Rug - 56 inch mark

I need to finish the second half of the second wheel then the first wheel to balance and then I think the rug may be done. I have completed 56 inches, so far.

No photo today but here is a poem about my Cups and Saucers Breakfast Rug.

In the mornings I eat my oatmeal

And I don’t think it’s such a big deal

To add the butter and cinnamon

When the TV weather man in on.

I will eat it with two green eggs and some ham

And wonder if I should have picked lamb.

My Breakfast Rug will catch the crumbs

And I will smile.

Rug - 51 inch mark

Another slow spell. Maybe I had decaf coffee instead of regular coffee when I had my oatmeal and green eggs and ham while weaving on my Breakfast Rug.

Maybe tomorrow or the next day I will have more weaving time. I am getting excited to see what this will look like laying on the floor. And any errors will be called 'designer elements' !!!!!!!

Rug - Helper is Pleased

The shuttles have been flying and I am now at inch 48. Yippy!! And, I still have lots of yarn and warp left. Only 24 more inches until the 72 inch mark. I will need to remember to balance my motifs, by finishing with the first wheel (cup).

My helper is please with my progress.

Dentist Sock

My Dentist wanted a pair of my hand knit socks. And he wanted them to be wild! No plain black or brown socks for him. I hope they are wild enough for him. The other one to be done soon.

Watching the Olympics is perfect sock knitting weather.

Socks for me and Dentist

Getting a little sock knitting in. Got the handpainted green-ish alpaca/silk socks done. And even though I didn't make any big mistakes, they are for me. In the mean time I have started knitting on a pair of socks for my dentist. He wanted a pair of really crazy socks. So far I have the cuff done, getting ready to do the heel.

Rug -a different view

I am keeping my shuttles flying......or at least at a slow crawl. Here is a view from down under my Macomber loom. It looks like progress to me!

Rug - keeping track

There are a few things I am learning as I weave this rug. I am double beating the weft in. I didn't understand when my friend told she added a weight to her beater bar. Now I know why.

And since this isn't weaving as regular overshot, I had trouble keeping my place. So I got out paper and markers to help me keep track.  But the good news is that I have woven to inch 40!! I am aiming for 72 inches.

Rug - inch by inch

A few inches was all I was able to weave today. But I do have a breakfast poem for my Breakfast Rug!

If tomorrow morning

the sky falls,

have clouds

for breakfast.

                       by Cooper Edens

My Cups and Saucers Breakfast Rug

As I weave this rug, I remember that another name for Wheel of Fortune is Cups and Saucers. So with the oatmeal, brown and green yarns I  re-name this the Cups and Saucers Breakfast Rug?!!

Another few inches done:

Rug - Back on Task

Still working on "the rug" woven Italian fashion. I was able to weave about six inches in about two hours twenty minutes today. I think I spent more time winding bobbins than weaving. For some reason I have all my bobbins full of other threads I can't bring myself to empty.

Oh well, I treadle on....



Can you see the butter, cinnamon and cream in the oatmeal yarn? I guess the brown yarn could be the coffee and the green yarn is the green eggs and ham.
 Click photo to enlarge.



Italian Fashion Research

As I get back to the Wheel of Fortune rug, I was curios about just what was ‘weaving Italian fashion’. The draft and instructions I am using are from The Weaver’s Journal, Vol. IV, Issue 16, April 1980. It says that three shuttles are needed with one as the dominant color. While using an overshot draft the color order changes as the rug progresses.

According to Osma Gallinger Tod and his The Joy of Handweaving “weaving in the Italian manner is not recommended for rugs”. But he does say it is ‘particularly interesting in Patterns of the modern style.” As this book is copyright 1964, I wonder what he would think about our 2012  ‘modern styles’?

Mary Black says in her New Key To Weaving book that flame point and the Italian method are very similar. “The main difference is that flame point has four blocks, each of a different color, while the Italian method has only three colors. “ She goes on to say that the color order remains the same. This draft that I am using has me throw the dominate color (green) to start a block and to end a block. (So I have two picks of green together.) 

No matter how you slice it, the weaving is slow going with three shuttles and three colors to keep track of. So I am off to weave a few inches.

Gift Closet

I have made mention several times about putting a finished item in 'the gift closet'. I had a question from a friend who wanted to know if I really had such a thing. So here is a sneak peek!

Yes, Santa is there as a warning to all family members not to attempt to look inside.

Here is your sneak peek inside! Don't tell!!

