this new beam on the loom.  I am thinking a zephyr ruana.

Ouch!

I have spent the past two days constructing a live weight tension second beam for the Liisa, I like to weave quickly so I want to advance my warp with a simple maneuver.  It took a little time, sweat and frustration but I am half way there.  In the midst of this I also had to lower the treadle set and drill new holes in the frame for the main beam.  I am not sure if I will add sectional rails yet.  But now I have heavy tension with the ratchet and adjustable tension where the warp can be advanced with the new beam.  My hands and head are very tired!

I still have to build up the beam with 4 pieces of 1x2 and then quarter round.  Drilling into the steel was the most time consuming (aside from hand sanding to enlarge the holes in the support blocks).

The treadle set now allows me to insert treadle pins through the texsolv and hold on the pins, this eliminates the need for being under the treadles with a crochet hook!

Shadow Weave Classes

As I do not have any store classes this fall I am thinking of opening up a Shadow Weave Study Class.  Students will make a scarf in the structure using 4, 6 or 8 shafts.  Those students owning a small portable loom are invited to bring their equipment.

Class fees will include supplies and will be run from my home.  Watch for more info on scheduling.  If you are interested, both new and prior students are invited to contact me for more information.

REVENGE OF THE SHRUNKEN HEADS!

Weavolution is having a Halloweave function!  I'm planning on leading a team of "shrunken heads."

Let me explain - as a teacher on Weavolution (weavolution.com - see link in sidebar) I am leading a group of weavers to explore fabrics with differential shrinkage or fabrics that require a certain type of wet finishing to obtain a special structural effect!  Join us - it will be SPOOKTACULAR!  Halloweave runs through the 31st October!

New Project

I have been wanting to do a wide project using my double flybox for some time.  Last year I started planning a bedspread in overshot.  Conventional thinking for a coverlet for a King size bed would be to make 3 panels.  However, the repeat is quite large and was not easy to condense to 3 panels without losing a lot of design elements.

So, I have decided to do a 60 inch panel, and then cut a second 60 inch panel into 2 and use a piped embelishment to join the panels.  Below is a sample using the colors:

The yarn is a 6/2 cotton set at 18 epi with the same weft and a Shetland wool pattern thread in brown.  

Tired of Tying!

700 string heddles made.  Waiting for the work to be finished in the basement so I can put on a damask warp! 100 more to make for a total of 1600 heddles (inc the 800 texsolv I have).

Dawn

On The Back Burner

Weaving seems to be taking a back seat the last couple weeks.  My studio is off limits due to construction.  I was hoping to re-configure the drawloom, that too will have to wait.  Once Shadow weave classes are over I am thinking of some rep-weave placemats and I have an order for a baby blanket.

Into the Shadows!

Between the sounds of power tools and puppy barks I am getting my looms ready for the upcomming shadow weave classes.  You can sign up by going to weavolution.com

Shadow Weave Class

I will be teaching an online Shadow Weave class starting in late August.  For details go to http://weavolution.com and look in the classes section.  Students attend via computer and are encouraged to conduct a weave study.  The class will cover 4 - 8 shaft shadow weave, drafting and varying treadling plans to vary the design.

Salvage and Restore?

I have been asked to help with some equipment that was sitting in some moisture (a sewage break).  Upon first inspection the blackened wood seemed quite suspect, however after an initial cleaning with a mild bleach solution it looks like this might not be so bad.

The wood seems structurally sound although the product could not be sold by the owner without repair.  So weavers, if you can put your looms into rubber feet (as the countermarch looms and LeClerc looms usually are) it will prevent moisture traveling up the wood.  With some further tlc and elbow grease I may be able to restore the lower portions of the wood.

Yarn Inventory Spreadsheet

I created this spreadsheet that helps me keep track of my yarn inventory.  It can be found here -

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApZXJvcrXSzCdFdsUWhSLXZReW1ad2Rma2ZZXzl5WEE&hl=en_US

Hopefully all the formats are still in the right place as I had to clear the columns.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think?

Dawn

Warping Mill

As requested, here are photos of the mill with some rudimentary dimensions:

Mill folded stands about 52 inches high - center pole is a 1 1/2 diameter plumbers metal pole with screw cap top.

Base is made up of 2 x 2s and some mitred 1.5 x 1 pieces, metal pole is capped by a plastic 2 inch piece which sits in a hole all the way down to the bottom (metal pole sits 1/2 inch up from floor)

Cross pieces which support the side poles are 30 inches across, 1 1/2 inch wood pole is countersunk and screwed/glued.

The frame consists of 2 frames 30 in width, wood poles 40 inches long.  One frame interlocks with the other so the frame can fold (see how cross piece is one above and one sits below)

Cross pieces (24") with 1 1/2 inch dowels 5 inches long countersunk, glued and screwed.  Cross piece is 1 1/2 x 1 x 24" long, half circle cut to wrap around the wood vertical poles.  Screw eye bolts secure the two pieces together to secure the frame and make the cross bars/posts

Cross bars in place, the lower cross bars can be put according to your warp length.  Total circumference is 2 yards around.  Wood used was poplar and lightly stained.

Warping Mill Plans

In a recent discussion on Weavolution I described a home made warping mill I had made.  I will post photos as soon as I can access the mill and will include measurements for those interested.  I have had it for at least 6 years and it is holding up very well for a cost of approximately $50 dollars.  You can also email me privately via contact info or comments.

Warping Front to Back

Previously we looked at dressing for all occasions. Back to front, and back to front with weights (warp running front to back – not through the reed or heddles). Now lets look at the easy one – Front to Back. 

This is where a lot of people will say, that’s how I was taught, or that is how it is done in that great weaving book…. Each method has it’s place and each weaver uses their favorite method.  Front to back is useful for tying on to an existing warp on a smaller loom and for designing in the reed.

To begin. Place lease sticks in your crosses and secure them to the front beam of the loom. Cut the ends of your warp. If you used a guide string for center, find the center of the reed and dent accordingly. Or measure to one side of the reed for the width of your warp. For example; my warp is 10 inches, I measure 5 inches from center and start to dent. For my reed and sett I use a denting pattern of 2, 2, 1.
After a small section has been placed through the reed be sure to loosely knot to prevent your threads from coming out of the reed. When the warp has been dented in the reed (threaded through the reed) go to the back of the loom taking with you your draft and threading plan. Figure out how many heddles you need for each shaft and decide which side you would like to start threading. REMEMBER – your threading plan is now to be viewed upside down! If your plan is a 1,2,3,4 then you will thread 4,3,2,1.

Start to thread using your threading hook.
When your threading is complete tie the warp onto the back warp beam. Beam the warp under tension.  If your lease sticks are still in the front this may help with tensioning, if the sticks seem to hinder (depending on the yarn) take them out and raise a tabby shed to help tension.

 BE SURE TO WATCH AS THE END OF THE WARP NEARS THE HEDDLES AT THE FRONT – cut and tie the warp onto the front cloth beam.  Once the warp is tied onto the front apron rod and is nicely tensioned, you can raise a tabby shed and insert the lease sticks in the back of the warp.

Lease sticks in warp chain at front of loom

Cut ends ready for sleying - measure at reed for start of denting.  Secure lease sticks to breast beam of loom to free your hands.

 View from back of loom




Be sure to read your draft "upside down" as you are working from the back to thread the heddles

Threading the heddles from the back of the loom

Tie the warp to the back apron rod and wind the warp under tension

Side view (lease sticks have since been positioned at rear by lifting tabby sheds - this is easier to do ath the very end when the warp is under tension)

Tying the warp to the front apron