Fiber Query

turning skein into center pull ball

I have figured out what I am gong to make with my MidWest Weavers Association conference yarn. If you know what class I taught at the 2005 Missouri Fiber Retreat in Jefferson City, Missouri you will know what I will be making. I designed the "item" because I thought it should be an original design. So if I made my instructions correctly it shouldn't be too much trouble to 'make' it again.

According to the member exhibits information, if I use the conference yarn, I must use at least 50% in my creation. We can "throw caution to the wind" on what we make! My kind of rules.!

Tromp As Writ

Here is an example of how I "read the threads"or "tromp as writ" or "treadle as drawn in" or "weave on the diagonal".

The reason you would weave like this is if you sat down at a loom that was threaded to an overshot draft and  there are no treadling directions anywhere. You don't have to cut if off the loom, you weave by reading the threading. 

Take for instance this first photo. I have followed the 'blocks' from the edge and this next blocks I have done is showing me that there were seven threads, but one thread shares with each block, so I will only threw six picks on treadle three, (and of course I have used tabby). Always one less pattern pick than warp threads.

The next block is on treadle four and I will throw only three picks because there are four threads here.

 

 

And the next block falls on treadle one and I will throw four pattern picks and four tabby picks. The yellow pin in on that block. The next block was on treadle three and it had three picks. and I just continue across the warp until I get to the left edge, then I go back to the right edge and follow another diagonal line across.

Weaver Rose continues...some more

OK, back to the Baby Wolf,  Weaver Rose and his overshot draft. I don't think I have messed this one up as I am following the diagonal line across and not written directions. Well, I do have the treadling written down, but I try not to look at it. I look if I can't figure out what's next. There are several places where there is only one pick of the treadle and that sometime can be a bear to figure out!

I am going to just weave until I come to the end of this warp. It's either a six yard warp or an eight yard warp. Again, it's good to keep your notes where you can find them. So next year, no cleaning  house for company!! They can step over the yarn and reeds and shuttles just like DH has to do every day ;-)  I did do some sampling on this warp, so it is any one's guess how long this will end up.

Cutting Off the Macomber

I finished the warp that was on the 10 shaft Macomber. Maybe people shouldn't try to weave during the holidays with going here and there and company and such...... My clasp weft scarf is only 36" long.... I guess I looked at the wrong notes and thought I had woven 72". Oh well, it was an experiment anyway.

The plain weave scarf is the right size, but the part where I did the pattern work doesn't really show that much. But I will go ahead and twist the fringe anyway. Who knows, it might wash up and be really something. Again, another experiment.

Before I cut this warp off the Macomber, I took my camera to see what this yarn looks like really up close. You think your yarn is really slick, but maybe not! Maybe this is why this Bambu is so soft?

Conference Yarn

I got my Midwest Weavers conference yarn. It's a little lighter than my photo shows it. We are to make 'something' using at least 50% of it. I still have no idea what I will come up with. First I will have to put in into a ball so I can either wind it for warp or onto a bobbin.

If you have never attended a weaving conference or workshop you really should give it a try. Not only do you learn a lot, but you pick up so many great ideas. I try to keep a small notebook with me so I can jot down some awesome jacket I saw or heard about a great way to hemstitch, or how they got that color.

I have attended two of the MidWest Weavers Conferences and have come away from both re-charged and excited all over again about my craft.

What's on the Macomber?

What's on the Macomber is the gold bambu warp on whick I have just finished the clasp weft scarf.

You can see it from under the loom here. If you look real close you can see that each pick is two thicknesses of the threads. I sure hope it looks a lot better after it is washed.

I have some ideas on what to do next, but haven't gotten them (the ideas) all squared away in the old brain. It will be something with the MidWest Weavers conference yarn, but don't know what yet!

I am still working on the Weaver Rose overshot on the Baby Wolf too.

And a snow storm is coming tonight, maybe I will be snowed in tomorrow and will be able to weave all day. I know I have plenty of projects to keep me busy for a while.