Dimity Scarf Ready for the Gift Closet

Working on this project was great fun. I love working with a painted warp. It's magic to see how the colors mingle as the weft crosses the warp.

Eight Shaft Dimity Scarf

Painted Tencel Warp

Light Green Silk Weft



Dimity Scarf Done

With the shuttle having done it's job, it time to finish twisting fringe then wash and press the Dimity scarf.  I am not saying that beads might not be involved, but I think this project is almost done.

Dimity Up-Close

I was able to get a little weaving done on the Dimity painted warp. 42 inches done, only 30 inches to go. Here is a close-up:

There is an article that is listed as 'page 5' that can be found here: Dimity. This is just one of many articles that Ralph Griswald gathered and posted on the University of Arizona web sight.

Article for CW Journal

My version of Princess Dimity.

This is what the draw down looks like for the scarf I am making for my Complex Weavers Journal submission. You can see the areas of plain weave separating the blocks. When I am using a painted warp, I make the threading the black threads so I can tell if the warp will show very much. The white areas are the weft.  
This painted warp is 10/2 Tencel. I was going to weave another scarf with this warp, but can't find my notes.... Oh well! It is working very nicely for this project.

I had a cone of pale green in my stash that I think is silk. (When it's wet, it smells.) It's about the same thickness as the 8/2 Tencel that is on the market today. I should get a good drape with the Tencel warp and silk weft.  

100th Complex Weavers Journal

I am taking a break from 'the Rug' to work on a submission to the 100th issue of the Complex Weavers Journal. Deadline for submission is August 15, 2012. We were asked to tell about an article that inspired us from a past Journal article. So this is what I am working on......Dimity and a painted warp.

The article that spoke to me was one by Horace Lethbridge titled "Whatever Happened to Princess Dimity?" May 2000, Issue 63, page 27.  If you don't have that issue, it's in the Complex Weavers Compilation #3 that can purchased from their web sight. Complex Weavers  Just another perk for being a member of this weaving community.

Rug - Thinking Twice

I went back and fixed my error, and have now finished one full repeat. It comes to just shy of eleven inches on the loom.

This is slow going with three shuttles always changing color order placement, unlike boundweave where you never change the color order. So not only do I have to keep track of treading order, I have to make sure I throw the correct color in the right order too. It might be called 'double thinking'!!

Rug - error

As you can see from the photo below, I have an error. So I will do what we in knitting call "Frogging'. I guess in weaving it's called 'un-weaving'..... By any other name, it's the pits!!

This error occurred when I was finishing the first wheel. I will have to study the directions and see why I went wrong. Maybe I just threw the wrong color, or picked the wrong treadle. Guess I will know after I 'un-do' my error!

Rug- Woven Italian Fashion

Now that I have plenty of rug yarn (I hope!). I will use the same warp and threading and weave this next small rug Italian fashion, using three shuttles and three colors.

I am using green, brown, and oatmeal. The oatmeal has small flecks of color in it to look like butter and brown sugar. Fun!

Dimity Towels Done

Here are the six Dimity towels. Washed and hemmed! Some of them will go into 'The Gift Closet', and a couple might even wind up in my kitchen. I have a shelf in my linen closet where I put extra items I have woven, so if I need a quick gift, there it is.

Putting the sett at 18 epi gave these 8/2 cotton towels a very nice hand. The pink one is the softest. I think I beat the peach slub one to hard. It's not near as soft. But will make a good towels anyway.

Progress with Dimity and Rug

The rug yarn came, and it's gonna work. They're not really the right shades, but you can't tell unless you look under a very bright light.....and I only need 24 picks of the new yellow....and only a few of the new green. That's my story about that, and I am sticking to it!

This rug should be done soon. But since I put on extra warp, I am going to try weaving another one of the techniques in the Weavers' Journal (April 1980.) This next one will have three colors. 'Cause you know----- I ordered more yarn than just these two cones!

I did manage to get one of the Dimity towels hemmed. It's the one with the light brown weft. I like how the strips in the warp mingle with the stripes of the weave structure.

Back to the Dimity Towels

While I wait for my rug yarn that I had to order to get here, I will finish off the Dimity Towels. I was able to get six towels out of the warp, and still have enough for a nice size sample for my records. One has stripes on one edge, The rest all have the same weft throughout: light brown (could be beige), white, dull black, pink slub, and peach slub.

Now it's in to the washing machine and then hemmed!

