I have no time to write, I’m much too busy weaving! I have an idea what this might end up being, we’ll see if it turns out that way once I’m finished.
Weaving fiber strands into cloth…
Category: Loom weaving
Something that pops…
Well, I’m finally weaving a project! When my daughter saw the warped loom she said, “Mommy, that reminds me of a parrot! It’s bright and colorful! Well, that was just the look I was going for, something that pops. I’m still unsure of what I want for the weft yarn, but that hasn’t stopped me from weaving. Currently, I’m unsure what this will be? Once finished, perhaps the woven cloth will be tucked away for a later sewing project, or I might just use it as a scarf.? We’ll see…
Recently I stumbled upon this video for warping an floor loom and I’ve kept it on file for when I do add one to my stash, as for now I’m perfectly happy with my 32″ Krosmi Harp rigid heddle loom. I’m finally using the stand, actually it’s the first time weaving since I purchased the stand. I must say that having a stand helps out tremendously. I did perfectly fine weaving on the dining room table, but the stand makes it that much easier.
On flutes and weaving…
Recently my free time has been focused on learning more about the Native American flute and loom weaving. Both have captivated me for several years…
Anything that interests me, receives a lot of research. Which, if you think about it, is how it should be since the more information (pros and cons) you have on a topic, you’re more likely to make a better choice.
I will say that internet, has made that aspect so much easier, since much of the information needed is available, I just need to take the time and read the sources. It’s much easier to search online than physically go to a library; which is something I did often before the internet was so common. And while the internet has opened up a awesome new world for anything that interest me, I still find that I enjoy having a physical book that I can reference when I want to disconnect from technology devices.
This morning, you could find me on Amazon purchasing two books on my newest interests. Of course, I researched them both before making the purchases. Mel Bay Flute Magic: An Introduction to the Native American Flute
Also, I purchased a 32″ Kromski stand from The Woolery for my 32″ Kromski Rigid Heddle Harp. Based on its awesome customer service, I should be receiving the stand early next week. The thing is, I already have someone making me a custom stand but since I know I won’t be receiving it soon I decided to purchase one now. Because it’s well made, I can easily sell it once it’s no longer needed. My 32″ Kromski Harp easily fits on the table, but many times I’d prefer to weave somewhere else. The stands gives me that opportunity.
I’m really looking forward to receiving the flute tomorrow; weather permitting of course. I’ve already set aside time to devote to getting acquainted with the new instrument.
Playing music with others…
I’m looking forward to eventually playing with others. My daughter has already promised she’ll accompany me in duets. She plays the piano. I’m also looking forward to playing with others who play the Native American flute. Because of the internet I’ve been able to connect with other Native American flute players. They’ve been very helpful. Recently, I’ve had an ongoing chat with one (also a newbie) about the flute videos they’ve posted. He even suggested playing on Skype sometime. I look forward to accepting the invitation and playing music with him… on Skype.
Weaving cloth with my rigid heddle loom; 32″ Kromski Harp
I’ve really enjoyed weaving this cloth with my 32″ Kromski Harp. The yarn chosen has created a lovely cloth, don’t you think?
I could easily see myself weaving this again…
Initially I had planned on making a scarf with this woven fabric, but now I’m unsure…
Whatever I decide, I’m tucking this away for now and will either secure the ends or I might simply use it as cloth for some small sewing projects.
Weaving a woolen scarf with my rigid heddle loom; 32″ Kromski Harp
Patons Classic Wool (felts wonderfully) and the cotton yarn; Sugar N Creme (I love using that for crocheted, knitted and now woven cloths) are the only two yarns that I purchase from Michaels.
Early yesterday morning, when I was online, I noticed that Michaels was having a sale on their Patons Classic Wool! I was there when the store opened at 9:00 a.m. In fact, I was the first one in the store. I purchased about six skeins of wool yarn. I would have purchased more, but it was slim pickings. I imagine that was because there were only a few days left of the sale.
Last evening, after the skeins had been rewound, I warped my 32″ Kromski Harp.
