Dictionary

Dictionary 

I have come to the end of 'this' dictionary. Perhaps you would want to create your own. Or maybe you might add to mine.

To me, weaving is an on-going learning experience. Having a dictionary at my fingertips helps me understand the words used. If I know what twill means, I am better able to weave and create twill. If I know the meaning of half-Rya, I can do that. What does overshot on opposites mean? What are thrums? What is the difference between set and sett?

Knowing the meaning of words in the context of weaving helps the learning process.So the next time someone says, "this rug has a nice texture", know they are taking about the nubby or rough surface of that rug. You wouldn't say an Oriental rug had texture as its surface is smooth. But it does have texture. So knowing the way the weaver speaks and thinks is assisted by weaving dictionaries.

One of the very first things I learned was weaving had its own language. And the next thing I learned was that weaving words were used as a way to explain the ways of the world.

"Z" is for Z-Twist

"Z" is for Z-Twist

When the single thread was spun in a clock-wise direction a "z" twist thread was made.

In India, cotton is always spun with a "z" twist which causes greater shrinkage in the setting process. According to tradition this makes the resulting thread stronger. (Swatch Page, Spinning Helps & Hints, no date given).

Two z-twist threads plied together in the s-twist will give a very stable yarn.

"Y" is for Yarn

"Y" is for YARN

"The structure of a fabric or its weave - that is, the fastening of its elements of threads to each other - is as much a determining factor in its function as is the choice of the raw material." This great quote is from the book On Weaving by Anni Albers.  

Yarn is the weavers raw material! You can cut up a pair of blue jeans and bring it to the loom and it is now thought of as 'yarn'. You can grow your own cotton, spin it and it becomes yarn. Shear the sheep and make a roving and weave with that, it becomes your yarn. Spin gold into thread. Place nettles in the tapestry. Sweet grass not only looks exciting woven into a mat, it smells good too.

Yarn is made out of most things under the sun. And some yarns are even made in a lab. 

Look around for your yarn. Look around your pasture. Look on the street corner. Look when you are at the creek. Look when you take a walk. Look for a vendor. (my favorite way!)

If it can go through a shed, it just might be yarn. 

"X" is for David Xenakis

"X" is for David Xenakis

Back in the 80's there was this really great weaving magazine called "The Prairie Wool Companion." The editor was David Xenakis. A wonderful resource. He favored rigid heddle looms, but the magazine also showcased 4-8-12 and more shaft looms.

So if you wanted to weave, didn't have a lot of money or room for a large loom, you could still create great things. Then when that magazine left the scene, the magazine "Weaver's" came to be and he was the contributing editor for it. He even put out a monograph on rigid heddle weaving. Neither one of the magazines companies are still around, but if you can find them in your local guilds, through Complex Weavers, or even HGA you need to check them out.

They didn't just do one page of info and one page of photos, they explained and helped you understand what you were doing. They wanted you as a weaver to explore and maybe even learn something.

"W" is for Weaving Conferences

"W" is for Weaving Conferences

There are several conferences out there for weavers. Some are big affairs and others are small gatherings. Here are few I think you might consider going to. The learning and networking with others weavers cannot be understated. This is just a sample of 2016 and 2017 conferences. Check out a location near you!!

http://www.weavespindye.org/
Convergence 2016 in Milwaukee, WI, July 30-Aug 6. This is put on by Hand Weavers Guild of America.

http://www.midwestweavers.org/
Midwest Weavers is one of my favorites. It is small and personal and most times is close to me. June 12-17, 2017 in Indianapolis.



http://www.complex-weavers.org/
Complex Weavers is an online guild that holds conferences too! You can find them in St. Charles, IL June 17-19, 2016.









http://missourifiberartists.org/
This is by the Missouri Fiber Artists in St.Louis, Missouri April 13-14 for pre-workshop with Judy Dominic, Conference April 15-17, 2016.

"V" is for VAV

"V" is for VAV magazine

This Scandinavian weaving magazine is a great resource for weavers. They put out 4 issues a year. And they even put out books. It is always interesting to read about weavers who are 'across the pond.' But several American and Canadian weavers have great articles too. I love looking at the advertisements. So if you get a chance, pick up a copy and check them out!

In my personal library I have these two copies, 4/11 and 4/12. And also I have the book "HAPPY WEAVING from VAVMAGASINET"."  This book is just full of inspirations as are the magazines.

"U" is for Umbrella Swift

"U" is for Umbrella Swift

It is hard to take a skein of yarn and wind that on the warping  board, but this little beauty will help you get into a ball which is easier to work with. Works with most sizes of skeins. A great time saver!