Rigid heddle weavers don't need no stinkin' harness looms

I have been debating whether to get a harness loom. One reason is, I'd like to weave projects wider than the 24" that my largest rigid heddle loom allows. Also, I'd like to be able to do some fancier weaving, like twill. Then there is all that rug yarn and old sheets and tee-shirts that I have accumulated, with the intent of weaving rugs.

BUT. Instead of another loom, what I decided to get are some accoutrements for my rigid heddle. One item is the Freedom Roller, which will allow me to maintain a shed while weaving thicker items like rugs. Also, a second heddle kit (and more heddles) will allow me to double weave (double the width of the weaving). Being able to use a second heddle will also convert the rigid heddle loom, which is basically a two-harness loom, to a four-harness one (with a little trickery). These items are on their way, so we'll see just how well my expectations are met.

Knitting: I have barely started the cuffs on the socks, so of course I started a new knitting project, another L-Bag, in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, left over from a knitted vest and a woven lap robe.

Spinning: Still working on the Polish merino; lovely to spin.
Weaving: The scarf came off the loom and is finished, twisted fringe and all; separate post to follow.

Do you follow anyone on IG? One artist I have added to my short list is Kaci Smith. Among other things, she makes branch weavings, which is just what it sounds like: weaving across the fork of a branch. Very intriguing!

Doing my bit

I have been a member of both the weaving guild and the spinning guild long enough now that I am targeted to serve as an officer on one or the other each year. So far, I have fended them off with repeat joint replacement surgeries. Now I find myself doing behind-the-scenes stuff for each, like organizing workshops, that I have a response prepared for when I am asked again: Aren't I doing enough already?!? I hope it works.

Knitting: Still working on the socks; I'm almost up to the cuff. I like knitting socks, but am so glad when I finish a pair.
Spinning: I still haven't plied the silk/merino/tencel blend singles, as I may want to chain ply them; the problem is I don't really know how to chain ply. So I started spinning some of that Polish merino I purchased, and have blended some of the colors together - using my drum carder clamped to the drafting table - so handy!

Weaving: I finished joining the two blanket panels; if I were to do it again, I'd use larger needles, as the knitting pulls the weaving in a bit. The scarf on the rigid heddle loom is progressing; today I wove for an hour straight.

In the past few weeks I have felt like my energy is finally back to 100% post-surgery. It takes me about three months to fully recover. Now I am finding there aren't enough hours in the day, to do everything I want to. The older one gets, the more grateful one becomes for each healthy day.

What did we do before the Internet? And YouTube? And fiber friends?

One of the things I *hate* about weaving is warping. My back aches from bending over the loom, I have trouble getting an even tension across the warp, and invariably the yarn leaps off the warping peg just when I am almost done. Then there is the winding onto the back beam, the threading through the holes of the heddle, and the tying onto the front beam. And if one doesn't do a decent job warping, the weaving does not go well.

Enter two weavers and their wonderful methods for tackling warping. A fiber friend turned me onto Amy D. McKnight and her videos about hybrid warping. Instead of a warping peg, she uses a warping board, to direct warp her rigid heddles looms. Little Looms highlighted a video by Sara Goldenberg that describes a fool-proof method for tying on. Between the two of them, warping a scarf on my 24-inch Ashford was a relative breeze.

But first. The drafting table that my SO helped set up in the studio came in handy for weaving prep. I was able to attach the swift and ball winder on one side of the table and clamp down the loom and warping board on the other side. Very handy. The table is higher than any of my other tables, which made warping a bit easier on my back.

For my first project after surgery I chose a simple, plain weave scarf, which uses a 2.5' warp length. A length of nylon cord helped me determine the path the warp should take through the warping board.

Then one just follows the path while warping. Easy peasy! Amy includes in her 3-part hybrid warping videos her method for winding onto the back beam without needing another pair of hands. An added bonus is her method provides an even tension across the warp.

In Sara's video, she explains how she uses rubber bands to hold the rigid heddle and front beam steady while tying on. And she has a special method for tying on that allows one to maintain that even tension from winding on.

So, I'm weaving again! This is a rather narrow project (could have used the SampleIt, but it still has a project on it), so I am curious as to how well these techniques will "scale up" for something like cotton towels. Instead of dreading it, I am looking forward to trying it out.

Knitting: Still inching up the legs of the socks. I knit a bit everyday, usually in the morning while digesting breakfast.
Spinning: I finished spinning one of the silk/merino/tencel braids, will ply it today (probably). There is another braid, but I am going to wait until I knit up the first batch, to see if I want to try something different.
Weaving: See above. Plus I (finally) managed to knit the two blanket panels together; now I just need to add a knitted border to two sides.

This weekend was the Jay County Fiber Arts Festival, but I chose not to go this year. I looked up classes at other upcoming fiber festivals and just can't get excited about any of them. And we all know I don't need any more fiber. But I reserve the right to change my mind.

Spin-in inspiration

Yesterday some fiber friends and I attended the monthly spin-in at Little Shop of Spinning. Last month, I purchased some fiber, which I started spinning yesterday. I think it will become cowls as it is so-o-o soft. And pretty.

The yarn is in shades of gray, not blue

Last month I saw some Polish merino I wanted to purchase, but decided to wait, and if the fiber was still there the next time I visited the shop, I would purchase some. Well, it was still there, so I bought an ounce of each of four colors that look like they will go together well.

Names are, from upper left and clockwise, warm beige, pumpkin spice, bronze, and coral

A handknit hat at the shop drew much admiration from us, so Phia dug out the pattern. It's from a book called Hip Knit Hats, by Cathy Carron, and there happened to be a copy at my local library branch, so I picked it up on the way home.

I don't usually read pattern books, but these patterns were so unique, I had to see what the author had to say. I'm glad I did because I ran across this unofficial chart of how to combine yarns to make other sizes of yarn:

This chart will be useful when putting together yarns for anything, but especially for the patterns in this book. The two I like the best are:


Since my usual fiber project recipients have said, No more dishcloths or blankets!, they may have the opportunity to pick out some hats in the future.

Knitting: I"m practicing project monogamy and sticking with the socks as I march up the leg, although I have a list of what to knit next.
Spinning: The mystery fiber is off the wheel; I just need to label it and decide what it will become. As noted above, I have started spinning the silk/merino blend with tencel.
Weaving: I have been trying to knit together the two panels of the random blanket, but I keep screwing up. Third (or fourth) time is the charm, though, right?

One of my fiber friends mentioned Modern Daily Knitting. Only today did I realize she meant what was previously known as Mason Dixon Knitting. I used to follow them and may have to start again. So many patterns, so little time!