Madame Purl » Weaving

Playing Catch-up

Madame Purl — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:56:34 +0000

So I spent yesterday playing catch-up. The 5-day weaving class with working and life in-between is quite intensive and definitely threw me off my game. Plus right now poor Mike is working 7-days a week where last time it was just a regular long 5-day week. I spent part of yesterday running errands like grocery shopping, picking up food from the vet and I stopped by Staples where I found the yummy Bagasse comp books on sale for $.70. I think this is a once a year thing, so I stocked up on the fountain pen friendly books. The paper is a smidge thin, but made with 80% sugar cane waste is not only eco-friendly, but just smooth as glass and doesn’t bleed fountain pen to the other side. I had already stocked up on the regular Brazilian paper comp books from Wal-Mart, so I may be good for the next two years. I really just can’t resist a $1.78 savings… Wow!

So, I wanted to catch you all up on my final project that came off the loom, plus some other fun pictures.

It appears I had the loom tied up wrong on the first scarf and that is why I didn’t get such a pop on the pattern – it’s still nice – don’t get me wrong, just the pattern was a little different than planned. With this one – I got it bang on.

From one way they look like squares and from the other they look like diamonds.

Here are some of my classmates weaving. We really did have a nice class and have a good time.

These are some of the instructor Rita’s projects. Look at this coverlet… gorgeous!

She saw a picture in the Smithsonian magazine where Lincoln is sitting in front of a bed with this coverlet on.

She couldn’t find the pattern, so she recreated it from the picture. This is seriously impressive. She sent a letter to the Smithsonian and I hope they get back to her soon. This really should be on display.

So I’m already plotting my next weaving projects. I’m planning on doing the first scarf over with the correct tie ups and I’m itching to weave some thirsty dishtowels next. I’m hoping to get my second scarf fringed and dyed this week after things settle down from catching-up. Also just want to say a big THANK YOU to both Rita our instructor who is just wonderful – if your interested in weaving Rita is a great teacher. Also to Toni at The Fold for hosting this class. Thanks for letting us take over your living area and putting up with us all padding around for 5 days.

Dyed in Lilac

Madame Purl — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:34:03 +0000

Here is the dyed version of the scarf I posted Saturday. The ends have been twisted and then the dyeing began.

I think this has real potential to become interesting work. Here’s an up close of the fabric.

As I suspected the two yarns took the dye differently… now of course I’m thinking of doing different patterns in different yarns, doing different yarns together, resistant dye yarns, yarns that will soak up dye, painting sections… the process has made me think of the innumerable possibilities.

Rain Means Rainbows

Madame Purl — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:08:44 +0000

Our Saturday Sky is complete with a rainbow today.

Sorry for being MIA this week. I’ve been busying as a bee weaving three days this week and trying to keep up with my regular hectic schedule.

This gorgeous thing came off the loom today.

I have a warp ready to go that I wound last night and will go right on Tuesday for a second scarf.

Believe it or not this is a blank Kramer Sock Yarn – Jennie – 80% superwash merino and 20% nylon for the warp.

The weft is 55% silk and 45% Chinese cashmere. I’m thinking the two yarns may take dye differently… so it’s scheduled for a dye pot tomorrow. Gotta run have ends that need to be fringed.

Lovely Gifts

Madame Purl — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:30:44 +0000

So this week DH and I celebrated our anniversary. I was bestowed with lots of beautiful gifts.

This one is by far one of the best. Weaver’s Craft.

I’ve been wanting this subscription for a long time, but I wanted all the back issues as well. I’m so happy to get them all. I’m going to be pouring over them before the weaving class starts.

I also got a few more Lamy’s (oh a pink one is on it’s way as well) and some new ink.

Unfortunately, I made a rookie mistake with my first Lamy this week by not clicking in the converter all the way and ended up wearing Poussiere De Lune all over my pants on Wednesday at work. How embarrassing! It was nice splotches of moon dust. I took a picture, but before I could get it uploaded to Flickr my laptop died. Not to worry though as it’s under warranty and will have nice new bits compliments of Dell. The ink mostly washed out. There is still a bit of a faint spot, but not too bad. I’m sure the pants are still good enough for work.

