Another shot - Bull's Eye

The two latest color ways of my Color & Effect Cottolin Towels
I played with contrast in a few of the hems on the blue towels.
They were fun to weave and are nice to use, too.

I need to send a reply to Cindy who commented on my post “Conundrum Solved” from Jan. 14, 2015. She wanted help learning how to balance an Overshot block as in my Swedish Kitchen rework of Davison’s Nordic Kitchen draft. I found the solution and an explanation of why blocks wind up unbalanced on pages 41-42 of Madelyn van der Hoogt’s book “The Complete Book of Drafting for Handweavers”. Her information is top shelf and comes complete with photos and graphics. I hope you see this note, Cindy. I apologize for having to reply here. I have tried and tried unsuccessfully to post a reply. I do not know why this is a problem. (If you have helpful hints and can manage to post a comment please do.) I hesitate to think it but it may be time to find a different blog host. Thank you for your kind comment, Cindy.

Here are a few additional photos of my Color & Weave Effect Cottolin towels. I think of them as Bull’s Eye. That is not an official name for this draft. It's only an impression I have. If you see something else feel free to comment – if you can make it work.

Four different Color & Weave effect Cottolin towel warps
I think I see Bull's Eyes

Meanwhile, weaving and gardening continue. Things are really popping out in the yard which makes me very happy.

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Tax Day and Bull’s Eyes

Kitchen Hand Towel
Navy & Natural 22/2 Cottolin, Color & Weave Effect

After Samitum my Structures Group turned to Shadow Weave. The topic was soon expanded to Color and Weave Effect. A draft that caught my eye is in a wonderful book titled “Favorite Scandinavian Projects to Weave: 45 Stylish Designs for the Modern Home” by Tina Ignell of Scandinavian Weaving Magazine. For my study group project I chose the draft “Black and White Hand Towels with Color Effects” found on page 62.

On my shelf for some time now have been several full tubes of Cottolin plus many partial tubes of varying amounts. Some of it once belonged to fellow weavers and friends so it holds special meaning for me. Some of it came to me when a workshop was cancelled after the Sept. 11^th attacks. It is that old. I have been meaning to get around to using these Cottolins. This draft proved the perfect opportunity.

Cottolin Towels hanging off the back of my loom
Four different warps/Four color ways
I had fun trying highlight colors for selvedges and hems

Cottolin makes an excellent Kitchen Towel. It is strong, absorbent, has a pleasing hand, is readily available and comes in beautiful colors. It is pleasant to work with, too. I used much of the yarn from my stash. Isn't stash busting one of the best reasons for placing a new yarn order?

The structure for these kitchen towels is an 8 Harness point twill with both warp and weft ends alternating between black and natural. The Bull’s eye effect is striking and simple. The towels are a joy to weave and to use.

Kitchen Hand Towel
Garnet & Natural 22/2 Cottolin, Color & Weave Effect

This book is fantastic. I aim to weave several of the projects. Be aware that in early editions of the book this draft contains errors. Check for the “Errata” supplement page containing corrections for three of the book’s projects.

There are times when everything seems wrong. Times when it seems there's a Bull's Eye on your back. Being April 15, here in the USA it is Tax Day. Sadly it is an extra stressful occasion for many, many Americans. May each of you here and across the globe be and remain well. May the challenges we face make us stronger, encourage us to greater achievement and gratitude for good times. Spring is here. It is a time of renewal and looking ahead to brighter days.

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Yes, I Like Them Sam I Tum

This line (with apologies to Dr. Seuss) kept running through my head and adding to the fun of weaving Samitum.

Samitum Dresser-Top Runners
20/2 Perle Cotton Warp
10/2 Perle Cotton Wefts

Here you see Samitum runners intended for my grandchildren’s bedroom dresser-tops. They were woven way back in November. That is how far behind I’m running. I hesitated to send them because they have a tendency to curl up along the selvedges. That is how it sometimes goes with an uneven density between surfaces. Ah, well. I’ll think about it some more.

Several Cottolin towels are fresh off my loom and waiting for wet finishing. I think these are going to be very nice so I plan to tie-on another color-way. My loom has not been idle. There are more projects waiting for me to post.

Samitum Runner, Detail

We live in perilous times. Precautions are taken. Then we trust the Lord to keep us. Living in fear is not an option, at least it isn’t for me.

