No Hurry at the Little Loom
- By Karen
- September 25, 2018
- 6 Comments
I hope you haven’t forgotten about this sweet little loom at our Texas hill country home. It is refreshing to be able to start right back up and weave another placemat. This is a breeze, even with two double-bobbin shuttles. Color and weave brings plenty of design play. Over the weekend I was able to squeeze in enough weaving time to finish one more placemat.
New placemat begins. Two red picks will become the cutting line that separates placemats.
Peaceful setting for unhurried weaving.
There is no hurry or urgency with this project. Other events, transitions, and necessities have taken precedence the last few months. It’s nice to have a ready loom that doesn’t hold a deadline. Simple two-treadle plain weave during a transitional season is a welcome respite.
Two doubled-weft picks of dark coral make a line of contrast in the color-and-weave cotton placemat.
Faith is trust. It’s the simple framework we long for when life gets complicated. Trusting the Lord is like knowing what to expect when you throw the shuttles, yet still being pleasantly surprised as you see the fabric form in front of you. His grace removes the hurry and the worry. We find his grace through faith. And isn’t that exactly the respite we need?
May you have a break from hurry and worry.
Happy weaving,
Karen
6 Comments
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Weaving Deadline
- By Karen
- September 4, 2018
- 14 Comments
I had a deadline for weaving these towels. Eight days. I finished dressing the loom at our Texas hill country home on Monday afternoon, and wove in long and short increments throughout the week. Mostly short increments. After all, I had little grandchildren to enjoy at the same time. And sweet interactions with my daughter and her husband. I finished weaving the four towels on Saturday evening, and cut them off on Sunday morning, just in time to bring them back with me to Houston to do the finishing work.
Cloth beam fills up with double weave towels.
Four towels woven. Time for cutting off!
Cloth puddle.
Aqua is the main color on the front of the towels. The reverse side has Poppy as the main color.
Ready for finishing. This week I will be mending errors, wet finishing, hemming, and sewing on labels.
I was highly motivated. I knew this may be my only chance to finish these towels for Melody before she and her precious family move to Chile in the near future. Now, she will be able to take a woven piece of my love with her. Know your roots. Where are you rooted? When your life takes root in good soil it will grow. Rooted in love, your life will blossom to bless others. And those are roots you can plant anywhere in the world.
May you bloom where you are planted.
With love,
Karen
14 Comments
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Joyce Lowder says:
Very Beautiful, the towels and your advice. At times, I wonder, “Why am I doing this project?”, especially when I have been challenged with warping or broken threads…but when it comes off the loom and you think of the person you will share it with, love IS the answer! The Greatest of These is Love!
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Beth Mullins says:
They’re so pretty and the colors perfect for Chile! Melody is very lucky. You are very kind. Can’t wait to see them finished.
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Hi Beth, I had Chile in mind when I selected these colors. One of the towels will stay with me, so I’ll have a Chile towel in my home that will remind me of Melody. I’m excited to see how they are after wet finishing.
Thanks,
Karen
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Laine says:
More information on mending errors please.
As a beginner I have many 🙂-
Hi Laine, Thank you for asking! Beginners aren’t the only ones with errors. I make my fair share of errors, too. Haha! I have quite a few skipped threads and floats to take care of on these towels.
Here’s a link to a previous post to get you started: What to Do About Weaving Errors
I hope that helps!
Karen
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Angela says:
The towels are beautiful. What technique are you using? Is it double weave? You weave so many beautiful projects and you have such nice messages.
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Hi Angela, That’s very kind of you to say such sweet things.
These cottolin towels are woven in double weave. After washing they should be soft and absorbent.
All the best,
Karen
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Quickly becoming a decade ago I set up my almost forgotten 4 harness loom on the 3 season porch to provide something to occupy my time during the never ending treatment of DCIS. The result was a stack of small rag rugs the size used in front of a kitchen sink. They were gifted to sibs and nieces and nephews Christmas 2010.
Faded from use but with years of wear left. The rugs are used in bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, kitchens and the outside stoop of my daughters house. I am amazed at how the work of my hands is a part of the lives of so many people I love.
May the people you love and those you do not know enjoy the work of your hands.
Nannette
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Hi Nannette, It’s rewarding to think of all the people who are using and enjoying the work of our hands.
Thanks,
Karen
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Lyna says:
I was wondering…what do you do with your thrums/loom waste? The colors of this warp are so luscious it would be a shame to throw away any of it!
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Hi Lyna, You are asking someone who just had to downsize from a full-size house to a small transition apartment. After saving my thrums for a few years and not finding a use for most of the beautiful threads, I decided to discard them when the weaving is finished. With the exception of linen. I do have a project in mind for all my linen thrums.
I use threads from the thrums to do my repair finishing work. I have used thrums for choke ties before, but I have enough re-usable choke ties that I prefer. I have used thrums tied into longer pieces to wrap gifts and packages.
I don’t want to store things anymore. It doesn’t seem like a waste to me because I got the best part of all the beautiful threads in my handwoven towels.
How would you use the thrums?
