Neapolitan mug rugs

There isn't much to say about this project, as I didn't take notes (bad). I warped it during a study group meeting, using some naturally brown yarn purchased from The Big Red Barn; it's from Sanctuary Farm and is either 100% alpaca or 80% alpaca and 20% merino. I then wove some handspun superwash merino known as Lone Star Arts superwash merino, colorway 'Neapolitan'.

I've always been a little unhappy with how that yarn plied and assumed the problem was me. But recently I realized that the problem is it is superwash, so it doesn't want to cling to itself. Lesson learned.

I don't consider these to be my best work. See how the hemstitch pulls in one corner on one end? That is another lesson for me.

Red and black houndstooth scarf

Houndstooth is so easy to weave but produces such an interesting result that it has become my go-to technique when I need something quick, like for a weaving demonstration. And that is how this scarf began, to demo at the Jay County Fiber Arts and Artisans Fest.

Pattern: Houndstooth scarf
Weave structure: plain weave
Loom: Ashford SampleIt
Warp: Cascade 220 Superwash worsted in red and in black
Weft: Cascade 220 Superwash worsted in red and in black
EPI/PPI: 7.5/7.5
Ends: 43 (I think)

Weaving with superwash yarn has some challenges, especially regarding tension. Superwash yarn is rather stretchy and springy, but if you keep tightening the warp, the houndstooth pattern will become flattened out. I make it a practice to apply just enough tension on the warp to allow the shuttle to slide through easily. When I take a break from weaving, I loosen the warp a bit so there is not constant tension on it.

Since I am starting a study group for rigid heddle weaving, I (roughly) timed how long this 5" wide, 6' long scarf took: about an hour to warp (and that included looking for this and that - I didn't hurry); 3-4 hours to weave (including some interruptions); about a half hour to finish. If you are looking for a weekend project, this is one option.

Checkered scarf

Sometimes a mistake turns into a happy accident. That is what happened with this scarf. I meant to warp for houndstooth, debated over whether to redo or go with it, chose the latter.

Pattern: none
Weave structure: checks
Loom: Ashford SampleIt
Warp: Patons North America Classic Wool Worsted, in navy and natural
Weft: Same as warp
EPI/PPI: 7.5/7.5
Ends: 44
Finished size: 56"L (without fringe), 5"W
Finishing: hemstitched ends

I wasn't sure about the "candy-striping" along the selvage where I carried the colors, as during the weaving it looked loose. But after wet finishing, I decided I liked it.

I also wasn't sure about the yarn, as it is rather "bouncy". But I was careful to not over tighten the warp and it turned out well. Not as much drape as I had hoped for, though.

On xmas, I usually bring some handmade objects for the family to pick over. Sometimes they find something they like, sometimes not, but they get first choice. I think this scarf may pass the test.

Red, White, and Navy Scarf

The last time I warped the SampleIt for a demonstration scarf, then finished the scarf at home, I had no plan. This time I had a plan. Like most plans, this one did not turn out quite right. When I used the dining room table for the warp surface, I forgot that I had removed the table leaf. Consequently, the scarf turned out shorter than expected.

Pattern: None
Weave structure: Plain weave
Loom: Ashford SampleIt
Warp: Patons North America Classic Wool Worsted in 230 'Bright Red', Valley Yarns Northhampton Worsted in 02 'Natural', and some worsted wool in navy
Weft: Same as warp
EPI/PPI: 7.5/7.5 (more or less)
Ends: 50
Finished size: 40" (plus fringe) x 5.25"
Finishing: The selvages turned out halfway decent, so no additional finishing required

Warp:

• 4 red
• 2 navy
• 4 red
• 4 white
• 2 navy
• 4 white
• repeat above sequence
• 4 red
• 2 navy
• 4 red

Weft:

• 4 picks red 
• Hemstitch 2 across up 3 
• ** 2 picks navy
• 4 picks red 
• 4 picks white 
• 2 picks navy
• 4 picks white 
• 4 picks red 
• Repeat from ** until out of warp, ending with red/navy/red
• Hemstitch 2 across down 3
• Trim fringe to 2"

I recall the scarf my dad used, and it must have been about this length. He didn't wrap his scarf around his neck like most of us do these days, but crossed it and laid it flat against his chest. It kept the cold from slipping down his neck without adding bulk. Alternatively, one could do something similar and add a decorative pin to hold it in place. Or the scarf could be for a child. Not a waste of yarn at all.

Skinny scarf from leftovers

I warped my SampleIt to take to the county fair so interested parties could try their hand at weaving. Once home, I just keep going, using up bits and bobs of naturally dyed yarn. (For the record: dyer's coreopsis, sunflower, sycamore bark, tomato vine, rhubarb leaf, dahlia, turmeric, Queen Anne's lace, onion skins.) Here is the result:

Pattern: None
Weave structure: Plain weave
Loom: Ashford SampleIt
Warp: Cascade 220
Weft: Cascade 220
EPI/PPI: 7.5/7.5 (more or less)
Ends: 32
Finished size: 3.5"x59" (plus fringe)
Finishing: Untwisted tassels on the ends, single crocheted sock yarn (Happy Days Fiber Arts Sock Weight in 'End of Harvest') along the selvages

If I had had a plan, I would have interspersed the darker wefts with the lighter ones, but - oh, well - too late now. The crochet along the selvages is a bit wonky as well, but it adds character.