It’s a good time to take heart and count our blessings. Besides, the flowers are coming along and warmer weather is soon to follow. After all, what is a “stay-at-home order” to a weaver or a gardener? It’s what I would call an opportunity.

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Next Comes Samitum

Samitum Sampler

While the rest of my Weave Structures Study Group continued with Turned Taqueté, I decided my next logical step was Samitum.

The difference between the two weave structures is slight. Using the Summer & Winter threading, add a third tie-down on shaft three and weave without throwing tabby picks and you have Samitum.

Samitum Sampler - Detail
I had only a tiny bit of the lavender-colored yarn.
In this way I managed to use it all.

Taqueté requires two shuttle tosses per pass. It is double-faced and reversible. But Samitum, because it has three tie-down warps, requires three shuttle tosses per pass. It is triple dense and not reversible. The twill tie-down structure is apparent on the surface of this cloth.

Having woven Taquete at 30 e.p.i., I began Samitum using 20/2 perle cotton warp at the same sett. Surprisingly this sett was far too dense. So I opened it to 24 e.p.i. then switched again for a final sett of 20 e.p.i. Still, the cloth has a tendency to curl in along the selvedges. If ever I weave this again I’d consider opening the sett even further.

Samitum Sampler - Detail
It appears this photo doesn't want to be here.
This is the third try at posting. My apologies if it disappears again.

What appears grey here is actually dusty lavender. It was interesting to switch the red and lavender. Color study is endlessly fascinating and it is one way to use up odd bits of yarn.

I am glad for having had the occasion to explore Samitum. With that third shuttle, it holds far more design freedom than Taqueté. On the other hand, it takes longer to weave. Time will tell when and if I get back around to Samitum.

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Sunshine Table Runner

Sunshine Table Runner - Taqueté (unturned)
The piece on the right is a swatch exploring border possibilities

Although this winter has been mild, it has been unusually dark and rainy -  altogether gloomy. At last a few daffodils are blooming as are some of the early flowering trees. Seeing color return to the garden lifts my spirits. Weaving with happy colors does the same.

Today at a guild meeting my friend Linda said, “You haven’t posted on your blog for a while.” No, I haven’t. Why? I needed to take photos (Isn’t that a silly excuse?). Someone I care about noticed my silence. Talk about motivation.

After my Weave Structures Study Group looked at crepe weaves we turned our attention to Taqueté, actually Turned Taqueté. But I couldn’t bring myself to turn this structure. Turning it locks one into using the same pattern color order for the entire warp. So I threaded my loom in the usual way for Taqueté: 1,3,2,3 – 1,4,2,4 – for two blocks. You might recognize this as a Summer & Winter threading. The threading doesn’t delineate Taqueté from Summer and Winter. It is the way wefts are thrown that makes the difference. In Taqueté tie-down wefts are eliminated and only pattern wefts are thrown. The result is a weft-dominant cloth with vast design possibilities.

Taqueté Sunshine Runner - Detail

Sunshine & Taqueté Detail
Pattern wefts are orange and 
three shades of yellow

The warp here is 20/2 perle cotton sett at 30 e.p.i., combined with 10/2 perle cotton pattern wefts. I designed this little runner while weaving it and am happy with the result. It is a happy little table runner. The middle section worked out particularly well with two very close shades of yellow wefts. The pattern through the center is subtle but still effective.

This is a fun structure to weave with lots of possibilities. I have read Taqueté is a good structure for hand woven rugs so it will go on my “to do” list. The list is rather long though, so don’t hold your breath. In the meantime, Spring is nearly here!

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Summer Side Up

The year is rapidly slipping away. Tomorrow we begin anew. Slowly and surely daylight is growing longer. We look forward. It is an exciting time.

Little Grandbaby beneath his Wee Pine Tree Coverlet

As 2019 ebbs I had to share one more photo. It is my precious Grand beneath his Wee Pine Tree Coverlet. This time the “Summer” side shows. This is the side that was up on the loom when I wove it. You can see how the slightly darker threads running through the tree trunks create a pleasing secondary pattern. I like that. I enjoy weaving. Color is such fun! Very best of all is sharing my weaving with loved ones.

May 2020 bring you and yours great success and happiness. Happy New Year!

