Orchard #2 in Boundweave

I recently finished the second orchard done in the boundweave structure.  I learned many things from my first piece (see post from 12.2013).  One of the most valuable lessons concerned my wool choices.  For this piece, 95% of the yarn is Collingwood rug yarn.  It is the perfect size.  However, the colors available are muted.  So brights, like the apple red, yellow and green, are from knitting yarns.



Also note the pig which required a break in the pattern repeat.  Wasn't sure it would work, but it really does call attention to the smudge of pink.

The structure is 6 shaft boundweave.  Warp is linen sett at 8epi.  Weft is wool.  Finished size is approx. 26"L x 15"W.

It is highly probable there will be one more Orchard in this series.  Meanwhile, I am looking into a modified brocade technique as the next experiment.

Orchard Boundweave

The boundweave has been gifted and the recipient totally loved it!  Whew!  It was a little crazy to take on something new for a gift, however, I learned so much during the process that I already have plans for a #2 in the series.

The piece (from top to bottom) has a blue sky over some small mountains.  Next is the apple orchards with apples falling into the press and the juice flowing from the press into bottles.  I used some beads (hand applied) to create some effervescence above the glasses.

Nothing more rewarding than a gift well received!

Pictorial Boundweave

Family health issues have keep me away from posting.  But I have tried to keep a project on the loom so that I can decompress with my favorite pastime.

Boundweave is known as very slow weaving.  Multiple weft shots pack down to create one finished row.  The weaving gets even slower with pictorials made using a point twill threading on 8 shafts.  Each shaft is raised in order (either forward or reverse) and a weft shot deposits one "pixel" of color over the warp for that shaft.  After 8 picks, one row is formed.  Repeat.

I choose boundweave for this project because I was not ready to tackle the basics of tapestry weaving, and I am a fan of folk art.  The boundweave creates folk art like pictures that can be used to construct a theme or story.  When the piece is complete, it will be easier to see the story so I will explain it at that time.

This is my first attempt at pictorial boundweave.  I have long admired the figures and motifs that other weavers have created for cards and wall hangings.  There has been a steep learning curve on the right yarns to use.  Also so much fun to watch the pictures emerge.

It is the right time to have a slow project on the loom!

Boundweave rug

I finally finished my boundweave "sampler".  And even though it is slow weaving, I love the result.

This is the rug that was in progress when the harness cord broke.  I did three rugs as a sampler to try boundweave.  I used carpet warp for the warp and three strands of cotton chenille for the weft.  While I know cotton chenille will shrink in the 15-20% range, I forgot to consider the longer floats would contribute to shrinkage.  After washing, there was a definate 20% shrinkage in width.

The cotton chenille creates a fluffy, thick rug which I like.  If I use cotton chenille again for boundweave, I will choose a pattern that minimizes floats, use a closer sett (this was 10epi) or add in some plainweave to reduce shrinkage.

Cotton Chenille Boundweave Rug

cotton chenille boundweave

I started weaving more when I got hooked on rugs.  First it was rag rugs. Then I took a class with the wonderful and talented Jason Collingwood.  His class took me from cotton warp and rags into linen warp and wool.  In addition, I learned precious technique tips.

Recently, I decided I needed to try Boundweave rugs.  I had been reading Clotilde Barrett's "Boundweave" and it seemed natural to try the sampler in the book by making some rugs.  I am using a cotton rug warp with 3 strands of cotton chenille as weft.  Since I expect at least 10% shrinkage from the weft I chose a 36 inch width.

I have finished one rug.  I am trying a variety of color sequences as per the sampler from the Barrett book.  Doing on-the-fly 'design' is quite stressless!  Even though boundweave is slow, it is satisfying to watch the patterns emerge.