Anyway, not to be daunted by a little spilled ink, I’m trying out some lovely new colors. I haven’t ventured out to other ink brands yet, but I suspect I will. I saw one person write on Fountain Pen Network that the J. Herbin inks were decidedly vintage and I would have to agree. I love vintage. I’m currently writing with the top three in the picture.

My knitting mojo seems to be funkified this week. I’m coming down off a high of finishing some big projects. I’ve also got another sock near completion. So I was thinking I would warp the loom this weekend, but I think I need to cast on a few more projects and get my wheel out, I’ve got a marathon of shows and movies to watch to keep me busy.

The Fourth

Madame Purl — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:52:45 +0000

So I’ve taken a few days off leading up to the fourth and a lot of things have gotten done. I got the dust bunnies down to a small roar again. If I waited any longer, they could have mutinied. I got this crazy idea for a short story last week and started writing it on bits of paper all over the place. I finally organized those and put them all in a inexpensive composition book. BTW there seems to be a lot written about what is better paper from Brazil or Vietnam on the Fountain Pen Network. I picked up one of each because they are ridiculously cheap and I think from the two I picked up the one from Brazil is slightly smoother. Just in case you wanted to know. (lol)

I did a warping of cotton sock yarn on my new warping board. I’m going to try this as a skinny scarf. We’ll see. It’s a 2.5 yard warp.

I worked on my La Novia some more and it’s growing. I also picked up my portion of the veggie share box, which I think I mentioned has been stretching my culinary skills. Well I have to report, I like kale. I had thought about titling this post – How to hide kale in plain sight? – but went with the simpler title.

I didn’t know I like it because it one of the veggies I never tried and you just don’t see kale on too many menus. However, it was staring at me, so I decided I would put it on some pizza. I quickly did a Google search to see if that would be fine and apparently it is not only fine, but I’m here to report tasty. I have a little left over for my quesadilla quick meal this week. In my search I found this fun Kale blog. Not sure I could do 365-days of kale, but I would definitely pick this up in the future. BTW, who says blogs are dead? So not dead – that was very useful info on that blog. Maybe 2004, but definitely not dead.

It rained the first half of the day, but I finally got out for my Saturday Sky picture when it started to clear up.

Hope you all are having a nice weekend and being safe if your celebrating the 4th of July.

The Twines That Let Us Weave

Madame Purl — Wed, 27 May 2009 02:02:46 +0000

Over the long weekend it was a good time to sort out the twines on my loom. Over time the leather ones start to disintegrate and it was time to upgrade these to the new model that Harrisville makes. I order 4 new twines and they arrived on Saturday, so I set off to work. It was actually easy work and I soon had it moving along.

I ordered a electric bobbin winder, a new stainless steel reed, some more bobbins for the shuttle, and a warping board. I’m getting serious now. I would love the bench and reeds in different dent sizes, but I’m pacing myself. I know what you’re thinking and yes, I’m feeling fine. I’m more known to go big, or go home with my obsessions, but this stuff is not cheap, so like I said, I’m pacing myself doing a lot of research and trying to make good choices.

My friend Cindy and I signed up for the weaving class that I took in March. It’s being offered again in July and I would like to take the class again. Rita was so fab and it’s just the right time in my life to do this right now. In fact, I’m beginning to think that universe trying to tell me that I need to weave. It’s dawned on me that this is the second loom I’ve received as a gift in my life. My ex (aka Beelzebub) once brought home one of those Harrisville child looms for me from a garage sale. I’m not sure where it’s at right this minute. The basement somewhere – maybe with my sewing stuff that I plan on bringing it up shortly. There’s been many, many moves since then, but I think it would be fun to see it again.