All the best,
Karen-
I can see the point in tossing when finished, I come from an old German farmer background and must resist the “box of string too short to use,” black-hole-of-clutter tendency. I was wondering if thrums, sorted by fiber type, would make a good shaggy rug. What do you have planned for your linen?
“What do you do with thrums?”could be a good question to ask your Facebook friends to discuss, collect and evaluate ideas for a future post. Just an idea for your oh-so-abundant (not!) free time!
Thanks for posting even when life get busy! I especially appreciate your reflections on weaving as a metaphor for walking with God.
Bless!-
Lyna, I’m a little too familiar with the old German farmer background. If you only knew… Haha! That’s in my heritage, which may be why I have to fight the tendency to think “someday I could use this for something…” Thrums could probably be used for some rya weaving. Until I have that planned I’m not keeping my thrums. (Don’t tell my mother.) 🙂
I’d rather be weaving than checking FB, so I don’t do much of that.
It’s so good to have you along on this journey!
Karen
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My Loom Is a Pipe Organ
- By Karen
- August 31, 2018
- 6 Comments
Threading twelve shafts in three blocks is like having three four-shaft looms all in one. The three simple block patterns can be arranged in various ways, giving me infinite design options for these towels. There will be no two alike. Double weave gives us crisp lines between colors, producing amazing cloth! This is another instance where weaving on this Glimåkra Standard feels like sitting at a big pipe organ, where glorious color patterns are the music of the loom.
Exciting color combinations!
Second towel has squares and fewer weft color changes.
As the first towel wraps around the cloth beam, the second towel nears its hem.
Faith. Faith in the powerful working of God is like exploring the possibilities of handweaving. You know the systems are in place for something amazing, but you find it takes a lifetime to discover all the glorious wonders. Double weave is just a glimpse of that glory. I have faith that there is Oh so much more. Likewise, our faith in God is an ongoing discovery of his works and his ways. With every glimpse of his glory and goodness, we know there is Oh so much more. Eternity won’t be long enough… And maybe heaven will be filled with music that explodes in color.
May you know the thrill of discovery.
With faith,
Karen
6 Comments
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Betsy says:
Those are works of art! I’d be thinking of framing one.
And you had me looking at the Glimakra price list, wondering how much it would take to expand my Standard to 12 shafts. 🙂
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Hi Besty, The first three towels will go to my daughter. There should be enough warp after that for one more towel, or table runner, or maybe a framed piece. That’s a great idea. Thanks!
You can do almost as much with 8 shafts. But, I have to admit 12 shafts is nice.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Annie says:
Love these colors, Karen! And the variety of the patterns is amazing! I can’t wait to learn Doubleweave. Your daughter will treasure these and I expect everyone in Chile will want a pair as well.
I am looking forward to seeing you on the 6th.
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Hi Annie, It is interesting to try different patterns. I think these colors will be fitting for Chile.
See you soon,
Karen
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Janet Hageman says:
Karen, These towels look amazing! Did you pre-plan the patterning for each towel, or are you “winging it” as you weave?
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Hi Janet, For the pattern on the first towel I was making it up as I went. After that, I got out some graph paper and crayons and planned it out. Having a plan saves quite a bit of time at the loom. It’s fun to create different patterns.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Testing Color Surprises with My Little Helper
- By Karen
- August 28, 2018
- 12 Comments
Twelve shafts and twelve treadles are all tied up. I found and fixed one threading error. And I am still making some adjustments on the tie-ups to get clean sheds. But for the most part, the Standard is ready to go! I have a week with this loom, to weave towels for my daughter. This colorful double weave looks promising.
Arrangement of the heddles on the shafts give a clue to the three blocks in this twelve-shaft double weave.
Testing weft colors and patterns with granddaughter Lucia by my side.
Two-year-old Lucia helps manage the shuttles.
Design decisions for the towels will be made based on this beginning sample.
It’s surprising to see the array of colors produced by only four shades of cottolin thread.
When the loom is properly dressed and prepared, the weaving is delightful. Every pick of color is a pleasant surprise. Our Father knows our needs. He is the loom dresser. Everything is set up for the threads to make gorgeous cloth. Do we think prayer is all about asking God our Father for things? Yes, he does invite us to ask for the things we need. But let’s start with admiring his ways and works, with a heart of gratitude. Then, with the threads he puts in our hands, the future looks promising!
May your looms be ready for weaving.
Happy weaving,
Karen
12 Comments
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When God blesses us with variables your loom demonstrates I believe He not only wants to meet our needs but wants to bring joy to our souls. Some people weave tabby with their lives. Some people live their lives weaving lizards while exploring the subtle variations in the process. I believe God wants us to explore and enjoy all the good He has to offer and dresses our individual looms to do that..
Yesterday our second grandchild arrived. He is as perfect as his older sister. A day such as that makes it easy to forget all the threads that had to be re-sleighed along the way.
Blessings to all
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Hi Nannette, Congratulations on your new grandchild!
I’m grateful that God has given us so much to enjoy.
All the best,
Karen
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Laura says:
Love the pattern and colors….
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Lynette Glass says:
Can I weave something similar with four shafts? Do you have any four shaft doubleweave pattern ideas or books that you know about? I like your colors very much!
