High Days of Summer

I'm still here!   Its been crazy around here and more of that to come.  I'd better start with what weaving related stuff I have:

The second Drall scarf is under way using a magenta as weft. I really like this one! The two rich colours really compliment each other.  I'm still not sure what colour I will use for scarf three but I will dig through my stash and find another equally rich gem. The Louet Spring is the only loom actually set for weaving right now and its great to be able to grab a few minutes from time to time. One of the benefits of no naked looms!

The Woolhouse had all its cords set and so I got busy planning a warp. I've gone back to some older ideas and revisiting some drafts done before.... or at least their updated versions.  I want to do a waffle weave again. Years ago when I was a newbie I wove four shaft waffle weave towels for all my family for Christmas.
They came off and went into the wash and that''s when I learned all about shrinkage and that waffle is greater than 10%. The 'gifts' were too large for dishcloths, and too small for towels and every one still thanked me  regardless.

Then the latest issue of Weavers Craft arrived in my mail box recently and the entire issue is all about waffle weave! Talk about timely. (Its a great little publication)

I'm doing the 8 shaft skewed waffle weave from the magazine...

It produces the waffle boxes but they are sort of jauntily off set. Something a little different... I like that.  :)
So got busy winding a warp and beaming it.  I use the sectional rake on the Woolhouse and use my own method (described in an older post link under "topic shopping" on the right hand side bar.)

So its all beamed on now and I'm busy threading away and looking forward to weaving on this loom again. Its been awhile!

I have a draft in mind for the Megado and will start on that warp once the Woolhouse is up and running. I'm trying to consolidate my efforts rather than scatter it everywhere.

So why is this all taking so long?
Well, Hubby took sick again and in a very short period of time was in the hospital.... again. Thanks to IV antibiotics we nipped the problem in the bud and avoided surgery.  *phew*
A routine test did spot something else we didn't know about and so that began a series of Doctor appointments and more tests.  As of last Wednesday, he was given the "all's clear" by a specialist. Boy, Life sure becomes much sweeter after an experience like that! It puts everything in perspective and shows you what is truly important.

We also have had house guests too. Our son and daughter in law came for a couple of days and of course this means, Ethan came too. His first 'road trip' and it was to Nana's house!
We had a great time just relaxing and chatting. Ethan was really good and for the most part was smiling and talking away to us.  I discovered I can still do a speedy diaper change (you have to with little boys!) and I can still cook breakfast with a baby on my hip. Dad was loading up the car and Mum was in the shower so Ethan and I made French toast.

Grandad Bruce hasn't down loaded his camera yet so here's a cell phone pix that we got while they waited for the ferry ride home.  He's coming up to being four months old! Time is flying by....

Hope your summer is going well!  I've heard from a friend in New Zealand that their weather has taken a spring like turn, so there not a lot of summer left for us. Enjoy it while you can!

Review: Warping Your Loom

Some posts ago, I showed you some DVD's I received just after Christmas and promised to review them for you.  I will do all three sets in time but I'm just doing one today:

Beautifully presented by weaving  instructor Madelyn van der Hoogt

It is  a two disc set produced By Interweave Press has a total running time of 148 minutes.  I would say that this DVD is aimed at new to intermediate weavers, or those who need to brush up in their techniques. There are some great tips as well for anyone at any level!

 Filmed in a nice location, bright and cheery. Sound and picture quality is good.   In the first disc, Madelyn takes you through winding a warp and then warping  from front to back. I used to do this method back in my newbie days  but not as efficiently as Madelyn shows it!  I like the way you can stop the disc, go back and watch it again (and again!)

On the second disc Madelyn shows how to wind multiple threads on the warping board. How to maintain the thread by thread order whether its two threads or multiples with a warping paddle. How to wind colours without constant cutting and knotting ends.  There are demonstrations of vertical warping mill and also a horizontal warping mill. (Like Madelyn I prefer the warping board.) How to transfer the cross from one side of the reed to the other is very helpful as well as winding striped colours individually and combining them at the reed if all that colour switching at the warping board is not for you. I found how to wind a even and tight bobbin a nice bonus as this is often overlooked.  Learn the various techniques and then make choices which is best for you!

There is a full demo of winding a warp with a thread by thread cross at one end, and a raddle cross at the other and then beaming the warp from back to front  for finer or fragile threads such as silks or linens.

I have no negatives to say about this DVD and found it to be like having Madelyn van der Hoogt right there in your home. She will go over and over a point as many times as you need and never get tired or want a lunch break!  :)
At first I thought it a bit simplistic but after viewing it a second time I have to come to realize that this is  its point. Keep it simple and stress free. Show proper techniques in small simple steps and the weaver will have success on their looms at home.  The better a warp is wound and beamed onto a loom, the better the weaving can be!

This is a nice 'private' lesson in your own home and can also be a good visual aid for a beginners class.

To follow up on this DVD, a new weaver can refer to Handwoven magazines for inspiration. I would also recommend heartily Weavers Craft  by Jean Scorgie  which are specifically written for the student weaver ( and bonus:  no ads!) For bright colourful  four shaft pattern, with explanations on the weave structures: Anne Dixon's  The Handweaver's Pattern Directory.  There is also the classic (which I learned from) Learning to Weave by Deborah Chandler

The next review will be of Madelyn van der Hoogt's companion disc: Weaving Well. From Yarn to Cloth.


Unfortunately I seem to be dealing with cranky lower back issues right now so I'm not sure how much weaving will be happening around here. I went out for a short time period to tidy spent spring bulbs in the flower beds around the house and now paying the price.  Another true confession is that I was recently diagnosed with Lupus and will actually be seeing a specialist today. [ edit: I have Arthritis Lupus]
 I'm still learning what all this entails, but I'm resolved to keep on weaving!