Thank You and Happy Holidays

A special thank you to all of YOU who check in and read my blog. I have enjoyed sharing my fiber trials and triumph with you. If the creek don't rise to much, I will continue on my weaving and sock knitting adventures into 2013. So hope you check in when you get a chance.


PEACE, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Anyone for crackle, tied weaves, taquete, huck, twill, overshot, plain weave, doubleweave,  Bateman, Bronson, Woven Shibori in 2013..........................?????

Purple Socks Anyone?

Still knitting on the purple socks. Here I am working on the heel of sock number two. These may end up being mine. I felted a pair the other day, so I need a replacement pair.

I did get all the socks knitted for family members and mailed. But I was hoping to get a couple of scarves knitted too, but just didn't. Maybe they will be done by next year.

The oranges are from my cousin and his wife who live in Florida. They are Yummy! Thanks Lyle and RuthAnn.

Texture, Up Close and Personal

I dropped my camera in my chair and it took a picture! Looking at the texture of the fabric was very interesting. So what other cloth do I have in the house that looks different up close? Here are a few.


This is the fabric of my chair.

 

This is a locker hook placemant.



This is a woven placemant.



This is a woven placemat.



Purple Weaver Rose ?

When I go to bed my brain sometimes keeps working. I think I dreamed of this treadling.  I am using the "Ladey Washingtons Delight" threading from Weaver Rose. (That is on page 81 and is noted as #102.) Again I have not kept with the traditional as-drawn-in treadling but more free form treadling. I doubt if I will ever weave this, but it's nice to see what some of the possibilities could be with this warp. I even like the purple color. Makes me think of my weaving friend, Barbara. She is in a 'purple zone'.

There are a couple resources out there, if you are interested, in creative overshot. A couple are:  CREATIVE OVERSHOT - Margaret B. Windeknecht, Shuttle Craft Guild, Monograph Thirty One and a newer book OVERSHOT: A MANUAL FOR CREATIVE DRAFTING AND WEAVING - Peter Mitchell. Either one will give you  good ideas to thread once and treadle lots of different ways. It's nice if you have spent hours and hours to thread 800 ends to get several different looks!

Another Twist on Weaver Rose

I got to thinking more about the draft and what all could be done with it. I got back on the computer and came up with this treadling. Again, I like this one too. I do see some places that don't quite look right, so I would need to fix them. But all in all, it could work.

I am still weaving on Weaver Rose No Name Coverlet #156. I have finished two full repeats across the warp and have started on repeat number three. (58 inches so far).

A Twist on Weaver Rose

Sometimes it's just fun to play with your weaving software. I wondered what Weaver Rose's draft "Ladey Washingtons Delight" would look like if I treadled it using No Name draft #156. It doesn't have the diagonal line, but still gives a pleasing design.

The idea is to thread an overshot draft on your loom and then use several different treadlings to get totally different designs. This one would also look good in two different colors.

Another Weaver Rose

While I keep weaving on Weaver Rose #156, I thought I would try and figure out another one of his drafts. Using pencil and paper and then my weaving software I am on page 81 of the book The Weaving Roses of Rhode Island. This draft he has called "Ladey Washingtons Delight". The notes in the book say it's "a small Double Chariot Wheel and Table."

Here is what it looks like in my weaving software - WeaveIt Pro. I am showing two repeats in both treadling and threading. I think this would look good using two colors. I changed color at each block change.

Right - Left, Do It Again

I have come to the left side of the warp by following the threading blocks. So far this one complete repeat across the warp is at the 28 1/2 inch mark.

I will go back to the right side and 'read' the blocks from right to left again. The beginning block on the right side showed I was to weave three picks. (which makes the correct block be six picks). I will not weave the edge twill threads until I am ready to finish.



Weaver Rose Nearing the Edge

Here I am about to the left edge.

I have been following the threads as-drawn-in. Or, as I weave, I find the next block that shares a thread with the last block I wove. I will weave one less thread to square the block.

As you can see from this next photo, there are seven threads in the block I have just completed, but I have woven only six picks. You weave one less thread because of the blocks sharing threads. The last thread of one block is the first block of the next block.