Rug - IF Only

On the July 4th post I told how I was hoping that the three pounds of wool I had would be enough for a rug. Well, it might have been "if" I hadn't done a six inch sample, and "if" I had done the math "before" I started.  I do know I am to calculate needed materials before I begin. But.......................... didn't!  So I have placed the order for more, and if the colors don't match, that will be the edge I put under the bed!! I only had 48 picks until I was done ;-(

And, since I am using only two colors, that other pound of purple wool isn't doing me a bit of good! So back to the Dimity towels... I need to get them finished and off the loom anyway. Can't use them if they are still on the loom.

Rug - Lessons Learned

A few of the things I have learned about this rug weaving:  Number one is that you have to watch that temple.... it will keep some of your weft and you won't let you know about it until you have advanced your temple a couple of time.

Second, you have to be very careful to twist the wefts at the edge. Sometimes I can 'fudge it' with fine threads. But this large wool will show all.

And third: move that temple every forth or fifth pick!

Rug - Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune draft I am working on is the two color on opposites without tabby version. I have my trusty temple to help with draw-in. Another name for this draft is Cups and Saucers.

Another Great Guild Meeting

I will apologise for these photo's. I had to use my back-up camera and was only able to get a few photo of some of the wonderful show and tell. Carol had some awesome painted bamboo and silk warp chains I wasn't able to get a photo of. We will just have to wait until she weaves them into scarves!



Janice: Painted cotton warps



Jan: Wool Thick and Think Afghan





Janice: Felted, stitched, beads



Marilynn: Silk Scarves



Jan: Wool Houndstooth Scarf



Our program was presented by Tomi on Log Cabin. Her samples show the different effects you get with different sizes of fibers. Log Cabin has lots to offer and you only need four shafts. And she showed us how to make an Infinity Scarf with a 18" x 30" piece of fabric. Very clever, Tomi!!

update: you only need TWO shafts! 10:22 a.m.

Rugs- Outside the Box

I am taking a break from the dimity towels and have gone to the big Macomber loom. I have decided I really need to go outside my comfort box. So I am going to attempt to weave a wool rug. I do have some rug wool that I bought several years ago for a workshop I was unable to attend. I have three- one pound cones. (really- that's all I have in the stash) And since I really don't know anything about weaving rugs, I hope that will be enough.

The Weaver's Journal, April 1980, is where I have gone to begin. Overshot is the weave structure that captured me we to weaving. So what better weave structure to use than it.

I don't know if you can tell, but I had two different colors of carpet warp. So my Cabool Guild friends told me to just alternate them. That should blend them and if nothing else make it look like a 'design element'!

Sock Alert

Remember when I dyed some sock yarn (March 9, 2012 post)? I have knitted up two balls and am working on the third. I would show you the 1st pair I made, except they made it into the washing machine and will now only fit a very small doll!!!!!  Lesson learned! These are 'hand wash only'.
But, oh, how yummy soft--alpaca, wool, silk.

Yes, I am using metal needles. I have used the wooden ones, but once I got a splinter from them, so I use the metal ones now. Besides, I already own quite a few of the metal needles, so why buy the circular needles and have to learn how the knit socks all over again? For me, sock knitting is 'zin'. I do it to relax my brain and covering my feet or my DH or my family's feet is a bonus.

Pink Dimity Weft

I had gone to my stash and wondered what weft to use next. I saw some pink/white cotton slub yarn that  I have had for years. I can't even remember where I got it, it's been so long. The cone doesn't even have count or color name on it. I thought that the pink would go with brown and black, so I have given it a try. I think it will be a great towel. I don't know what will happen to the visual texture of the dimity ribs after it is washed, only time will tell.

Complex Weavers June 2012 Journal

Received my Complex Weavers June 2012 Journal in the mail! The new color version is awsome and the articles are excellent!! Complex Weavers is an all volunteer organization. Not only do they produce a first class Journal, they have a web presence, and host Seminars .

Of course I don't say all this because I have an article in there and I share a two page spread with  Linda Davis . I say this because it is an great weaving community to belong too. Our Bateman Study Group is one of the featured articles along with the Crackle Study Group.There are several other excellent articles. You have to be a member to receive the Journal. But well worth the cost IMHO.  

My article is titled 'Snowpeas in a Park Weave'. (The sample I did is what I have used on the banner of this blog.) This study group is exploring Dr. William Bateman's work. Virginia Harvey organized his work into six monographs that our group will explore over the next six years. This monograph is Park Weave, Shuttle Craft Guild Monograph Thirty-Seven. For more information about this study group or anything Complex Weaver, visit here: Complex Weavers