Brighton Honeycomb

IMO Brighton Honeycomb is an overlooked structure. I like that it is waffle-y on one side (pink in my pic) and pattern on the other (blue).

My 8-shaft,  two shuttle effort was rewarded by cloth that shows predominately color 1 on one side and color 2 on other.

Everyone seems to appreciate the end result. My project was 8/2 cotton large towels for child.

I was inspired to try this structure by an article in Handwoven magazine.  The article was for a baby blanket project and I do think it would make a special blanket.

The Vultures are Circling for ezweb.com

In 1994, a couple of people had the vision, knowledge, luck and naivety to start an internet services company.  Sometimes you just do not realize that you are smack dab in the middle of an exploding innovation.

As part of setting up the company, we chose a name and picked a domain - ezweb.com  The company became a regional success and assets were sold in 1996.  But we have kept the domain name as a reminder of a critical concept in business success.  The Diffusion of Innovations (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_innovations)

In 1997, I had the pleasure of taking a class at UNM on the topic ... from Everett Rogers ... AFTER getting OUT of the internet business.  Needless to say, IT WAS EYE-OPENING.  While we were very smart, we were very naive.

Over the years, we have received hundreds of inquiries for the domain ezweb.com -- including one from a church.  As usually happens when the expiry approaches, the vultures begin to circle thinking we will make a google mistake.  We will not and the domain will be renewed.

Interestingly, even though the inquiries have tried to make the case for how critical this domain would be for one's business, not one inquiry has produced a serious offer.  It is about business after all.  In a recent conversation, the same couple of people who registered the domain all those years ago, decided it was worth upwards of 45K to us.

Seamless Poncho

 My cloth study group decided to do ponchos.  I never thought of myself as a poncho person, but found a fascinating article in "Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot" on weaving a SEAMLESS poncho.

Half expecting a doubleweave structure, I was impressed by the author's persistance to create a seamless poncho as an extension of the V-Shawl. I was familiar with a V-Shawl so cutting off warp and using that as weft was OK.  Closing the loop required reading the article multiple times and re-tensioning the V-Shawl onto the front apron using clamps ...

 

 Being a small person, I always need to make sizing mods.  Before the poncho was on the loom, staring at me, as I stared at it, I reduced the size of the shoulder sections.  Once I saw the poncho on the loom, and after the first shoulder was already woven, I saw my error ... the neck opening was going to be way too small.  I was able to fix my error by weaving the second shoulder at the suggested width.  (see photo at left) The result is an asymetric opening that works for me!


The poncho can be worn fringe to front/back or fringe on the sides.  And, even though I have not worn a poncho in many years, it has been the perfect layer a number of times this winter!

I used some leftover wools sett at 8 EPI. The wide sett helped make the joins less stressful since there was room for threads to move.  The poncho was wet finished using delicate cycle on my front-loader. 

Holiday Runner Finished

Weaving this 100 step pattern (plus tabby) on an 8-shaft table loom was time consuming.  I put on 5 yards and was able to do fit three runners.  This is a pic off the loom before wet finish.  Pic shows both sides.

Planning holiday table runners

As the stash reduction continues, I came upon some large cones of red cotton.  One is conshohocken softball cotton (which makes it pretty old) that is a 3/2 cotton strand wrapped with a fine cotton strand to create a uniform texture in the yarn.  The other cone is a darker red in mercerized 3/2.

The textured yarn has charm that is better shown by having longer floats.  I stumbled upon an interesting draft that I had saved on my computer without any notes that really explained who/what/where except the file name "networked-weaving-draft-3".  The draft below is my modification to exploit the motifs I found most appealing in the target width of approx 15inches.

The project will be woven on a LeClerc Dorothy 8 shaft table loom...that has been made more user friendly by adding some ergo touches.  I added some sugru handles to the beam takeup cranks, some bumpers to the front where beater strikes, and perhaps most important, finger pads on the hard plastic shaft pull.  Before adding these improvements in 2011, I was ready to retire this loom because the hard plastic pulls were too hard on the fingers for hours of weaving.  With the padding, it is possible to weave long periods. If you have one of these older looms, Sugru is a great product that is now widely available.

Double-width Doubleweave Blanket Finish

 Just in time for the coming colder weather, the wool double width blanket is off the loom.  There was only ONE fix needed where the layers "crossed".  Easy fix with the wool weft.

The wet finish was done in a front loader using the wool wash setting.  I did check the progress at 10 mins but let it finish the entire cycle.  The amount of fulling was perfect.

In the first snapshot, you can see the overall look of the blanket.  Note the center line which was the fold for the two layers.

You can see the center line more clearly at the left of the second photo.  Even though the sett was a little more open by skipping dent during sleying, the end result looks like a design element.

I showed off my blanket at the guild meeting recently and was pleased that my talented friends also thought it was a success.

DoubleWeave DoubleWidth

Looms take up space, and large looms take up a lot of space.  With the possibility of downsizing "looming", I may have to give up either my 8-shaft 36" Harrisville, or my 4-shaft 45" LeClerc.  Not having an 8-shaft floor loom seems limiting.  And not having my LeClerc workhorse (think BABY BLANKETS) seems even more limiting.

I like to use 40"-45" for baby blankets.  Easily done on the LeClerc.  I decided to try a double width doubleweave project to see if my skills are up for doing blankets in TWO layers.  I have only done doubleweave samplers following the excellent instructions published by Jennifer Moore in her "DoubleWeave Basics Book".

I had a bin of wools that needed to be used (part of the downsizing) and so I planned a project for a large wool throw blanket.  I decided to use the LeClerc loom because the Harrisville had another project going.

