Sage guest towels

After finishing a set of leno curtains, I needed a palate cleanser. Some plain weave towels sounded perfect. However, this project was my first with cotolin, my first with 8/2 yarn, my first with both warp and weft doubled. Some new experiences, to say the least.

Pattern: None
Weave structure: Plain weave
Loom: Ashford 24" rigid heddle
Warp: Maurice Brassard et Fils Inc. 8/2 Cotolin Organic, in 'Sage', doubled
Weft: Maurice Brassard et Fils Inc. 8/2 Cotolin Organic, in 'Sage', doubled
EPI/PPI: 12.5/10ish
Ends: 205
Loom size: 27.5"x15.5" for one towel or the other
Finished size: 24.5"x14" for one towel, 23"x14" for the other towel

One problem with weaving two of anything on a loom is maintaining an even beat so that they come out the same length. I didn't have an adequate tape measure nor did I pay too much attention to the one I did have, but I *thought* I kept an accurate count of picks. Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. The two towels came out a bit different in length.

Using doubled yarn was in itself a bit challenging but definitely doable. I'm glad I have a niddy noddy, a swift, and a ball winder to help when it came time to load the shuttle. What I did not like was the wrinkly fabric that came out of the dryer. I made some towels with cotton before that were relatively wrinkle-free, so I'm guessing the wrinkles are caused by the linen content of cotolin.

Recently, weavers have been participating in an annual towel exchange. Of course, theirs are masterpieces, especially compared to my early efforts. However, I find myself getting hooked on weaving towels.

Fixed despite the heat wave

The plan was to meet up with Phia, the owner of Little Shop of Spinning, prior to the spinning guild meeting, BUT. The AC in the building we meet in could not cope with the 90+ degree heat that day. The meeting was cancelled. Instead, today I drove out to Roanoke (IN) so Phia could fix my wheel. I also bought some fiber (how could I not?) and cruised the Roanoke Vintage and Handmade Market (did not make any purchases there). So my Ashford Joy 2 is up and running again. Huzzah!

White is Romney, blue is Polish merino

Knitting: Same ol' same ol'. Down to 155 stitches per row on the Habitation throw.
Spinning: See above.
Weaving: The waffle weave towels are off the loom! The stitch pattern looks so lovely, I hate to wash them as they will shrink significantly. The wall hanging (which is in shades of grays) is off the loom as well, awaiting some hand finishing.

My SO and I have been out and about again, this time to a new restaurant on The Landing called Mercado (Cali-Mex cuisine). Then we went to the annual members exhibit at Artlink, where my SO has a photo on display. Downtown Fort Wayne has been transformed from a flood-prone nothing to the most happening place in Northeast Indiana.

Broken wheel

I was spinning along on my Ashford Joy 2 the other day when it broke. More specifically, the rubber thingy that connects the treadle to its arm broke. I think the part is called a "poly conrod joint". Hopefully, my local spinning shop can fix it for me. I could order the part and try to fix it myself, but my hands don't work as well as they used to - no gripping power.


Knitting: Still plugging away on the Habitation throw. I used to count stitches on just the eyelet rows, but I've been having so much trouble with the decrease rows that I have been counting stitches on every row. Down to 167 stitches per row.
Spinning: See above.
Weaving: I started towel number two, am almost halfway finished with it. I also addressed some finishing work on a wall hanging I created quite some time ago but it's still not done. I unwove the wall hanging I started a couple of weeks ago; it just wasn't working for me. I restarted it, though.

During the summer, Fort Wayne hosts festival after festival in our revitalized downtown. The past two years have been festival-less for the most part, but it looks like things are back to "normal". Since I needed to be downtown anyway today, my SO and I hit up Germanfest, celebrating its fortieth year. We ate brats and potato salad, and watched part of the "wiener dog" races. Even though I am not a big festival-goer, I admit I got a little teary eyed about the seeming normalcy of this kitschy event, even nostalgic about the polka music.

I hope things are feeling at least somewhat normal for you, too.

Fiber break

This past week, we spent a few days in Chicago. While I took along the cowl I'm knitting, I didn't work on it much. It was kind of a relief to not weave, knit, spin every day like I've been doing lately. While visiting the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art I did keep an eye out for fiber art, though.