I wondered what I could wear this scarf with when it occurred to me that it would go well with the Lempi sweater I knit from naturally dyed yarn. One can't wear too many handknits at one time.

Leno and Brooks Bouquet sampler

I wanted to weave some curtains, but couldn't decide whether to make them using leno or Brooks bouquet. To help me make up my mind, I created a sampler of both, using the Ashford SampleIt loom with a 10-dent heddle, out of 3/2 mercerized cotton. For some reason, I photographed the sections in the reverse order than I wove them in, but I'm sure you will get the idea.

Doup leno without doups

Doup leno

Leno - Jane (Patrick) variation

Cheater bouquets without ties

Cheater bouquets

Ladder hemstitch - 2 warps

Ladder hemstitch - 4 warps

Brooks bouquet staggered over Brooks bouquet

Leno 2x2 continuous over Leno 2x2

Leno 1x1 continuous over Leno 1x1

Put it all together

In the end, I used the doup leno without the doups for my bathroom curtains. Doups are basically string heddles, and in this instance, I found them more trouble than they were worth. I also forgot to enter this project into Ravelry (now rectified) and didn't take very good notes, but was able to figure out what was what based on a fiber "log" I keep. I'm still thinking of using Brooks bouquet for some kitchen curtains, and my SO likes the ladder stitch patterns, so this sampler will come in handy for several projects.

(References: Inventive Weaving on a Little Loom, by Syne Mitchell, and The Weaver's Idea Book, by Jane Patrick.)

Fest away

It's been two years since I last attended the Jay County Fiber Arts Fest in Portland IN. While the pandemic may not be 100% over, some activities are approaching "normal". So I headed south on US27 for a workshop and some shopping. I'll post separately on both.

Dyeing: Attended a workshop on a one-pot method for rainbow dyeing raw wool and roving. At home, I copied the technique on some yarn.
Knitting: Yes, still working on the Habitation throw. Too bad I am not a faster knitter.
Weaving: I fixed the big booboo on the leno curtains; if you think weaving leno is slow, try unweaving it. I'm still sampling on the SampleIt, this time Spanish lace with a thicker yarn and some clasped weft. I also started a sample on my Saffron pocket loom.

The trip to Portland and back exhausted me. I don't have the kind of energy I had even five years ago. It didn't help that once again I caught a little cold earlier in the week. I think this is cold number 4 for the season. Fortunately, they don't last long. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Eat the frog first

“If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.” Mark Twain

This morning's toad was to file my taxes. (Note: I said file, not pay. The latter will occur later.) I still haven't picked up a tapestry loom despite my stated desire to do so; maybe that can be my reward for eating today's frog.

Knitting: More work on the Habitation throw. *yawn*
Weaving: I completed the initial plain weave on the leno curtains, and about eight repeats of the leno pattern. However, there are some huge mistakes in the last four repeats, so I will have to unweave some before continuing. Ugh. On the SampleIt loom, I tried some Spanish lace in an alternate color. I like the scribbly look.

Both the spinning guild and the weaving guild that I belong to participate in the Salomon Farm Fiber Fest, so the meetings for both are about preparing for that. I never commit to being there because it seems like things crop up at the last minute that prevent me from helping. But I am willing to contribute samples for the visitors' viewing pleasure. I just need to pick those out.

Itchy fingers

Lately I have been itching to get back to tapestry weaving. I don't have any specific projects in mind, but would like to pack some weft, probably on the Saffron pocket loom for starters. But maybe I should finish my other weaving projects first?

Knitting: Still working on the Habitation throw; not even half done yet. I can't wait to get to the decreases, as then it will zoom along. Or at least, feel like it.
Weaving: I have the second curtain panel warped and tied up on the loom, ready to be woven. On the SampleIt, I have continued sampling, in a spaced leno that didn't turn out like the photo in the book, and Spanish lace. I think the Danish medallions and Spanish lace would look better with wool yarn and a more appropriate sett.

Spaced leno and Spanish lace

Spanish lace, detail

Today I'm wearing these socks and this sweater; winter just doesn't want to go away. (If you follow the sweater link, you will find yourself on one of my old blogs, where I was experimenting with combining fiber and gardening and everything else in my life, but I discovered I did not have the personality for that.)

I couldn't help myself

I told myself to finish the infinity scarf *before* starting another Habitation throw, but did I listen? No. I thought just arranging the bits and bobs of leftover sock yarn would satisfy me, but did it? No. I just had to start a new one. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the fun slows down once there are 100+ stitches on the needles.

