Busy fiber week

This has been one busy fiber week. Per usual, times like these get me really excited to weave and spin and knit, but then time constraints hit. Still, I do what I can when I can.

First off, my SO and I met up with my son in Chesterton, IN, for lunch, then a stroll around the downtown arts district. What drew me first to this day trip was the Duneland Weavers Guild exhibit at the Chesterton Art Center. The items displayed were not only weaving, but knitting, crochet, spinning, etc. and you could touch, try on, and purchase items. I came away with some "art yarn".

Then we wandered down the street to Three Moons Fiberworks. It was easy to spot because of all the LOOMS.

The looms are not for sale but for classes and for use by individuals (for a reasonable fee). I was taken with this frame loom because at one point, I was trying to figure out how to build such a thing. This one may end up on my wish list.

Of course, there was lots of fiber for sale, and this roving found its way home with me. I'm curious if it will spin into a self-striping yarn.

That was Thursday. On Saturday, I attended a workshop by our weaving guild on harness loom weaving. A dozen or so looms were available for those of us new to harness looms to warp and weave on. What a great opportunity! And an exhausting day! It was difficult to not get excited about yet another way to weave, but I'm not sure I am ready to warp 24 ends per inch on my own, let alone figure out tie ups, etc.

Ashford table loom

Spreading the warp

Walking loom

Twill

Rosepath

M's and W's

I didn't care for the walking loom, found it too confusing for a beginner, but I can see how it would appeal to an experienced weaver. Many of us liked the Dorset floor loom on which we wove rosepath, but of course they are no longer made. All the looms folded up for easy transportation. It's really tempting, but despite their footprint being less than I expected, I just don't know where I would put one, let alone find time to weave on one. But they sure do open a whole new world of possibilities.

Knitting: While coming back from Chesterton, we found ourselves stuck in traffic for a while due to an accident. Ever prepared, I whipped out the L-Bag and worked on that. I'm on the sixth color and its about 10" long.
Spinning: STILL working on the silk/merino/tencel blend.
Weaving: I warped up the SampleIt for a new project: a table runner with Peruvian diamonds. At 15 epi, it's a bit hard on my eyes, but my Ottlite has a magnifier, thank goodness.

As if all this activity weren't enough, the spinning guild met on Tuesday. The program was about mending handknit items. I learned some new tips and tricks and hope to show you some mended socks one of these days.

Toe-up socks in Holly, MI

Are these xmas socks or VD socks? While I was knitting them at the February spinning guild meeting, someone asked me if they were Valentine socks. Given the name of the colorway, I think not. But they could be used for either.

Pattern: Short-row Toe and Heel Basic Socks, by Wendy D. Johnson
Yarn: Simply Socks Yarn Company Poste Yarn Striping, colorway 'Holly, MI'; toes, heels, cuffs (probably) in SSYC Simply Sock in 'Natural'
Needles: US1
Modifications: None

One of my pet peeves is patterns that direct the knitter to "bind off loosely". Sometimes you just can't get that bind off loose enough without producing ripples. Leslie Ann Bestor's book Cast On Bind Off contains many ways to "bind off loosely". My favorite one for socks is Jeni's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off. Basically, you introduce an extra stitch between each stitch on the needle, using yarn overs or reverse yarn overs. Works like a charm!

Potholder and a bucket list

In preparation for a program I am leading on weaving for the spinning guild, I dug out a potholder loom I purchased many eons ago, when my granddaughter was young enough to maybe be interested in using it (she wasn't) and made a potholder. Unlike plastic potholder looms, this one is made of wood and cotter pins; the latter help keep the yarn loops in place while you weave. I purchased this one from Homestead Weaving Studio when we were in that neck of the woods.

I don't care much for the loops that came with the kit (they are left over from sock manufacturing), but I did manage to make a potholder, in hounds tooth, using a pattern "wizard" from Harrisville Designs that may be found here. Too bad I didn't check for floats before taking the potholder off the loom.

I see Harrisville sells potholder looms and loops as well, if you are interested.