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Hi Lynette, You can certainly do double weave on four shafts. I don’t personally have much information on the topic, though. I do know that Jennifer Moore is known for her work in double weave and has a book and video about it, as well as workshops that she teaches.
I chose colors that were not in my usual palette, and I’m pleasantly surprised at how much I like them.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Susie redman says:
This looks stunning – the colours are so complementary. Are you managing this double weave on only one back beam?
Susie-
Hi Susie, I have only one back beam, and I don’t know the first thing about weaving with a second back beam. Is double weave like this something for which a second back beam is useful?
Thanks!
Karen-
Susie says:
Hi Karen,
I have only experienced double weave on a table loom and it was fitted with a second beam – one for each layer. My own loom is a Glimakra Standard too and I’m heartened to see that you can achieve double weave with one back beam. I had thought that it would be out of the question.
Many thanks,
Susie-
Hi Susie, You will have no trouble weaving double weave on your Glimakra Standard! I think this loom can do anything!
Karen
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Rebecca Neef says:
This is so beautiful and inspiring. What an adorable helper you have! I have a Glimakra Standard also, a 120cm model. Mine only came (used) with 8 shafts, although it has 12 treadles. Is yours a special model made for 12 shafts, or did you do anything special to accommodate the extra shafts? I’d sure love to be able to do some 12 shaft weaves on mine! Thanks.
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Hi Rebecca, I was surprised that my little helper would sit there as long as she did. There was a lot to keep her attention, I guess.
My loom (120cm) also came with 8 shafts. I wrote to Glimåkra USA and told them I wanted to upgrade to 12 shafts and they listed all the parts I would need to do that, and then I ordered the parts.
I don’t expect that I’ll use 12 shafts very often, but it’s nice to have them for a few special projects.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Guest Weavers
- By Karen
- May 29, 2018
- 6 Comments
We finished another placemat over the weekend. We, meaning a few guest weavers – and me. I had a small tribe of eager weavers, aged eleven to seventeen. I didn’t give beginner work to these beginners. We did what was required for this color-and-weave project on the loom—double-bobbin shuttles, two (and sometimes three) shuttles at a time, two-pick stripes, advancing the warp, placing the temple, and more. Another placemat completed, with only one broken warp end along the way. I call that a win!
Quietly watching me, and taking in the details, this young weaver grasped the essentials, and began weaving in a graceful manner. After just a few minutes, Madison told me she could do this all day. That sounds like a budding weaver to me!
Sean is an attentive listener, closely following every instruction. He happily donned the weaving apron. And the Gingher snips on a woven band were hanging around his neck, ever ready to be used.
Jenson joins in to lend his observation skills while his brother does the weaving.
Ashley is someone who takes initiative. She enjoyed the challenge of learning something new, and quickly was weaving with very little assistance.
Isn’t it delightful to share what you enjoy, and then see the spark of delight and accomplishment on a young person’s face? This is another good reason to make and keep family friends.
May you share your delights.
Love,
Karen
6 Comments
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Julia says:
It is always fun to see the eyes of new weavers light up when experiencing for the first time the magic of making cloth! I’m curious about the weaving apron – can you speak about it some more?
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Hi Julia, Yes, It is fun to see the expressions when they see magic happen at their fingertips.
The apron? You’ve given me a great idea! I will write about the weaving apron on my next Tools Day post. For now, suffice it to say that the apron protects my clothes and protects the cloth on the breast beam.
Thank you!
Karen
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You’re making such a positive impact in their young lives. I’m also curious about the weaving apron. Does it hold magic? 😉
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Hi Beth, I like the idea of making a positive impact on the next generation. At the same time, I find that they are making a positive impact on me, as well.
Thanks to you and Julia, I know what my next Tools Day post will be—the magical weaving apron. 😉
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Joanna says:
I volunteered to demonstrate moderately hands-on weaving on an antique rug loom at a local history museum to school classes a couple of years ago. We get kiddoes from kindergarten through fifth grade. Before the first group I had some doubts about how it was going to go. Wow! Fantastic! I think more budding weavers are on their way and I’m excited for school to start in the autumn.
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Hi Joanna, It’s always great to see young people become interested in handweaving and other handwork crafts. That sounds like a fun loom to weave on, too!
Karen
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Copyright © 2019
That was just the message I needed to hear today!
Thanks!
Hi Lynette, I write about things I need to hear. So you and I have this in common. The Lord is so good to meet us where we are.
Love,
Karen
There is beauty in the simple to do and the complex. In the cottage pudding and the gingerbread construction. In the purity of the weave in the dish towel and in the detail of color and stitch in the lizard tapestry. The building of a submarine and the weeding of a bean patch.
I think being able to see the beauty in our daily work is a gift from God. Of course, the occasional WOW!!! is welcome.
Blessings,
Nannette
Hi Nannette, Thanks for the reminder to see beauty in the simple to the complex. I agree, it’s a gift from God to see it.
All the best,
Karen
Love this – beautiful weaving and beautiful words!
Hi Kelly, I’m glad you found it meaningful!
Thanks so much,
Karen