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Waves of Waffles

Waves of Waffle Weave yardage
The color here is far from accurate, check the next photo for a better idea.

Waffle Weave with plain weave, Detail
The color here shows a bit better

This waffle yardage was the next project after Ketchup & Mustard. The draft works well and is satisfying to weave so I simply wanted to continue with more of the same.

Lately, making use of yarns already on hand has been a recurring theme among my weaving friends. Collecting yarn is easier than weaving with it and we are mostly of “a certain age”. Also, sadly, the members of our guild are aging and leaving yarns for us to weave in their honor. Thus we are busily working to make the most of what we have while we can. I suppose it's a grains of sand in the hour glass type of goal.

Here I chose 16/2 dark teal green cotton, combining it with 20/2 black perle cotton and a 20/2 cotton variegated yarn. The teal colored yarn came from the estate of Lynn, a late guild member. She will not be soon forgotten.

The woven piece is yardage. Happily, I used a lot of yarn to weave it. Now what have I been mentioning about getting around to sewing?

Precious youngest grandson
giving his Wee Pinetree Coverlet a workout

 My youngest grandchild loves his Wee Pinetree Coverlet. Today his dear mother took this snapshot while he napped. Precious child, precious mother . . .

Christmas is nipping at our heels and there is still much to be done. I have been busy weaving Cottolin towels. Yet, there are warps between the waffles and the towels. After I take photos I’ll write about my adventures with Taqueté and Samitum.

Merry Christmas!

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Ketchup & Mustard Waffles

Ketchup & Mustard Waffle Weave

Here is a new combination. Let it be known that this is the one and only time I have combined waffles and those classic condiments. It does not sound appetizing but you might agree they make a terrific weave structure.

 Those of you who have followed my blog know waffle weave has been a particular favorite of mine. Following many experimental warps, this one is my favorite. Further experience may bump this one from first place but, so far, this one is tops.

What makes it so special? The cloth is lightweight and absorbent with a nice hand and pleasing texture, a perfect combination for kitchen towels or medium weight clothing.

Ketchup & Mustard Waffle Weave detail

The colors make me happy, too. Red is my favorite and I like to use variegated yarns. Plus, these are yarns from my vast collection. Nothing new was purchased.

Hem rippling can be a problem with waffle weave. Combining waffle cells and plain weave helps. The plain weave stripes in warp and weft hold the cell groups to minimize draw-in and add stability. Using sewing thread as weft for the hems is another way to prevent the puckers.

Hooray for the latest gourmet treat – Waffles with Ketchup & Mustard!

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Crepe Closer 4

Here it is October already. The year is rapidly fading. And this is the last group of photos from my Strickler crepe weave sampler, but it won’t be my last adventure with crepe. It is plain to see that crepe would make especially fine clothing.

Strickler # 41
I chose this one for my study group swatch exchange. It seemed the "crepe-iest". 

Strickler #42

Strickler #43 (Oelsner #826)
I admit it, this is one of my favorites.

Strickler #44

Strickler #45

Strickler #46
Another of my favorites

With weaving there is always more to learn and experience. My guess is one could never exhaust the possibilities. Isn't that the beauty of it all?

One last photo shows the swatches I shared with my study group. It was tough to whittle it down to one of the 24 options from my sampler. In the end I chose #41 because it seemed to be the “crepe-iest” crepe in the lot.

Strickler #41
Study Group swatches show rust colored weft on the left and weft same as warp on the right.

Where to go next? How about taking a quick step back into waffle weave? We'll see.

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Crepe Closer 3

Happy first day of Autumn! Don't you just love Autumn? With cool but sunny days, brilliant colors and musky scents, this is my favorite season. It’s nice to get together over a cup of hot tea or cider and talk weaving. Or at least have a hot cuppa and read the latest weaving blog posts.

Here is the third installment of photos of my crepe sampler from the Strickler 8H book.

Strickler #35

Strickler #36

Strickler #37

Strickler #38

Strickler #39, same as #813 in Oelsner's "A Handbook of Weaves"

Strickler #40, same as #814 in Olesner's "A Handbook of Weaves"

The colors of these samples really do say "Autumn", don't they?

After this there will be one more set of six photos then I’ll have a bit more waffle weave to show.    

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