Monday, December 27, 2010

Figuring out this rigid heddle

I figured out a way to warp the rigid heddle in my living room, but the warp is LONG. I need to figure out a way to get the peg into the middle of the room and then I'll be set. I can't be making 12-foot-long warps for the rest of my life. Maybe I'll try to attach my mop to a chair ... that might work. Anyway, here are the results of my super-early-morning attempt to warp the loom, before a day spent making Christmas cookies. I wove nearly the whole length yesterday and will post the finished product later on.
The view from the back of the loom aaaaall the way across the room to the peg
Looking the other way
I got this brilliant idea from a woman who posted a video on Youtube ... it's a way to maintain tension while winding the warp on, and you don't even need a husband to help! Yay for hammers!



Monday, December 20, 2010

Tablecloth: DONE

At last! This project that I originally started about 4 years ago and then burned out on, then started again back in February, is done. I'm feeling a little bereft, if I'm honest. I need another insanely complicated or huge project to occupy my time ... maybe I'll finally tackle a thread pineapple.

So here it is:

Draped over my ottoman

Close-up

Spread out on the floor. It's pretty huge: 54 x 69!
And here's the best part: I don't actually own a table that I can put this on.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Gah! Too many projects!

I am suddenly overwhelmed with all the projects I'm working on. Not entirely sure how this happened ... most of this stuff isn't even for Christmas!

This used to be my ottoman. No feet are able to rest in this mess at the moment, however.
I FINISHED THE TABLECLOTH MOTIFS. Now I am taking my sweet time sewing the last row on.
I am working on two sock patterns simultaneously.
I joined a crochet-along to make a large shawl out of some small, yummy yarn.
I'm still laboring away on the rigid heddle.
And because all that just wasn't enough, I decided to start a new project on the cabin loom.
Didn't get too far though.
 Lord have mercy.

Monday, December 06, 2010

A timid foray into plaid

So I'm still trying to figure out how to use my rigid heddle loom. Damn you, Springwater Fiber Workshop! Why did you have to go out of business.  I need a hands-on class.

Anyway.

There are two ways to dress a rigid heddle loom: with a warping board, just like any other loom, and directly onto the loom, which is vastly preferable, but which I haven't yet figured out how to do in my limited living space because it involves walking back and forth between the loom and an end point that's as long as your warp...which can be in excess of nine feet, depending on what you're making. So for the time being, and for this first project, I went with the warping board. It's a major pain in the ass; I can't figure out how to make all the warp ends come out even, so I fear this won't be pretty when all is said and done. But that's ok...I'm using leftover yarn and am not exactly planning on making this thing into a Christmas present. It's just practice! Don't judge me.

The warp has been wound on. Much gnashing of teeth has already occurred.
Looking a little less wonky now that it's tied onto the front.

It looks sort of plaid-ish, yes?