I put on a width of ~33" as two layers. Since the LeClerc only has 4-shaft that meant each layer could only be plain weave.  The opening would be on the right and the 'crease' or midline, would be on the left.  I also sleyed the sett more loosely right at the midline, and added a nylon floating selvedge.

The challenge of doublewidth is to only join the layers at the midline.  In this case it was the left edge.  During the first 12" or so I checked my layers every few minutes by lifting the shafts for the top layer and peeking in the side.  After 12 inches I felt more confidence and just wove carefully (and more slowly).  I did find myself catching threads, but less frequently than I worried.

Sure, but the real test is when it is off the loom.  I was SO VERY HAPPY when I found only one small error where the layers were joined!  The fix was pretty quick and easy since it is loosely sett plain weave.

I need to finish the twisted fringe and wash to see how the midline will look.  I will post some additional pics with the completed blanket.

It's Hard to Keep up with a Blog with all these Baby Blankets

I like M&O pattern for baby blankets.  The floats have never been a problem and the pattern adds great color and texture.  This blanket was done in all cottons.  The binding is a cute and colorful Owl print.

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.

Tool to save LOTS of time

Being a weaver, I am not up on all the great tools available to the sewing/quilting crowd.  A few months back, while cleaning out some things from the house of an elderly Aunt, I came across a little box marked 'tape maker'.  Inside were three metal flattened cones of differing sizes.  I had not a clue what they were.

Luckily, a sister-in-law who quilts was there and told me they were used to make bias tape.  WOW!  It was like striking gold.  I make bias tape to use as blanket binding or seam binding.  I have googled making bias tape so many times and have never heard mention of any tape maker.  So I wondered if it was too good to be true.

When I started to make the bias tapes for the rosepath blankets, I dragged out the little box to give the tape maker a trial run.  Stuffed on the bottom of the box was one sheet of directions (dated in the 1980's) that made it all look VERY EASY.  And, so it is!!!

I cannot tell you how many hours I have already saved being able to iron the tape in ONE PASS.  Basically you thread your bias strip through the metal tip and iron the tape as it comes out.  Done!

This is one crazy, useful tool!

The blanket shown is the third of the Rosepath threading.  I did widely spaced stripes using pink, teal and multi-colored  cotton.  The binding is some flower-power Owls in the same colors.

MORE Baby Blankets

It has been a few months since my last post.  I have been busy doing three more baby blankets.  All were done on a Rosepath threading with various treadlings.  For two I used some lovely peach cotton I picked up at a 'stash reduction' sale.  The cotton was in skeins and was close to a 5/2 mercerized cotton in weight.  The warp was an 8/2 cotton in natural.  Owls are big this year.  The binding on the one pictured below featured owls and birds.

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!

Dornik Twill Yardage

I may have mentioned that I belong to a weaving study group.  We call ourselves the 'Cloth Study Group' which really means yardage.  We are just over one year of meetings and the group has been a wonderful way to share and learn.  Most of the yardage woven over the year has been used in garment construction.

I like a tailored jacket so I decided to weave some yardage to make a jacket.  I used two hanks of space-dyed bamboo in blues/greens as the warp along with two vintage novelty wools for weft.  The wools are special in that they were found when clearing out the home of an elderly Aunt who contributed to my weaving addiction.  The wools contained small amounts of other fibers that resulted in some stretch.  Since the wools were in skeins I assume they were knit/crochet wools.  For this reason, I was sure to use a temple.

I wanted to use a 1/3 twill to place emphasis on the wool weft.  I always like the 'uneveness' of a broken twill.  On my counterbalance loom, it was better to do the tie-up such that I was looking at the back of the yardage during weaving process (right side in photo).  This was probably best since it was more interesting to look at the summer-y stripes than the alternating wefts.

I am quite happy with the yardage off the loom.  It remains to be seen how it comes out of the wet finish.  I am hoping for limited shrinkage.  The bamboo and wool together are medium weight and I think it will be nice for spring/fall.

Shepherd's Check

 Shepherd's check is a traditional pattern that works well for chenille since it is a balanced weave with a float length of one.  It also seemed like an easy/quick break from brain storming an upcoming yardage project.  I put on a warp of royal blue alternating with grassy green and gold.

Once I started weaving the check, it seemed a little too traditional so I decided to use the check (with a couple of variations) only at the ends of the scarves.  The center of each scarf was woven in plain weave which produces a stripe.  The interesting attribute of the stripe is that the edge is wavy and it looks like a rib in the fabric.


The finished scarves look more interesting when worn due to the look of texture in the stripe.  I may go back to this pattern and do some more scarves in school colors.

This amazing picture is of the installed Ground Cover Public Art Project in Phoenix, Arizona.  The flower picture was created from 300 blankets made in various fiber forms.  The blankets will be donated to homeless people after installation.

Fabulous.

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!

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.

Study Group Yardage

I have been in a recently formed study group for a few months.  Our focus is yardage for use in garments, although making the garment is optional.  To make our first project easier, we chose to use twill structure ... not much of a restriction there.  I knew I wanted to do a jacket or a vest.  Since I prefer more fitted styles, I chose a broken twill that would not require too much extra effort to match a pattern.

I also found a threading/treadling that produced different front and back pattern.  I have my yardage complete and as you can see from the photo, I will be able to use the front (on right) for the body, and the reverse (on left) for the shawl collar.

I hope to have the garment complete in the next few weeks since the weight will be great for spring/fall.  Will post pics.

The warp is rayon chenille, sett at 18epi.  The weft is rayon chenille.

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.