New Toys

There's a new face in the studio. Meet Libby.... who sits on on the top shelf of Lilibet, my Louet Spring loom. This one was spotted when touring around town with my brother a few weeks ago. I resisted but she was still there when I went back. Must be fate! Connor our terrier thinks it's for him and he waits....and waits...

I know of some fibre enthusiasts who madly collect all things sheepish: mugs, stuffed ones, pictures, ceramic ones.... heck even real ones! I selectively bring home cute sheep. They are restricted to my studio and are nestled onto shelves, among yarns or tucked near books. There is only so much room so they have to pass muster to be among the chosen few.

I recently got word that a former member of our local guild was selling off all her weaving equipment and books. The loom and yarns were long gone, but I have discovered that it was sold to a friend so I'll be seeing it sooner or later. What perked me up was the ball winder and swift for sale! I have those already but my daughter needs them. She has taken up knitting and doing great! If you have a Ravelry account, her user name is 'Gnomenapper' and take a look at her projects and her toe up socks. (I'm in awe of sock knitters). Below is her swift which needs to find a long skinny box to begin its long journey to North Carolina. The ball winder is mine and is a duplicate of her winder which is already on it's way.

I also got a 36" stainless steel 8 dent reed for my Spring. It nicely rounds out my selection now and I have an 8, 10, 12 and a 15.

There were books of course!
This one of weaving around the world. The author's name is Anne Hecht and she did a nice job of recording the various methods in the major cultures world wide.


There has been some interesting Shibori showing up at blogs lately and so I snapped this one up and hope to give this technique a try! ( Thanks for the nudge Ngaire!)

I arrived home with goodies in hand to find that some back ordered books had arrived from Amazon in the mail. To further pursue studies in colour theory, I now have Deb Menz's Colorworks to mull over. ( sorry the image is a bit fuzzy...the camera battery died and is on the recharger)

The second title shows great promise! I have a major bead stash and would like to utilize my beads more and be creative with them. Maybe move on from just the 'fringe' of things!

The author shows all the various securing techniques quite clearly and the book is a fun read and quite inspiring. This peek is a cross view of the various beads and ceramics and I have seen many at Beadworld. (though I plan to use what I got at home first.....honest!! :)

I have been weaving away on Elena's shawl and I'm two thirds the way through. I love the way the two blended reds literally glow on the loom. Using multiple shades of a colour gives it much more life! I'm hoping to have the shawl off loom before we leave on our vacation and complete the finishing once we get back. I'm also getting physiotherapy on my tricky right ankle and it's great to know that my weaving (and treadling) counts as exercise. My warm up at the loom before going for my treatment today impressed the therapist. (She also has magic hands)

So I have walked by Lilibet, the current naked loom and it just doesn't seem right. I thought "I'll just wind a warp for some scarves. 196 ends didn't take long , so why don't I just quickly beam this 9 yard warp? " That went fast ! ( I love the new method a la Jane Stafford!)

I wove for an hour on the shawl and took another stretch break. Next thing I know, I'm threading the scarf warp! Took a stretch break and wove some more of the shawl. This was multi tasking at its best.

After lunch, I lifted one end of the Spring loom and slipped some storage boxes under the feet, then lifted the other side. Spring looms are quite light! Tie up went okay... not too long time wise.

Once perched off the ground, I sit on a small stool and do the tie up in a much more comfortable position than cramped up on the floor. I have the spare treadles secured up with a single tie up cord. They are released once it's back down on the floor.

So I did thread it... any bets on what happened next?

Back to the shawl !

Half Time Show

I have been spending time for the past few days weaving most afternoons and realized that I'm half way through the first scarf and half way through the towel warp. The scarf is slow going and I must be *very* alert to the treadling plan! I weave at that loom first while the light is better and I'm fresher :) Remember this draft ? Look at the star burst in the centre...


Blogger turned the picture, but here it is on the loom:

The star burst is the only part that is still giving me trouble treadling and I must be extra careful with the centre. But it sure is worth it! I'm looking forward to trying another colour or a silk weft.

On the towel warp, I have four towels done and now starting a new colour. It's a soft creamy beige with a hint of yellow undertone. I wanted to have some more neutral colours and I'm quite amazed at the effect. Rather than the hearts being the focus, they have receded and the emphasis is on the total look. It has the look of a tapestry or upholstery. I hope this pictures captures some of this 'look'.

I also have two new additions to my library! A weaver and friend is downsizing her weaving inventory and I bought two of her books and I'm looking forward to reading them over the coming winter. I have a love of ancient textiles and so eager to review this one:

And with the recent passing of Peter Collingwood, I'm looking forward to reading this:

I'll do a review of these sometime next year....or 41days. Which ever comes first! Yes, 41 days till 2009....