Simplified Damask for Guild Outreach

Doing guild outreach events is a fun time meeting people and teaching them what this weaving thing is all about.  I like to use my 4-shaft table loom threaded with something that looks more complicated than it is.  I picked "Simplified Damask" from the Davidson green book.  I made some minor threading mods to reduce float length.  The colors really make the design take on a dimensional look as if the light blue areas are ribbon applied to the surface.  People really liked the result.

I try to use readily available and inexpensive yarns  in demo pieces so that interested people can easily replicate.

Warp is 8/4 carpet warp in navy, light blue and gold.  Weft is cotton crochet thread that I pickup at a local recycle center for very low cost. And crochet thread is nice to use for table runners.

Sherbert Small Blankets

Isn't this a cheerful, happy warp!

This is primarily varigated cotton from WEBS combined with solid 10/2 cotton leftovers in solids from the colorway.

Structure is goose eye twill. Width on loom is approx 42". Sett is 24epi.

Wefts are UKI 5/2 cotton in bright orange and medium pink. The color pooling is really interesting and fun!

Pseudo Random

An article from the 1980s inspired me to introduce more randomness to the pattern of this summer&winter piece. This block design was done on the loom choosing whichever block stuck me at the moment.  The dots and dashes were alternated to create a notion of the dashes falling apart, or the dots piling up.

I used a Drop Spindle space dyed bamboo warp and 8/2 cotton pattern weft with 10/2 merc cotton tabby weft. What started out as two scarves will end up as a long vest when the rectangle panels are joined.

Chenille Crimp in Red

My adventures with loom woven crimp cloth designs (woven shibori) continues with another experiment using a rayon chenille warp with widely spaced, thin stripes of a varigated chenille.  The main cloth is plain weave, the pattern threads are woven in point twill. The weft is orlon.

Visually, I like the way the thin stipes poke in and out of the crimp pattern.  The weight and drape are comfortable for a scarf.  The width could be a bit wider.  This could be done by either making the warp wider, doing a partial crimp, or by doing a looser crimp.

More experiements on the horizon.

The Joy of Blankets

There is a great joy in making a gift for a new baby.  I love weaving little blankets and try to make each one unique.  I do not always get feedback beyond the initial thank you. But in the past month I have had two Moms tell me the blankets are favorites of the child.  How great is that!

Doubleweave Wool Blanket

My DH has been hinting that HE might like to have a nice couch blanket to get through the winter.  For his birthday his wish was granted.  I decided to make it 60" wide and that meant doublewidth since my widest loom is 45".  I kept it simple with a plain weave structure. This is my second attempt at doublewidth.

I used a mix of wool yarns from my stash, including some NZ wool and mystery skeins. A small amount (brown in the pic) was really more of a knitting yarn meaning it had a bit of a stretch.  This meant a little more caution to not over tension.

DH was very happy with the gift and enjoys it when there is sub-zero temps in the air.

Infinity Scarves

A long time without posts does not mean I have not been weaving!  Most recent project was an experiement with some varigated chenille I bought last year.  The colorways were mostly dark with green and orange tones.  (The sample colorway is listed on the cone as: hemp/cognac/forest green/dark brown) The project goal was to determine if using the varigated chenille alone in the warp could result in an appealing scarf.

I settled on a broken twill structure.  Warp was 6 yds sett at 18epi for a target of 3 scarves approx 65" each with a little extra for sampling other colors and fibers.

First up was the coral chenille weft.  It is so bright that I thought it would brighten up the dark warp, while the warp toned down the coral.  The result was my personal favorite.

Next, my color wheel helped me pick out a triad that pointed to purple as a good choice.  Seriously not one I would have picked on my own, but the color wheel did not fail me and the purple chenille is very nice.

Last choice was a very safe one in a neutral beige rayon slub.  Since the slub was so fine, I alternated sections of it singled and doubled to add some visual interest.

The picture shows the colors and overall resultant look.  Definately stripe-y.

Next experiment will probably intersperse more solid color with the varigated.  Maybe just enough varigated to give streaks of color.

Dornik twill yardage - feedback from the study group

Overwhelmingly, to my surprise, the study group felt it was important to showcase the space dyed bamboo side of the fabric.  I thought it was a little too stripe-y for my style, but the feedback was that it does not present as stripes since the warp was well mixed.  At the very least, it was suggested that some of the space dyed be displayed by either a fold over collar, or in a garment that allows view of inside.  I took that advice and used a pattern with a  fold over collar.  Thanks to the group for their feedback!

Turquoise and Red for Summer POP!

 

My eye latched on to some fabric in turquoise with red stripes.  The colors seemed to capture the summer sky and sizzle of hot temps.  I thought it would make a very sweet mini wrap.

After much research, mostly on ways to maximize the warp stripe, I decided on a warp faced plain weave done in bamboo.  I added a few silver threads for sparkle.

The project was very quick to weave and finish in with a mobius twist.

The colors as shown in the warp photo are closer to the actual colors. (I am still working on my photo retouch skills). Cute and just right to warm the shoulders.

Weaving with Wire

A couple of years ago I took a wonderful workshop on weaving with wire given by artist Susan McGhee. Susan gave a very informative hands-on workshop with sufficient information to get everyone comfortable with using 22-26 gauge wire as both warp and weft.  Putting on a wire warp was much easier than I imagined.  We worked with either 4-shaft or 8-shaft looms with mostly straight draw threading.  Treadlings were twills. And Susan explained how to use the woven pieces to construct containers, make jewelry or use as wall decor. Great jumpstart in the topic!