Knitting: I finished the socks; separate post to follow. The L-Bag is on its fourth color.
Spinning: Still working on the silk/merino/tencel blend.
Weaving: Played with potholder weaving (as described above). And I applied Minwax to the Freedom roller parts and the double heddle kit.

The owner of Tabby Tree Weaver led a workshop for our weaving guild a while back. While I did not take the workshop, I did attend her talk the night before. One thing she said that has stuck with me is, now that she had retired from her "day job", she planned to tackle her bucket list of weaving.

I'm retired. Here is my fiber bucket list. (Subject to change.)

Dyeing:

• With mushrooms
• With lichens
• Precipitate natural dye from the dye bath

Weaving:

• Double weave
• Weave with two heddles

Spinning:

• Chain-ply
• Core spinning

Projects:

• Weave rugs from tee shirts
• Weave rugs with all the rug yarn I have
• Weave rugs from "rags"
• Weave with "plarn" (yarn made from plastic bags)

Do you have a fiber bucket list? I'd love to hear about it.

Plain weave scarf, or the scarf that grew

I didn't take notes when I warped the loom for this scarf, but I'm pretty sure I was aiming for something five or maybe even six feet long. Instead, it turned out to be seven feet long, although it seems longer, maybe because of the fringe. My theory is I am so used to weaving with cotton warp that I cranked the loom too tight and stretched out the yarn. The fabric feels stiff, but some fiber friends assured me it was okay.

Pattern: none
Weave structure: plain weave
Loom: Ashford rigid heddle 24"
Warp: Cascade 220 Heathers, in colorway 9408 'Truffle Heather'
Weft: Cascade 220 Heathers, in colorway 9408 'Truffle Heather'
EPI/PPI: 7.5/7.5 stretched to 12
Ends: 50
Finished size: 5.5" x 84" (without fringe)

This project was my first post-surgery one, and I was delighted to be able to weave for an hour straight with no pain. The selvages were a bit ragged at first, but I quickly found my groove (for the most part) after a couple of inches.

I used Amy D. McKnight's hybrid warping method and Sara Goldberg's tying on method, both of which I recommend. I don't think I ever had such an even warp in my brief career as a weaver.

I can't keep up

There are so many things I want to do that I sometimes think it would be helpful if we had another lockdown. Then I could just stay home and do fiber.

So I haven't finished, let alone installed, the Freedom Roller I mentioned last time. I haven't installed the double-heddle kit, let alone warped the rigid heddle with two heddles yet. I haven't finished the socks, primarily because I hate purling. I haven't blogged about the scarf. Where does the time go?

Knitting: I have about 10 rounds to go on the socks before binding off. The L-Bag is on its third (out of 13) colors.
Spinning: I finished spinning the Polish merino - and bought some more of the roving. I plied the silk/merino/tencel blend singles because I was out of bobbins; I liked the singles better (which I neglected to photograph), so I plan to chain ply the second braid (which I started spinning).

Despite the (slightly) warmer temperatures, I have this urge to knit a sweater. I checked these two books out of our local library, to see if any of the patterns called my name. Several are intrigueing, but. I barely wore any of my sweaters last winter, so maybe I should hit pause on this idea. For now.


One thing I did accomplish is have my SO help me sort through some of the natural dyed skeins I have, combining some for future projects. Each skein is about 25g, so three should make a cowl or hat; the 6-skein group should be enough for a scarf. I don't have any patterns picked out yet.

I just finished a book called Unraveling, by Peggy Orenstein. The author found herself just short of age 60, facing an empty nest and a father with dementia, during the pandemic, and, oh, by the way, the part of California she lives in is burning. A lifelong knitter, she decides to do the sheep-to-sweater thing, to maintain her sanity. So she learns to shear a sheep, scour the fleece, spin the wool into yarn, dye the yarn with natural dyes, and finally knits a sweater that is too bulky and warm for northern California. Along the way, she explores topics like fast fashion and aging and such. This is not a how-to book, but it is an eye-opener. And entertaining to read.

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!

Tweaking

I'm still working on the closets, trying to find a place for everything that makes sense so that I will be able to find it later. All the roving is one place now, and doesn't look as intimidating as it did in its previous home. I think it won't take a lifetime to spin this.

