Process Review: First Drawloom Warp
- By Karen
- March 26, 2019
- 15 Comments
There are two questions I hear most often. 1. How long did it take? 2. What is it going to be? These are hard questions to answer. I admit that I stumble around to find satisfying answers. 1. How long? Hours and hours. 2. Cloth. It is going to be cloth. What will the cloth be used for? I don’t know. But when I need a little something with a pretty design, I’ll know where to find it. There are two finished pieces, though, from this first drawloom warp: the Heart-Shaped Baskets table runner (adapted from a pattern in Damask and Opphämta, by Lillemor Johansson), and a small opphämta table topper that I designed on the loom. The rest are samplers, experiments, tests, and just plain fun making-of-cloth. Oh, and I wondered if I could take the thrums and make a square braid…just for the fun of it.
I will let the pictures tell the story of this first drawloom warp.
May you have plenty of things to make just for fun.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
15 Comments
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All the Looms
- By Karen
- March 19, 2019
- 17 Comments
The plan to keep every loom dressed is easy when there is only one loom. Now that I have four floor looms, it’s a tough plan to follow. The drawloom—check. The Glimåkra Standard, dressed in Tuna wool—check. The two smaller looms are threaded, and just need tying on and tying up. So, I’m well on my way! The end of the first warp on the drawloom is in view, however. That means the drawloom will soon be back in the queue. And so it goes.
I like to stay a step ahead of my looms. I’m ready to wind a new warp as soon as I finish cutting off. It’s the cycle of weaving. But I have trouble staying ahead.
We have good plans for our lives. But often, it’s tough to follow those plans. Too many things happen at once, and we don’t know how to stay ahead of it all. The thing to remember is that our plans stem from our inner commitments. When we commit our ways to the Lord, trusting him, he leads us through our days. Trust turns plans into achievements. And those are the plans worth pursuing.
May your best plans succeed.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
17 Comments
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Robin says:
I love your posts. You are such an inspiration. And it is so evident you went to vavstuga, using the techniques she taught. Going there for the basics class was a little retirement gift to myself last year.
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Hi Robin, Going to Vavstuga Basics was one of my best moves. I learned things from Becky Ashenden that I use every day. I’m glad you’ve had the Vavstuga experience, too!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Beth says:
Robin is right, you are an inspiration! Your work is impeccable and motivating. I have only two looms and can’t seem to get them going at the same time.
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Hi Beth, The truth about multiple looms is that you can only weave on one loom at a time.
Now that all the looms are threaded I may focus on one loom at a time and weave it off. …unless I get distracted by another loom and decide to weave a little on it…
Thank you for your kind words,
Karen
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Good morning Karen,
About this time last year I warped up my homemade loom at the top of my skill set in rosepatth, then life got in the way. Last week I started a 6 week class at the Fiberwood studio near by. Chosen pattern is rosepath, to get my skills where they need to be (and girls night out with a friend).
Such joy to know you have also chosen rosepath to show on your blog.
God does provide to the ready student.
Nannette
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Hi Nannette, I’m happy to hear you are interested in rosepath. Rosepath rag rugs are at the top of my list of favorite things to weave. It’s been way too long since I’ve had them on the loom.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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I just finished my first “ throw” . It was 46 wide in the reed. I had a terrible time keeping the edges and the floater broke a few times. Not my best weaving to say the least. How wide do you do your blankets and do you have any tips for weaving wide pieces? I would love to try the Tuna wool- what epi do you use for it?
Thanks Karen!
Maria Navarra-
Hi Maria, I know what you mean about facing challenges with a wide weave. I don’t use floating selvedges, so I can’t answer to that. I do use a temple. I find the temple helps me get consistent selvedges with wider widths. The weaving width of my biggest loom is 47″, and I have woven nearly that full width. Getting just the right tension on the warp is necessary, so that it’s just tight enough. If it’s a bit too loose, my shuttle wants to fall through.
Here’s a page from Vavstuga’s website with a “recipe” for a Tuna wool blanket. I would go with that for a first time Tuna wool throw. It makes a terrific throw. http://store.vavstuga.com/product/yarn-borg-woo-tuna.html
The one I have on the loom right now is double weave, and the sett is pretty dense, so it takes some patience and practice to make the wool open up with a decent shed.
Happy weaving,
Karen-
Anonymous says:
Thanks Karen. I think a temple would have been helpful- Next time. Thanks for the link .
Maria
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Karen says:
The last time I got both of my looms warped at the same time I took a photo….so I could prove I did it and so I could remember it….ha. Thank you for your encouragemment and inspiration, including a journey of faith.
