January 31, 2008

looming

so I've been mostly playing with my loom lately. Once you get the thing warped the weaving part goes really fast. And I'm getting better at the warping... not great but better :)

I finished up a scarf in beaverslide wool:
weave_beaverslide_done
unlike with knitting you can't see the whole project while makin git. The scarf rolls up onto the beam and you see it all when you are done. SO at about the half way point I changed my stripe size... by accident. It started as 4 rows dark red 8 rows dusty red. That turned into 4 rows dark red and 6 rows dusty red. Oops. I'm a new enough weaver that I will just chock that one up to practice and not worry about it.

And another scarf (less mistakes) using a natural alpaca for the warp and some handspun navajo plied yarn for the weaving part:
weave_sunshine_done
This one I am happy with :)

and I've started a new one:
alpaca_weave_gloss
using knitpicks gloss for the warp and knitpicks decadence (alpaca) for the weft. So far so good. I like the subtle brown on brown part. Makes me want to make another one in all brown.

also been plodding along on candy stripes form the IK holiday issue:
candy_stripes_ip2

and a hat for my husband:
marsan_dan_ip
using Filatura Di Crosa Zara. Should be nice to wear if I ever finish it :)

January 23, 2008

high school...

You paid attention during 86% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

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Weaving...

My husband got me a Kromski Harp rigid heddle loom for my birthday:
loom

The weaving part is super easy (at least a basic plain weave is) but wraping/worping (not sure the propper term) is hard! My tension is all over the place (the warp is the long string that goes the length of the project).

but I made a small scarf with some handspun & sock yarn:
weave_deepwoods_handspun2

It's a little short but otherwise I am happy with it.

Now I'm working on a longer scarf with a cotton warp (from artfibers) and beaverslide fishermasn wool. The cotton warp is even more wonky in tension than the sock yarn was. But it's still going ok:
weave_beaverslide

and a bit of spinning (my first traditional 3 ply - 1 strand "hot rod" bfl and 2 strands natural bfl):
hotrod_bfl_fiber

hotrod_bfl_plying

hotrod_bfl_3ply

it makes me think of fruit stripe gum :)

January 18, 2008

post christmas selfish knitting

So I've been working on a few non gift items just-because-I-feel-like-making-them projects.

entrelac_silk_ip

it's just a basic entrelac pattern using Tilli Thomas Pure and Simple silk. So decadent to work with.

candy_stripes_ip

this is candy stripes form IK holiday issue. I'm using some long stashed rowan kid classic (it's for me).

and a little spinning and navajo plying:
industry_merino_navajo_plied
industry_merino_single
industry_merino_fiber

and most exciting.... I got a loom for my birthday. It came yesterday and I have no idea what I'm doing but plan to spend some time with it this weekend :)