 "IF" you have used the correct size of threads, and "IF" you have the correct beat you will square each block. But for those of "us" who weave for fun....... we don't sweat the small stuff. It will still make a really nice design. And besides, did our Colonial fore bearers have time to square their blocks???? I think they needed to get those coverlets on the beds before winter set in.

Floating Selvage on Weaver Rose

I wasn't able to get the temple to work on this Baby Wolf. The breast beam is not level and the string wouldn't stay where I put it!

My friend, Becky, suggested I try using a floating selvage. I put one on the side I have been having all the trouble with  and it seems to have stopped the breaking threads. Yahoooo!


see floater on right side at the reed



If you look where the clip is, you can see the yellow pin head..... that is where I am now. I have been weaving across the warp by reading the blocks. Some times called "tromp as writ" or "treadle as drawn in" or "on the diagonal". 

Festivas Sock Tree

Thinking I might need to take a deep breath and step away from Weaver Rose .... I decided to decorate for the holidays. (still looking for that temple)

I had to smile when our son called to say that his outside Christmas lights weren't working correctly. My outside decorations do not require electricity! 

This is some of the socks, that over the years have felted or lost their partner. The 'garland' is the left over yarn after I have knitted the socks. And the two big stocking are there just in case Santa can't find the chimney!

Happy Festivas! (click photo to enlarge!)

Re-Post of Cross Holder

Here is a photo of the cross holder that I use instead of lease sticks or holding the cross in my hand. The cross just lays on the block of wood. I pick up one or two threads at a time and have both hands free to get the threads through the reed or tie onto an old warp. This is showing it on the Baby Wolf.

Broken Threads

OK, this is driving me nuts!!!  I have got to find that temple that Katie said I need to try.
I really like this red 5/2 as pattern weft.



Two more warp threads have broken.....

Weaver Rose and More Colors

     Going to the stash has yielded a mystery yarn that I think I am going to use. It's navy, 1/2 pound and the label says "Interstate Yarn Mills, Inc." That is all I can tell from the label. It's something I bought at a garage sale years ago. It might be 16/2 or something like that...... it's shinny and textured so it might be rayon. I almost feel like telling this yarn "Ready or not, here I come."

I am going to weave on the diagonal, so I have a yellow pin on the line that I will follow. 

OK, that didn't work. To much texture to the yarn. And edge threads are still breaking!

I went and dug through the stash again and found some 5/2 red. I had it with the 8/2 stuff!! Me, organized? I think not!! I hope this one works, as I am afraid I will not have very much warp to work with if I don't decide soon.

Overshot on the Diagonal

This little experiment is to see what the section between the repeats looks like. If you look where I have the paper clip and see the small blue pin head, you can see the diagonal line I am following.

Problem: The threads on the right side keep breaking. Not the very edge thread, but the second and third threads in from the edge. I guess my tension is a mess on that side.... good thing I am working on sampling or I would be $*^+ ! Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and keep trucking. (I don't know what that means, but sounds like sound advice!!)

Weaver Rose and Me

Here is the draft woven with 5/2 blue cotton as pattern weft and 20/2 off-white cotton as tabby. When I wove using the 10/2 as pattern the repeat with borders was four and one half inches long. This blue 5/2 is coming out five and three fourths inches long. Hummmmm. Using the 5/2 as pattern weft would make the weaving go faster. You know, I would get done sooner, but it would not be square. But I am not one to weave overshot square. (sorry). I just go with the flow.... after all.........I weave for the fun of it! And it does make a pleasant pattern. I like how this 5/2 covers the warp.

Weaver Rose and two colors

How about two colors? I am still using the 10/2 cotton, and think they need to be a bit thicker, but for now I am just concentrating on the color combination. I started with red, but what would it look like if I started with the blue? Again, I have shown one repeat of the treadling with the beginning and ending edges.

And how about those edges? Well, I did not try to carry the color up the side like I would if this wasn't a sample. But the eight threads on each side in 1-2-3-4 order has allowed me not to use a floating selvage.  And remember, this will look a lot better once it is washed and ironed.