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Hi Karen, Don’t forget it has taken me about 3 months to finally get all the looms (almost) dressed. Haha. There’s never a chance to get bored around here.
All the best,
Karen
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Annie says:
Good morning, Karen. Thank you for the inspiration regarding best laid plans.
And the inspiration for weaving. I purchased a Megado recently and I am struggling with the follow through and putting it into use. Life does try to side track. However, I need to remember to hang onto the plan and trust in God.
Hopefully, I will get to the Hill Country one day to visit.
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Hi Annie, We would be delighted to have you come for a visit!
There are many things in life more important than dressing looms. I’m sure those are the things you are attending to.
I have found that I can make it a practice to go to the drawloom every morning after breakfast, even if for a short time. And, it surprises me how those minutes add up over time and now I’m almost at the end of the warp. I think, How did that happen?
All the best,
Karen
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Liz says:
I am so blown away with how prolific you are with weaving! It takes me all day to dress my little Schacht! I am inspired watching your work! Thank You!!
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Hi Liz, It’s all one step at a time, little by little, day after day. It adds up. I think you’re doing quite well to dress your loom in a day!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Charlotte Reid says:
Is it possible to do opphamta designs on a standard four harness loom (drawdown)? I’ve been trying to figure this out after being in Sweden and visiting some weavers. I have obtained what looks like two shed blades for my floor looms ( they came with the used looms). C. Reid
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Hi Charlotte, What an interesting visit to Sweden you must have had! It is most certainly possible to do opphamta designs on a regular four-shaft loom. One book with a good description, including pictures, of the process is “Damask and Opphämta,” by Lillemor Johansson. I was able to find a copy through a used book seller. You could also check with your local handweavers guild to see if they have a copy you could borrow.
Besides a pick-up stick and weaving sword, you will need long-eye heddles. And for repeating patterns, some sticks with holes in the ends and some regular heddles to use as half-heddle sticks.
I think you are going to have a wonderful time with this beautiful weaving technique!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Tried and True: Center the Reed
- By Karen
- March 12, 2019
- 10 Comments
Eleven hours and thirty-six minutes into this project, the starting line for weaving is just around the corner. Wind the warp, and beam it. Thread the heddles. Sley the reed. Unlock the back beam ratchet. Move the countermarch to the front of the loom. … Pause when you think about moving the twelve shafts and the reed forward with the countermarch. Reach. Wiggle. Pull. Wiggle. Pull some more. Got it. Now, put the reed in the beater. Relax? Almost, but not yet.
We must not forget to center the reed. I center the reed just as soon as the reed is in the beater.
How to Center the Reed
(We are actually centering the warp that is in the reed.)
Supplies needed: Tape measure (or string)
1. Using the tape measure, measure from the right edge of the warp in the reed to the outer edge of the beater on the right-hand side. Hold the tape measure with your fingers marking the measurement.
2. Holding that measurement, place the tape measure at the left edge of the warp in the reed stretching out toward the outer edge of the beater on the left-hand side.
3. Note the difference in measurement between the right side and left side. Move the reed in the beater to center.
4. Repeat the first two steps until the measurements are the same on both sides.
Now you can relax. Enjoy the moment, because you are that much closer to seeing fabric take shape!
May you enjoy the process you’re in.
Patiently,
Karen
10 Comments
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Trina says:
Only a weaver would appreciate the amount of concentration that has gone into getting to this point! Well done!
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Hi Trina, True! And only a weaver would understand that I enjoyed every minute of it.
Thanks,
Karen
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Gosh! So much involved with setting up a countermarch. I’ve only dealt with easy-peasy jack-types. I agree with Trina’s sentiment.
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Hi Beth, The countermarch seems straightforward to me. It’s all I know. Having 12 shafts does add some complexity though, I admit.
It’s what we get from the loom that counts, and I always admire the cloth you weave!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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I do not yet enjoy setting up the loom. It is so hard to wait to throw the first shuttle. But, like all things worth doing, the solid foundation makes the end result beautiful.
Praise God .
Nannette
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Hi Nannette, I find the setting up process calming (most of the time), but I understand that each of us approaches the loom differently. Point well taken that a solid foundation makes the end result beautiful.
Thanks,
Karen
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Cindy Bills says:
Thank you for always showing us your process! It is fascinating. I had to chuckle at the “eleven hours and thirty -six minutes…” I recently spent hours working on a cramming and denting project only to find as I began to weave that I’d missed a dent in the sleying. Then missed catching it when I tied on. And when I first started to weave! Oh boy, patience is required then, for sure. It is important to love the process and the blessing of it all. 🙂
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Hi Cindy, I think denting errors are the worst of all. After I finished sleying this one I realized that I had missed the step of checking the number of dents in each grouping. I’m hoping, hoping that I won’t have to regret that later. But even re-sleying becomes part of the whole process, doesn’t it?