The primary exhibit was by Nick Cave and included many whimsical pieces made of a plethora of objects.

If you look closely, you will see that the objects are mounted on a background of afghans.


In the museum store, there was a display of woven bookcovers. I didn't check out the details other than note their presence and wonder if I might weave some of these myself. (Assuming I own any books that deserve a handwoven cover.)

Knitting: Still hacking away at the Habitation throw. I'm about an inch beyond the ribbing of the cowl.
Spinning: When home, I spun a bit more of the Shetland top.
Weaving: I did finish towel number one, have yet to start towel number two.

Volunteeritis

I'm not one to volunteer very often, and when I do, it usually does not work well. But this year, I volunteered at the Salomon Farm Fiber Fest for the spinning guild - that was fun. And now it seems I am the unofficial "outreach coordinator" for the weaving guild. We've lost dues-paying members over the course of the pandemic and are running low on funds. So I've been searching for ways to raise our profile, attract new members, and earn some money.

Then, at a recent Zoom meeting with the board, the audio cut out at one point and I inadvertantly volunteered to help with a "super Saturday" in August, on tapestry weaving. At least no one asked me to become an officer. At least, I don't think so.

Knitting: Yes, still hacking away at the Habitation throw. Since I need a portable project, I started another 100% That Cowl.
Spinning: Still spinning the Shetland top. On spool #2.
Weaving: I'm almost done with towel #1 - just need to weave the hem at the end. And I warped my big frame loom for a wall hanging and started weaving. (The photo makes the yarn look like shades of brown when it is really shades of gray.)

Usually I avoid politics and religion in this blog, but in the wake of the recent tragedy in Texas, I feel compelled to put in my two cents worth. I am wondering if firearms could be treated like tobacco: sales of firearms and ammo highly taxed (and the proceeds could be used to fund mental health services), elimination of all advertising on all media, "gun-free" zones like we have "smoke-free" zones, age limits on purchases, etc. This action would sidestep second amendment issues while addressing some of the contributing factors of this senseless violence. I've contacted all my legislators, both state and federal, but frankly, I feel very hopeless and helpless.

Fiber in Iceland

A tapestry artist I follow, Rebecca Mezoff, just completed a month in Iceland, experimenting with the local fiber and yarns. She wrote about her experience in her blog. While she was abroad, I read a book called Names for the Sea: Strangers in Iceland, by Sarah Moss. Moss and her family spent a year in Iceland about ten years ago, where she discovered (among many other things) that knitting is endemic in Iceland. The Icelanders think it strange that we have a Knit in Public day because many of them knit in public on a regular basis and no one thinks it odd. Fun fact: the iconic Iceland sweater came into being shortly after World War II, which makes it a relatively new "tradition".

Knitting: Back to the Habitation throw; I've finally decreased to less than 200 stitches per row.
Spinning: I'm still spinning the Shetland top, decided to just finish it all in one go.
Weaving: I'm about halfway through the first waffle weave towel; this project seems to require a lot of "tools".

And I finished hemming the plain weave sage-colored towels (again), this time by hand.

Despite being vaccinated, my granddaughter came down with Covid, presumably Omicron. Fortunately, she did not get very ill. Unfortunately, they were out and about the two days before her positive test, thinking her runny nose and headache were from seasonal allergies. It wasn't until she developed a fever that they thought to give her a home test. I too have seasonal allergies and have tested myself several times, just in case, especially if I was going to be among people. So far, so good. (Knock on wood.)

100% That Cowl

I needed a small, portable knitting project, but not socks. This cowl was the perfect solution as it is stockinette bordered by 2x2 ribbing. Very simple.

Pattern: 100% That Cowl, by Kris Rossi
Yarn: Colinette Cadenza in 'Tapis' colorway
Needles: US5 for body, larger needles for cast on and bind off
Modifications: I didn't follow the pattern regarding colors, as the only DK yarn I had was this hand-dyed one

I was a bit surprised that the yarn bled when I gave the cowl a bath.

The merino yarn is very soft, so no itchiness when worn next to the skin. The cowl is nice and stretchy, too, easy to pull on and take off.

I have enough of this yarn to make another cowl, albeit a bit shorter, so I plan to cast on again when I need another easy, portable knitting project.

