August 20, 2009

“Ideas are like rabbits.

You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen."

— John Steinbeck

So, let's talk about "firsts". First weaving -- first knitting -- first spinning or dyeing project -- that sort of thing. Do you even remember yours? Do you still have it? If you gave it away, did you take a photo of it for yourself? I think it can be really interesting to go back and look at our firsts, and see how far we've come.

Since I learned to knit when I was little, I've no memory of my first knitting. It was probably a potholder or something like that and until several years ago, I really hadn't picked up the needles again. My first knitting project of recent years was a wool scarf (and I live in Texas). Smart, right? I do still have it and really enjoy wearing it in winter, or maybe the first week in February each year. :-)

My first weaving project was on a Cricket loom, made with leftover yarns from various knitting projects in one evening, following the instructions in the box. The scarf is for sale, although I wouldn't be upset at all if it never sells and I get to wear it next February. Surely the weather in Texas will change by then. Please?!

First weaving 4/09

First Spinning - 12/08

First Koolaid dyeing (3rd from the right) Summer 2008

So what do you think about sharing your first projects? If you're game, email a photo and a little background info to kendrick4343@gmail.com, and I'll upload them here, along with mine. I can't wait to see where you started!

Oh and incidentally, the big scary floor loom is not so scary anymore! Finished a project on it today. :-)

Discovery: When I sit down to spin or knit or weave, it's really hard to stop. Before I realize it, hours have passed, knee-deep in fiber. It is indeed one of my favorite places to be.

July 29, 2009

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” — Maya Angelou

So ... I'm slowly getting used to the new "look" in the living room, these contraptions taking up so much space. And I forgot to mention, I have yet another loom, a tri-loom, which lives in the dining room. There was no more room in the living room. ;-) I threw a large woven Mexican rug over the big loom. It kind of blends in. Maybe no one will notice.

This has been a crazy week, but I managed to finish a 23"x30" clasped-weft style piece on the Baby Wolf for the coffee table. Warp: Maysville cotton rug warp. Weft: Noro Blossom, two different colorways. Discovery: It's easy to make scarves and shawls the same width at both ends, but more of a challenge on wider pieces. This table mat is actually the same width at both ends, so I feel like I've passed another small hurdle. Delightful. The piece is making its debut at a Tapas Tasting Party this weekend.

Also Completed: a rayon chenille tape yarn rug on the Baby Wolf. The yarn is from The Drop Spindle, which sells amazing hand-dyed yarns. Haven't really found a home for this rug yet, since I'm running out of wall space, as well as floor space, so it may be sold.

Next Big (Scary!) Hurdle: warping the new floor loom, using all eight harnesses and something other than a plain weave pattern. Will keep you posted, if it turns out well!

July 24, 2009 Welcome!

Hi! My name is Lydia and I love all things fiber! When I was a little girl, my mother taught me to knit and crochet. While I still enjoy knitting and crocheting, now, as an adult I discovered the joy of weaving, spinning and dyeing yarn. I love that there is always something new to learn and new techniques to try. The possibilities are endless!

I've only been weaving a short while, but those of you who know me, know that I tend to just dive right in. My living room is becoming a "looming room", with a Schacht 46" floor loom, a Schacht Baby Wolf and a Schacht 20" Flip loom. It took a little kreative rearranging to make space for all this.

I owe my fascination with weaving to several people: Susan at Hill Country Weavers who sold me my first loom, a Schacht Cricket. Susan was so encouraging and really opened the door for me to pursue this craft. Sue Ellen at Old Oaks Ranch who gave me the grand tour of the loom room and let me try out the looms. And finally, Sandra at Old Oaks Ranch who is my weaving instructor and good friend. Sandra is so patient and explains the steps in a way that is so easy to understand and put into practice. I would recommend her to anyone who would like to learn to weave.

While waiting for my class day with Sandra at the Ranch, I played around on the Cricket on my own and made several nice scarves, some of which are for sale at Old Oaks Ranch and some of which are for sale in my Etsy store. The instructions that come with the Cricket are excellent!

Then I took the class with Sandra learning to weave from start to finish on the Baby Wolf which I had purchased from them. I made a lovely shawl in just two days!

So today, I'm starting a clasped weft project -- a table runner for the living.... uh, looming room with some cotton carpet warp and Noro Blossom yarns. Photos coming soon!

Have a wonderfully, kreative day! Lydia