Knitting: Just turned the heels on the latest pair of socks. I dropped a stitch near the end of the second heel, but impressed myself with tinking the short-row rows back to the error without messing up the wraps.

Spinning: In the homestretch of thin spinning the last of the mystery fiber.
Weaving: I actually did work in my cleaned-out studio this past week, on this and that. I do have to keep the door closed, though, or a certain feline naps on whatever is laying out.

Tuesday is my final physical therapy session - huzzah! Of course, I will need to continue the exercises on my own, still having trouble reaching up high, but otherwise I am pleased with the outcome. Not only am I pro-vaccine, I am pro-joint replacement.

Reorganizing

Despite my best intentions, the "studio" (a spare bedroom) had turned into a junk room. It was too easy to just toss things in there and close the door. There were weaving projects in there to work on, but I just couldn't stand to be in that mess. Time for a reorg!

One conclusion I had was the room is too small for everything that I was trying to cram in there. So I moved the two bookcases into the other spare room and loaded them up. One contains mostly spun and dyed yarn (neatly bagged in ziplocks), the other books, magazines, and weaving yarns (with felting materials on top).

Today I emptied everything else out of the studio except for the furniture, and my SO came over to help me set up a drafting table. With the resulting arrangement, I have two tables I can work on from both sides, and all three tables are different heights.

A cupboard that is not in either pic now holds all the unspun roving.

A side effect of all this work is I removed non-fiber items from the room (mostly old letters and family photographs I "inherited" from my dad), so now need to reorg the closets so I can put that stuff away. Two of the bedroom closets contain nine-cube units, one full of commercial yarn (I have a LOT of yarn), the other now holds an assortment of fiber tools and art supplies. I'm sure once I'm done, more than a few things will wind up at the Goodwill.

The studio looks so nice now I want to keep the door open. We'll see if that turns out to be a mistake, feline-wise. Hopefully, I'll be drawn in there to work on stalled weaving projects and UFOs. That's my hope.

A new habit

In a recent blog post, the Yarn Harlot described how she now starts her day with coffee and knitting. While I stick with coffee and the NYTimes, I have adopted knitting as a post-breakfast introduction to my day. An inch here and an inch there and a new pair of socks will come into being.

Knitting: Working on a short-row toe and heel pair of socks. See above.

And that is all I have done this week fiberwise. It's been a busy one, and this coming week looks even worse. I am ready to stop going to physical therapy - just do the exercises at home on my own - but the therapist is not done with me yet.

Graham slouchy hat in red Tunis

This pattern is a favorite of my daughter and granddaughter, and my daughter said she liked the red Tunis handspun, so I knit yet another 'Graham' slouchy hat. It looks more rustic than previous ones, and came out larger, so neither of them may want it.

Pattern: 'Graham' by Jennifer Adams
Yarn: Handspun red Tunis, 3-ply
Needles: US5 for ribbing, US7 for rest
Modifications: None

My handspun tends to relax a lot when knit and blocked, so I stuck with the smaller needles. As you can see, the hat expanded and is larger than one knit in Cascade 220 Superwash on the same size needles.

I've complained about the color of this yarn before, but it is beginning to grow on me. And you know what they say - if the hat fits, wear it.

Just what I (don't) need

Yesterday I went to a spin-in at my (sort of) local spinning shop, Little Shop of Spinning. Phia hosts these events the first Saturday of the month. The problem with meeting at the spinning shop is I almost always make a purchase of one kind or another. This time it was two braids of fiber, silk/merino blend with tencel. It's so soft! But more fiber is about the last thing I need.

Knitting: The 'Graham' hat in red Tunis is finished, awaiting blocking. I started a pair of socks today, just to make sure I have a portable knitting project; one toe is done.
Spinning: I decided to continue fine spinning the mystery fiber. It has a nice long staple that lends itself well to that purpose.

It's been a long time since I knit socks, despite having a lot of sock yarn. I had to crack open my go-to reference for toe-up socks, Wendy D. Johnson's Socks from the Toe Up. I favor the short-row methods for toes and heels, and use a contrasting yarn for both, plus the cuff. The break did me good - I'm excited about this project.