I spun and spun and spun some more

Yesterday morning I worked my shift at the Salomon Farm Fiber Fest, for the spinning guild. I can't recall the last time I attended this fiber fest, so it felt a bit new to me, plus I think it was downsized? Anyway, I arrived early enough to help set up, then parked my butt in a very uncomfortable folding chair, and spun and spun and spun.

Natural dyeing display

Besides me and my wheel, there were several volunteers showing kids how to hand card fleece and spin it into yarn using a spindle. Since it was a Friday, the clientele was mostly home school kids of all ages, and their parents, although there were a few adults without children as well.

Sheep breeds and flax info

I didn't have a spiel prepared, but after a while I developed a patter about what I was doing. I also answered random questions about the displays. In the future I think it would be helpful to have a volunteer to "man" the displays, to answer questions and point out exactly what they are looking at (like the live silk worms).

We lost the F's somewhere along the way

At lunchtime, I quit for the day, but then had to visit the other displays. The weaving guild was there, as well as quilters, a flax demonstrator, a goose quill demonstrator, a knitting guild with various knitting machines, etc. Many of the demonstrators are involved in multiple guilds, which explains why it is so hard to find volunteers to work the festival. And it also explained why I was still there two hours later, because I had to talk to everybody.

Silk display, including live worms

Besides the demonstration area, there were vendors. I took a quick tour but managed to get out of there without buying any fiber. In fact, I got rid of two of the fleeces in the garage, as someone needs dirty fleeces to test some machinery that will turn waste wool into something for gardening? I didn't catch exactly what the purpose was, but was happy to provide some raw material for the effort. Those fleeces were free and have been weighing on my mind. I felt I should process them or have them processed, but the one free fleece I did clean and card turned out to be of poor quality. I didn't want to spend a lot of time and/or money on something that might be a disappointment. I still have a Jacob fleece to play with; I purchased it locally and trust the provider.

Knitting: I finished the cowl; separate post to follow. The Habitation throw is out of time-out; apparently, I just can't count.
Spinning: See above.
Weaving: I started warping the Ashford 24" rigid heddle for some waffle weave towels.

A common weaving problem is measuring one's work as one goes along; dressmaker measuring tapes are usually too short. One solution is to make one's own paper tapes, which I did last week. It was a bit tedious, but now I have a collection of tapes that are over 12 feet long.

I used some kraft paper that came as padding in a package, not realizing that there were perforations every 8 or 9 inches. So besides all the measuring and marking and cutting, there was Scotch taping as well. In the future, if I need to repeat this task, I'll buy some kraft paper.

A success

Sometimes I think the more experienced weavers at guild look down on my efforts (with good reason but still rude). So I was pleasantly surprised at the interest generated by the sari yarn runner that I brought for show-and-tell this past week. It's not often I get to impress those ladies. (And for the record, the sari yarn *is* silk, not polyester. I think I got it from Darn Good Yarn.)

Knitting: The Habitation throw is still in time-out. The cowl is nearly done, though.
Spinning: My wheel is set up and I started spinning some Shetland roving.

Weaving: The hemming on the sage towels looked so bad I ripped it out so I could do it by hand. I'm learning that one should weave the hems with a lighter yarn to reduce bulk. I will definitely do this in the future.

The presentation at the last weaving guild meeting was how to dye with "mud". It wasn't really mud but minerals derived from soil. Bengala dyes have been used historically to paint temples and shrines. It protects against termites and UV rays, so the colors don't fade in the sun. Unfortunately, it is rather expensive.

We played with it a bit, dyeing some handwoven fabric and yarns. The colors are subtle if the dyes are diluted with water, but used directly they are quite intense. I started by dipping my piece of cloth into different colors, to create subtle striping, then went overboard using the dyes directly. I also dyed a hank of what I think is hemp.


This is the simplest method I've come across for dyeing fabric and yarn, as it requires no heat, not much mixing, no special equipment. And it is very safe to use.

Little Looms

For a while now, I have purchased each issue of Little Looms from either B&N or Little Shop of Spinning. I finally decided to subscribe and the first issue I received has a "been there, done that" feel, articles on topics I am already familiar with. Not that I can't learn something new from Tommye Scanlin (author of Tapestry Design Basics and Beyond) or Myra Wood (author of Crazyshot) - lord knows I don't know everything there is to know about anything - but I was expecting something more unknown to me.