Weaver Rose - One Repeat

OK, here it is. I can see why Weaver Rose didn't give it a name. It is very lovely and would make a great coverlet. Sometimes when we put names on things, they can't escape that meaning. By just calling this 'Coverlet' he sidestepped that problem.

I have used a 10/2 red cotton for pattern and a 20/2 off-white cotton for tabby. I may try to go up to 5/2, if I can find a color that speaks to me! Of course I just ordered some 10/2 the other day, and should have ordered the 5/2. I didn't want to use wool, as I wanted this to be able to be thrown in the washer and dryer. The smart thing would be to cut this off and wash it and see what the 'shrink-ness' is. But I want to try using two colors too. So I will do some more sampling before I weave any great length. I just hope I put on enough. Otherwise I will have to tie on!

I am showing one full repeat of the pattern including the ending edge. It would also make a great edge design of towels or even pillow cases.

Progress At Last

Making progress on Weaver Rose.  It's taken a while to get this far, or so it seems. I have been on a small side street. But life is slowing getting back to normal. 

And this is the view from the front. I am using the rubber scalp brush my weaving friend Jeff discovered. Since I warp by myself, I need to use all the help and tricks I can find. This one save my hands. I am using 10/2 cotton and it is really not causing me any problems winding on. At least so far!



Help from a Weaving Friend

I had to enlist my weaving friend to help me. She will get me moving in the right direction.

I think I am nearing the middle of getting the threads through the heddles. This is just a six yard warp, so you would think I would have it beamed by now! Once I get this on the loom, the weaving should go pretty fast. Overshot is one of my favorite weave structures.

A Sock of A Different Color

Weaver does not live on weaving alone. Some times we need to sit back and smell the wool sock yarn!

Here the latest pair of socks with my directions. I did a little bit of pattern work on the top of this sock so I needed to write down what I did so I would do the other sock the same. I remember one pair of socks I knitted  a few years ago, while DH was in the hospital, that had a bit of lace work on the cuff area. I ended up with one sock two inches longer than the other. Lesson Learned! Keep notes!!

A Few More Heddles

Getting a little more of the heddles threaded for this Weaver Rose draft #156. I have two full repeats threaded...... only five more repeats to go! Maybe I am not as fast getting this on the loom as I had hoped!!

418 Heddles To Go

Yes, only 418 heddles to thread. I have added eight threads on each edge in 2/2 twill in hopes it will make it so I do not have to use floating selvages. With a pattern repeat of only 62 ends, maybe this will go fast!! (famous last words?)

The traditional blocks for overshot are: 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 1-4. As you can see, each block shares a shaft with it's neighbor. The blocks can be as wide as you want, as long as the floats are not to long for the intended project. There are different ways of treadling overshot: rose fashion, star fashion, or on opposites. Or, if interested in creative overshot you might want to try and find Shuttle Craft Guild, Monograph Thirty One, by Margaret B. Windeknecht: Creative Overshot.

Heddles - Shafts

Of course I will lift the 'shafts' to make it easier to thread from the front! Because the heddles are attached to the shafts. (or harnesses if you prefer).

Phase One Done

It was hit-and-miss, but was able to finish getting the warp through the reed...... I will lift the heddles and thread from the front of the loom. I usually put a book or kite stick under them to keep them lifted.

Next I will thread the heddles. I must take my time here, so no TV watching for this part. (But I can listen to the radio.)

Progress on Warping Weaver Rose

Getting some loom time to get the Weaver Rose warp on the Baby Wolf. This is part where I usually watch TV and then wonder why I have a denting error. After I go through the reed, I will thread the heddles then tie onto the back. Once I get started, I enjoy this part.

Get Ready, Get Set......

I think I have all my 'toys' ready to warp the loom.
1. scissors
2. reed hook
3. cross holder
4. paper ruler
5. draft + pencil
6. 450 ends of 10/2 cotton
7. red comb (to comb out tangles as I wind on!)