And shortly afterwards I was weaving. This marks my fourth weaving project. The past few days, I’ve been itching to weave with my 32″ Kromski Harp, but I’ve been preoccupied with my beadweaving adventures.
With this weaving project, I did something a bit different… I used a different weight (DK weight) yarn from my stash, for the weft. I used worsted weight for the warp yarn. The weft is the fiber is drawn through the warp yarn to create cloth. What you can’t see is the shimmer that the weft yarn brings to this cloth. It shot with silver thread and when it hits the light it gives off a bit of shimmer.
And while I normally don’t keep projects, this one was specifically done for myself. Each time I weave I’m seeing improvements. It won’t be long before I start using some of my expensive yarns for my woven projects.
Initial thoughts on the 32″ Kromski Harp
I really love this loom. To be fair, I don’t have much to go on since this is my only cloth loom. Give me a few years, and I’m sure I can add more to this since I plan on acquiring at least one floor loom and perhaps a lap loom (so I can easily take and weave during some of my daughters after school activities.)
Nevertheless, I’m pleased with my purchase and can see myself weaving many cloth projects.
A minor quibble, I do wish the the ratchet and prawls were metal instead of hard plastic and I also would have liked to have had a video included with my purchase. However, there are plenty of videos available on YouTube.
32″ Kromski Harp: Making a Pinwheel Houndstooth blanket
Even before I purchased my 32″ Kromski Harp rigid heddle loom, I knew that I wanted to weave a blanket. Initially I thought I’d make a blanket in simple weave but now I believe I’ll step up my game and incorporate a Houndstooth pattern for the blanket design.
The houndstooth pattern is a favorite pattern design and I’m already thinking of other woven items that I can make. At some point I’ll weave cloth using the houndstooth design and set the material aside until the fabric tells me what it wants to become.
Mirrix Loom-16 inch Big Sister with shed; unboxing and beaded loom adventures
Yesterday, my Mirrix Loom-16 inch Big Sister with shed device arrived! If you thought I was bead weaving as soon as it arrived you would have been wrong.
My daughter and I were out when it arrived and after we returned home I was helping her with another (second) beaded creation; a bracelet for her grandmother.
Check out the above photo. I think my daughter did a great job for her second bead weaving project! She did all the bead weaving herself. I gave her some suggestions on what she should use for the outside strands and she listened. I imagine as she gains confidence, she’ll be doing more on her own.
No additional purchases needed
The loom is about the only thing I needed to purchase and at a price of $292.99 that’s a good thing, wouldn’t you agree? I still have a lot gorgeous beads, findings, and an assortment of jewelry tools to get the creative juices flowing. I look forward to migrating to a large loom for some of my big beading projects.
In an earlier post, I stated that I had enough beads to last me for a while, but I thought it would be nice to let my daughter pick her own beads since she’s really showing an interest in bead weaving. We headed downtown to Beadazzled and I let her choose beads for herself. My daughter was thrilled, and thanked me repeatedly for letting her pick out her own beads. Beadazzled was one of my favorite haunts when I lived downtown in my mid twenties; Almost twenty years later, most of the beads in my collection came from that store. Yes… I had quite the bead stash. 🙂 I still do!
Once I took care of her I started unboxing my Mirrix Loom-16 inch Big Sister with shed.
The concept is the same as the other beaded looms I’ve worked with, but the warping of the loom is a bit different.
There were detailed instructions included with the loom for that process. The above video, is found on Youtube and shows how to warp a Mirrix loom without using the shedding device.
Before long I was bead weaving! For my first Mirrix project I decided on a simple piece to familiarize myself with this loom. Shortly after starting, I realized that I really did not have to do this since the bead weaving was no different than the beaded looms I’ve worked with in the past. But since it’s been years since I’ve done bead weaving on a loom, I mainly do off the loom bead weaving, I continued my project.
By the end of the evening, my daughter and I had both made great progress. We would have gotten a lot more complete, but the time was spent talking with each other, and taking numerous breaks to be silly.
In our home, spending hours chained to technology gadgets is not an option. Sure, we enjoy them, but there’s balance since I know what’s more important is spending time interacting with one another.