Even though I have quite a few issues (of the magazine - we won't go into the personal ones here), I think I have never actually made any of the projects with the exception of some xmas ornaments we fiddled with at weaving guild. I'd like to change that, so I spent some time yesterday perusing old issues, focusing on projects where I did not need to buy any fiber. (My cynical self thinks some of the projects are simply methods for flogging yarn, especially the ones calling for five or even eight different colors.) Before warping a loom, though, I need to sample some color combinations.

Knitting: The Habitation throw is in a time-out, as I made another booboo and the stitch count is off AGAIN. Meanwhile, I returned to the DK cowl, deciding the colors look better once I knit beyond the initial ribbing.

Spinning: No, I didn't actually do any spinning this week. However, I did volunteer to demonstrate spinning at the next Salomon Farm Fiber Arts Celebration. Time to dust off the Ashford Joy and pick out some fiber.
Weaving: I *finally* hemmed the sage towels. Too bad my sewing skills are not better. Maybe I should actually sew something simple, like a caftan out of muslin, just to get more practice.

My driveway now sports a basketball hoop, as my granddaughter is interested in the sport and her driveway is not conducive to such activity. Back in the day (WAY back), I went to a high school that did not have team sports for girls, but I played intramural basketball and was rather good at it, if I do say so myself. Imagine my shock when I discovered I can't throw the ball hard enough to reach the rim, let alone make a basket. Fortunately, the hoop can be lowered, so I've been practicing to strengthen my shoulders so I can play "Horse" with my granddaughter this summer. The things we do for those we love.

Sari yarn runner

It's too bad I did not take a photo of this sari yarn runner or at least measure it before putting it through the washer (on gentle) and dryer. It used to be as wide as the coffee table it rests on, and hung over both ends. In the midst of this project, I did work up a little swatch and washed it, to see what the sari yarn would do. I didn't pay attention to the cotton warp which is used as both warp and weft; the swatch went from about 5"x5" to 4"x4".

Cotton warp shrunk a bit

Pattern: Derived from the Rewoven Fabric Bag, from the book Inventive Weaving on a Little Loom, by Syne Mitchell
Weave structure: Plain weave
Loom: Ashford 24" rigid heddle
Warp: Maysville 8/4 cotton warp in black
Weft: Maysville 8/4 cotton warp in black, Darn Good Yarn sari yarn in 'Multi Color'
EPI/PPI: 7.5/7.5
Ends: 144
Finished size: 42"x16"

In situ

The pattern is for a bag, which matched my original intention. Then it became a runner for the coffee table in front of the TV couch. The cotton warp used as weft alternates with the fabric and locks the it into place for a very sturdy result.

Weaving with sari yarn is, well, challenging. The so-called yarn consists of strips of sari cloth that are sewn together to create a skein of fabric. There are a lot of loose threads that I trimmed as I went along. A temple helped keep the selvages in line.

In real life

This is one of those projects that came off the loom a while back, but sat and sat, waiting to be hemmed. Consequenlty, I lost the project notes, so I'm a bit hazy about the above details. But rest assured, the runner exists and it is finished.

Finishitis

We have a JoAnn store here, but I hate to shop there, mainly because of the s-l-o-w checkout. I don't shop much at Walmart, but they have a sewing and craft section and self-checkout. So that is where I went to purchase some thread. I have the finishistis bug and am determined to complete my outstanding weaving projects, if only so I can clear off the dining room table. I will post about them separately.

Knitting: *Finally* moving forward again with the Habitation throw. While I'm knitting, I find myself thinking, On my *next* Habitation throw.... But seriously, I think this is the last one, no matter how much sock yarn I still have.
Weaving: I hemmed the top of a sampler of leno and Brooks bouquet techniques. I also hemmed the sari yarn table runner. Next up are the sage hand towels and leno curtains.

I came across this magazine at Barnes & Noble. It almost makes me want to take up felting. It's from Australia, so it has quite the international vibe.

Why we swatch

While working on the sage towels, it occurred to me that sage and gray would look good together. I worked up a little sample on a mini loom and they do NOT play well. They are too close in tone.