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Vivian says:
What a beautiful warp. It is inspiring.
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Hi Vivian, Thank you so much! I agree with you that this warp is beautiful. I like looking at it.
All the best,
Karen
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Weaving Hearts
- By Karen
- March 5, 2019
- 12 Comments
Pulling the draw handles for each four-thread unit of weaving is like doing counted cross stitch on the loom. I enjoyed cross stitch in the 1980’s and I am enjoying this drawloom version now. Very much. I started this Heart-Shaped Baskets table runner on Valentine’s Day—a fun way to celebrate the day!
Like weaving on any floor loom, I want to have consistency in my beat and in my selvedges. Inconsistencies in these basics can detract from the drawloom imagery of the final cloth. The main thing is to keep paying attention. And keep joyfully pulling those draw handles to create more hearts of love.
Grace is a gift of favor, not an earned reward. Forgiveness is the giving of grace. And gratitude results from receiving grace. Grace makes us graceful. Giving and receiving grace with consistency is what we’d like to see in ourselves. That’s when the love of God, in whose image we’ve been made, is most clearly seen in us. So we practice what we know to do. And pay attention. And keep joyfully weaving a heart of love, by God’s grace.
May you be grace – full.
Gratefully yours,
Karen
12 Comments
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Nancy Malcolm says:
I have seen that draft in the book. It is so Beautiful on your loom!! I hope to convert my loom for drawloom someday. Enjoy!
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Hi Nancy, You have a lot to look forward to! It is fun to use patterns like this from a book. And it’s not that hard to make your own patterns, too!
Thanks!
Karen
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Janet says:
Very nice Karen! Looks like you are having a great time 🙂
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Hi Janet, Thanks! Yes, I’m having a great time. There is so much more to try. I have yarn waiting in the wings for my next warp on this drawloom!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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I am amazed by what you are able to do with your draw loom, Karen! Not only is this heart pattern delightful but also the other towels I can catch glimpses of. I definitely understand why you wanted a draw loom and I am so happy that your dream came true.
You are the most graceful woman I know, Karen and a wonderful inspiration as a Christian and a weaver.
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Hi Annie, It’s fascinating to me, too, how much the drawloom can do. I have worlds more to uncover on this loom!
Your kind words are very touching. That means a lot to me.
All the best,
Karen
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The more I see draw loom weaving, the more I start to think that I need a draw loom! For now, I will have to relegate it to a “one day” possibility and appreciate the looms I already have.
Your hearts are beautiful!-
Hi Kelly, Maybe there’s a double meaning to the word “draw” in draw loom, as we are “drawn” to it. It’s a good thing to appreciate what we have.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Good afternoon Karen,
There is so much to learn. Thank you for leading.
Your prayer on grace touched my heart.
Nannette
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Hi Karen, Yes, this is incredibly fun! The drawloom opens a whole new arena of fascination.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Copyright © 2019
They are both beautiful! I love the blanket stitch look around the heart piece.
Hi Beth, Thank you so much! Ah, blanket stitch – I hadn’t thought of it as that, but you’re right, it does have that look. I like having a border.
All the best,
Karen
Amazing.
Thank you!
All are lovely.
Thanks so much, Sandy!
Karen
Thank you…looks amazing! Your last comment gave me pause. I spin all the time for the enjoyment and just to make the yarn. However, I really weave with project in mind, never just for the enjoyment and experimentation. Going to have to change…..
Hi Karen, Sometimes we’re too hard on ourselves and strive to be “productive.” But there is value in doing creative things just for the sake of being creative. Besides being fun, that’s where a lot of learning happens for me.
Happy weaving,
Karen
So beautiful! 10 total shafts needed for the heart runner?
Do you sell the pattern or is it available somewhere?
Hi Joni, there are 4 ground shafts and 10 drawloom pattern shafts, plus the “x” shaft for selvedges. The pattern is in “Damask and Opphämta,” by Lillemor Johansson.
Without a drawloom, this pattern would need many more shafts.
Thanks!
Karen
Sorry I don’t know why it came up anonymous
Man, when someone asks me how long it takes to weave, the answer is always different. So much goes into the designing, warping and threading that makes it hard to calculate time. As you know, some pieces are less labor intensive than others.
Hi Linda, So true! There are so many variables.
Karen
Wow, Karen! Each piece is beautiful! It would definitely be fun to create all those designs.
Hi Annie, It’s been so enjoyable to see the possibilities for designs. I made a few of them by re-working some old cross-stitch patterns.
Thanks!
Karen