I have not touched my big looms in weeks. I go up to the loft for something and I give them a caress as I walk by but I have not been throwing shuttles. Actually the 120cm Glimakra Standard has been nekked since I cut the first drawloom warp off of it, but I will come back to that.
I have been working on small looms, I have a lovely band on the Gilmore mini wave on complementary warp pickup that has been a joy to weave. The grand plan is for that band to be straps on a bag made with drawloom fabric.
I also participated in Tour de Fleece 2019. I finished spinning up a braid of Haunui NZ Halfbred/silk, plied it and started another braid of Cheviot. I primarily buy my fiber from an indy dyer that I found on Ravelry. Allons-y-fiber arts has such spectacular colored braids and the fiber prep is just top-notch. It just flows out of my fingers as I spin, there are not mats or neps, just beautifully prepared and dyed fiber. Here is what is on the Lendrum right now: the color called Autumn on Cheviot
I am spinning it as a 3-ply and hoping that it doesn't get all muddy because of my inexperience in spinning. I am hoping to get a pair of shorty socks and a pair of fingerless gloves from it.
A few weeks ago I had gone antiquing with a friend and we came across a bucket full of Paternayan tapestry yarn, so I grabbed quite a few skeins and pulled out the Hokett tapestry loom. I am experimenting with Wedge-weave which really caught my eye when I went to Convergence a number of years ago. The plans are for a series of small tapestries to hang on the wall outside of the staircase going up to the loft. It is a large, plain looking space and the tapestries would give it some interest. These are the yarns that are being used:
There is a good selection to play with and it weaves fairly quickly being that it is on the little Hokett loom.
I have taken up hand knitting and crocheting as well. I have done some knitting with my handspun yarns and it is a kick using them. I do not care all that much to weave with wool, so knitting it is. I am still working out what type of needles I am most comfortable using. There is a sweater on circlular needles, a pair of socks on 6" dpn's, a vest on 9.75" dpn's using a knitting belt, and a pair of mittens on dpn's as well. All of the needles are wood or bamboo, I know I prefer that over aluminum or any metals.
I am also crocheting a cross-body bag. I was looking at a website that sells Omega Sinfonia cotton yarns and a couple of bag patterns caught my eye. It is been years since I crocheted, so long I had to Google a couple of stitches😃
The sewing machines have not been being neglected either. I found a fast & fun mug rug pattern that comes out great. I made my mom a new set the other day:
All from fabrics in the stash which is always satisfying to do.
I know I will get back to the big looms on of these days, but I am having so much fun with all of the little projects in the living room:-)