I also played around with a red, gray, and black combo. I like how they look together as a warp, but am flummoxed about the weft. I'm thinking a repp weave, which is warp-faced, but I don't know how to do that except on my inkle loom. Research is needed.


Knitting: I did more tinking than knitting on the Habitation throw this past week; I keep messing up the decreases. I started a cowl using a DK yarn, but I may frog that because I don't like how the colors are pooling.
Weaving: The sage towels are off the loom! Initially, they were different lengths, but after washing and drying, they almost match. While I was working on finishing steps, I also washed and dried the sari yarn runner and the leno curtains. The latter are very different in length, not sure how best to correct that in a way that is not too noticable. Now I need to do some hemming on all these items.

At spinning guild, the program was learning how to make Dorset buttons. For some reason, Dorset buttons are hot right now. They are a bit addicting, but I don't think they would hold up well if used as actual buttons on a sweater or something. They add a nice touch to hats and such, though.

We were supposed to spin the yarn for this project, at 14 WPI, but I used some fingering. I haven't felt the urge to spin lately, maybe because I have SO MUCH handspun yarn just waiting for a project.

Minimum daily requirement

Tommye Scanlin says "Weave every da*n day." And I try to do just that, at least a little bit, on all my active projects. My downfall is actually *finishing* the projects after they are off the loom or needles. So while I weave at least two inches on the guest towels each day, I fear the hemming will take a bit of motivation. At least the Habitation throw doesn't need any extra treatment once the knitting is done.

This past week's weaving guild program was on tartans. It was advertised as tartans and plaids, but the plaid part was more of a not-tartan part. I'm a Hamilton, and the Hamilton clan has a tartan in red, navy, and white, but I doubt I will ever weave a sample because, except where each color crosses itself, the weaving is in 2x2 twill, a bear to do on a rigid heddle loom. I might work up a tiny example on my Swatchmaker if I am feeling particularly adventuresome or masochistic. (Photo from Clan.com.)

Knitting: I made a booboo on the Habitation throw this past week, so progress was slow while I recovered from that.
Weaving: I am halfway done with the second guest towel on the 24" loom.

My SO and I went to an actual movie theater last night, to see "Drive my Car". (Excellent film, by the way. but l-o-n-g.) Cinema Center is our local "art theater". Before the pandemic, they began actively targeting a younger crowd, so we let our membership lapse. I wasn't sure who would be in the audience last night, but it was the usual gray-haired seniors, socially distanced in pairs, so I felt safe enough to go maskless. There is an article in the NYTimes headlined as "I didn't want to go, but I'm glad I did." That seems to be my new motto.

Trying (this and that) week

Overshot is kicking my butt. I tried it on the SampleIt loom (which was already warped), but the warp is spaced too tightly (10 epi). So I shifted to the pocket loom (8 epi), but am still struggling. I must be doing something wrong because I can't seem to keep the warp covered, plus I think the result is supposed to be reversible, and mine isn't.

I have also been playing around with that super jumbo yarn I purchased at the Jay County Fiber Fest. I tried knitting it, but it requires larger knitting needles than I have. I tried braiding it, just for fun, but two of the colorways are too close in tone. Then I created a swatch on my Swatchmaker. So now I'm thinking wall hanging, woven on a frame loom. Maybe.


There are so many ideas for tapestry tumbling around in my head that I decided to purchase some stuff that will help me actually implement them. On the left, cotton seine twine in beige and black (I already have some in natural), on the right tapestry bobbins. All this came from the Yarn Barn in Kansas. They are the only place I usually buy from that offers the cotton seine twine in colors.


All of the above was happening in my so-called studio, a spare bedroom that tends to get junked up very easily. I rearranged things a couple of weeks ago, but found myself trying to do too much on too small a table. So I broke down and purchased what my SO calls a "potluck table", one of those folding tables that are used for backyard picnics and such. Now I have a little elbow room.

(The suitcases under the table hold family photos that need to be sorted and distributed. Not sure how I became the keeper of family memorabilia, but it happened.)

Knitting: Yes, I am on the decreasing half of the Habitation throw. Even though each row is still over 250 stitches, I find myself working on it a bit more because I want to hurry up and be done with it.
Weaving: I finished one of the plain weave guest towels that is on the 24" Ashford rigid heddle loom. I'm using a temple, so the selvages look better than usual.

And so it goes.