Knitting: For this iteration of the Habitation throw, I plan to make it rectangular instead of square. And I *did* finish knitting the infinity scarf; I just need to bind off.

Weaving: The sample on the SampleIt loom continues to grow. There are several flavors of leno, a little Brooks bouquet, and a few other open weaving experiments. I plan to finish up with doup leno - using cotton heddles to speed up the finger weaving process.

I went to the eye doctor the other day for my annual exam. Of course, I need new glasses *again* but they are able to reuse the same frames. It looks like big lenses are coming back in fashion; I should have saved my frames from the 1980's.

Once again, I am fighting a cold, my third one this season. One (of many) great thing about retirement is if you feel under the weather, you can just rest and recuperate. And knit.

Fresh blood

Last week's spinning guild meeting was MC'd by one of the new (younger!) co-presidents. She has a background in theater and it showed in how she handled the mic and "interviewed" each of us as we told two truths and a lie, to see how well we know each other. MUCH different than the usual somewhat stodgy energy level. And we already have some new members, which is wonderful since we seem to have lost a few over the past two years. The next meeting is going to feature endangered sheep breeds and we'll have guest speakers and roving to play with. Fun stuff!

Knitting: I finished the Habitation throw - huzzah! Still plugging away on the infinity scarf.

Pre-blocking

Weaving: Since my samples from last week didn't turn out very well, I decided to make some "real" ones on the SampleIt loom. I warped and so far have practiced some Leno stitch.

This photo is actually upside down

One of my spinning pals has taken up weaving and cranked out three scarves in about a month. It has served as a bit of a kick in the pants for me, as I *think* about weaving but don't seem to produce much. To help with my motivation, I purchased a planner where I jot down what artsy fartsy thing I accomplish each day. It may be just a bit of knitting or some weaving or even some pottery. I hate seeing a blank space, so I am determined to do *something* each day.

Back in the swing of things (mostly)

The surgeon cleared me for knitting and weaving - huzzah! In fact, after I demonstrated the movements involved in weaving, he considered them good therapy for my shoulder. Otherwise, I've been doing everyday things like cooking and cleaning and repotting houseplants. Physical therapy starts on Monday.

Knitting: I'm back at the Habitation throw. I find that two rows is about all I can do at one time. Those knitting muscles need to be rebuilt.
Weaving: I warped the Ashford SampleIt loom for more waffle weave washcloths.

This afternoon, about a dozen of us from the local spinning guild spent several hours at the Wabash Woollen Works; separate post to follow. I had visited them once before, with the weaving guild. The trip seemed wasted on the weavers, as many of them don't work with wool. I thought it would be a great idea for the spinning guild, though, and I was right.

I am now officially off my fiber diet.

Waffle weave dishcloths

The impetus for this project came from a program at my local weaving guild. They are getting better about including something more than weaving cloth on a harness loom for sewing, so part of the presentation involved waffle weave on a rigid heddle. I warped my Sampleit loom prior to the program, not realizing just how much shrinkage would occur. If I were to repeat this project, I would start with a wider warp.

Weave structure: Waffle weave
Loom: Ashford Sampleit
Yarn: Elmore-Pisgah Peaches & Cream in 'Daisy Ombre' (although my SO calls it 'Buttered Popcorn')
EPI/PPI: 7.5/7.5
Size prior to hemming: 8"W x 10"L
Size after hemming, prior to washing: 8"W x 8"L
Size after hemming and washing: 6.75"W x 7"L

I began and ended each dishcloth with an overcast stitch (as described in Finishing Touches for the Handweaver, by Virginia M. West) to secure the warp and weft. I wove seven rows in plain weave at each end of each dishcloth, to fold over for the hem. (The odd number is because the pattern provided by my fellow weaver starts with the heddle in the down position; it is a personal quirk that I always begin weaving with the heddle in the up position, throwing from the right.)

Not trusting the overcast stitch to be secure enough, I also sewed a zigzag stitch at each end with my trusty Kenmore sewing machine. Then I rolled the hem and zigzagged again. As you can see, there was some pull-in; I don't have a temple for this narrow of a width.

Since these are workhorse dishcloths, I ran them through the washer and dryer just as I would for any cotton dishcloth. The expected shrinkage occurred, but the hemmed edges shrank less than the rest of the fabric. Perhaps I should have refrained hemming until after the shrinkage.

I gave one of these to my SO with the instructions to use it as he would any dishcloth, even though it is woven and not knit like the others I have given him. The others will go to my son and daughter, with the same instructions. I want to see how they hold up.

The instructions came from a YouTube video, but I don't have the link. A quick search reveals there are several videos out there to choose from. The Weaver's Idea Book, by Jane Patrick, contains several "mock waffle weave" patterns. Regardless, all involves the use of a pickup stick. I was able to weave each dishcloth in a single sitting, despite my shoulders.

I thought I had enough warp for four washcloths, but the last one was only a half. I considered turning it into a coaster, but instead tucked it behind the kitchen faucet where my wet hands drip water.