FO: My New Woven Scarf

Madame Purl — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:57:43 +0000

It was gorgeous out today and I couldn’t decide between tree scarf

or fence scarf – so here they both are.

This is the scarf when it just came off the loom.

Here is a close-up of the hem stitching that is on both sides.

I love the hem stitching it makes it nice and neat. In this one you can also see the close-up of the lovely fabric.

I then hand did the little twists at the bottom.

After this it gets a bath and light fulling which then give you the above finished pictures.

I’m doing another one for a gift and because the way it worked out I had enough supplies for two. However, I’m keeping this first one, because of course it’s my first one and I love it. I can’t wait to try some more scarves and shawls, especially with some handspun.

Weaving Day 2

Madame Purl — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 02:48:45 +0000

The weaving class continues. Yesterday I headed back to The Fold and finally got down to the nuts and bolts of the process.

I finally had my first moment of hmmm…. why did I get myself into this again? You have to thread these eye heddles, which can be a truly tedious process. Since I had know about this procedure, I chose my project wisely and picked a nice 50 or so strand scarf. Some of the lady’s threaded all day long. Whew.

We beamed the loom.

Now the fun begins. Whoops – you throw the shuttle a few times and then have to create a hem.

Ok – now the actually weaving portion and let me tell you this is the point where it all becomes worth it. It’s akin to spinning or knitting where you find a rhythm. Press the treadles, throw the shuttle, pull the beater, change the treadles, repeat.

This part seems to fly by and I have about 1/2 hour worth of weaving to go and then it’s a scarf. So what am I using for the weft you ask? 100% silk from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Yes, totally lovely. I can’t wait to get this off the loom tomorrow and do the finishing.

Uh-Oh, I’ve Had This Feeling Before…

Madame Purl — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:18:24 +0000

So today was the first day of my first weaving class ever and let me just say Wow! This was one of those moments, again, where I just loved it right from the start. Just like the spinning and the knitting. I was a little apprehensive because there is so much to know, but our teacher Rita was awesome and just said right off – don’t get overwhelmed. She started off with a short lecture and handing out these great books with a ton of info in them. There are 5 students in the class and she took time with each one of us selecting a project and appropriate yarns.

When we got to The Fold all brand new looms were set up. A Baby Wolf, Wolf Pup, and Mighty Wolf, along with a Louet Combo Table loom. Goodness gracious, talk about gorgeousness. I’m weaving on the Baby Wolf and let me just say…oh no… I love the cuteness. Did someone say travel loom?

I decided to do a scarf and picked out this gorgeous Manos and a simple gold thread. Here is my very first warp.

Close up of the cross.

Then putting it on the loom a simple way from front to back.

Thursday we get beamed (as Rita put it) and then we start the weft. Wait till you see what I picked out for the weft. Total gorgeous.

The Gift of Weaving

Madame Purl — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:25:53 +0000

Well, I’ve had a delightful new addition to my home and hobby life. It’s a Harrisville loom. My friend Maryellen gifted her loom to me. Thank you Maryellen.

Maryellen got this loom as a gift for her college graduation. I know what it takes to get there and how special a gift like this is. I will take very good care of her. I promise.

Isn’t she gorgeous? She’s a Harrisville 4 harness – 6 treadle – 36″ floor loom. I told you… gorgeous!

Maryellen also gifted me with the manual, shuttles, and all sorts of goodies including two huge stacks of weaving and quilting books. There was also a knitting and spinning book to be found too.

Now you may say – but I didn’t think you did weaving? Well that is correct. I’ve eye-balled, drooled, and even nearly signed up for a class, but didn’t want to get my panties in a bunch when I couldn’t afford the loom. Now… well the sky’s the limit, right? All I can think of is – I’m walking on sunshine… oh yeah.

The funniest thing though – a Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure. Also a gift from Maryellen. Finally an action figure that speaks to me.

DH has promised me a day to help me re-arrange. He is like a whiz at organizing things, so he will help me find the best place for her (the new loom).