Happy New Year Everyone!

New Project for 2011, A Throw!

I have decided to make a really pretty throw for my Niece. Her birthday is in May, so I think that will give me plenty of time. Just Kidding, It won’t take that long.

I have all the yarn on the sectional beam and now Im off to thread the heddles. The structure I am using I got from www.handweaving.net for 16 shafts. It is a sort of scalloped look. I am using 3/2 Perle Cotton White for most of the throw and at each end I will accentuate the structure with with 3/2 cotton the color of a fresh Green Apple. Her room is decorated in pleasing shades of celery, apple, and sage accents and white. She plans on buying a chase lounge for one of the corners of her room and I pictured her sitting there on her lounge chair snuggled up with a good book and the Throw her Aunt made her. But until then… I better get started!

This should cover my entire wing span. Who knows! This just may serve two purposes… One; I get a Throw for my Niece , Two; I’ll get a little upper body workout!  Well here I go…

Thanks for reading my blog. I never thought someone would read it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

EMMA THE ELF!

The last of the indigo!

Well, I have now finished off all the indigo Tencel I dyed this past summer.  I did a sort of mesh mash of techniques to get this done. I did one pick white one pick blue, then I did 3 blue 1 white, then I clasp white and blue. I thought it would turn out to be a mess but I kinda like after all.
Here are a couple pictures of both scarf's.

Star of Bethlehem scarf!

Several months ago I dyed some 10/2 Tencel fire red. I finally figured out what I wanted to make with it. I forgot to take a picture before it went out the door, but here it is while in process

It turned out so pretty!

I have been a busy BEE!

I pulled out my sock machine and decided to make socks for Christmas presents. I must tell you that there is a very steeeeeeep learning curve to learning and actually ending up with a sock...that could go on a foot...and not look weird! After 3 weeks of practice, I was back in business. Take a look.
First, I will show you my machine

Here are the pictures of the socks I made. I also got clever and made matching scarf's

In total I made 19 pairs of socks and matching scarf's!

Indigo Crystals cont… Crackle scarf!

Well, as you know I dyed a bunch of 10/2 Tencel with indigo crystals… Im still using it up. Here is my latest project using the indigo tencel.

This scarf I used a crackle structure. The warp was all the indigo and the weft was white.

This scarf is soooo soft. I finished it off with white glass beads and silver hearts.

Here is a close up of the fringe…

  

Next, I am going to use up the rest of the Indigo colored tencel.

My first Knitted hat! Alpaca, Andean Chullo Hat

When I was searching for the wool for my ruffled scarf on the Knit Picks website www.knitpicks.com  I came across this cute Chullo hat. I love alpaca’s so I bought the kit. It only cost $17.00 or so, and I got enough yarn to make at least 5 hats.

I took pictures with my phone then sent them to my email. They are really bad quality but you will get the gist.

 

Here is the ear flap!

I attached the earflaps and started the body of the hat.

 

Now it is time to wash and block.

All done!

It took two weeks to complete, really fun to do. I had to go on www.youtube.com to find out how to knit intarsia. What would I do without Youtube!   NEXT!!!!!!

 

Fall is here! Ruffled Double weave scarf in fall colors!

I wanted to make my next project in a Fall palette.  I got out all my dyes and decided to try my hand at a space dyed or variegated yarn.  Here are the colors I used. 

 

 

They look better on 8/2 Tencel rather then a paper towel.  My idea with this was to create four layers of color using these colors but each layer would have a larger section for the “Star” color.

 

It is kinda hard to tell but, The one closest is mostly Plum, 9 inches and all the other colors are 3 inches. The next one is mostly Rust orange, the next, Moss green, and the last was Rose Red. I used marigold between the Rust and Moss as well as the Rust and Rose Red.

Here is what it looks like on the bobbins.  It didn't come out as different as I wanted it to but still pretty. Next time I will make the “Star” a much larger section. Live and learn right?

Now it was time to get the Tencel on Louie. I got this Idea from the last issue of “Handwoven magazine.” I love that Magazine!

I used 8/2 tencel for the 4 layers of warp. I used  “Palette” fingering weight wool from Knit Picks in Clover green and Mulberry for the center section.  I used 10/2 Tencel for the weft. I made the weft colors all the same size sections.

   

Emma, My supervisor!

 

 

You can see the separate layers here.

 

 

All done! Now I need to wash it in the washer to shrink the wool and create the ruffles in the Tencel.

 

I cut the fringe to 10” and twisted it. I know the wool will shrink more but that's ok.

 

Really cute in person! That was so much fun! On to the next project…

 

Table Runner’s for Wedding presents!

I finished the four table runners and had enough warp left over to make two night stand placemat things (what do you call those???).  I used 8/2 tencel, white for the warp and 3/2 perle cotton in a cream for the weft. I got this draft from one of my favorite blogs, http://weeverwoman.blogspot.com/ when you get there, click on the Thrums link. You should check out her work! She does such a beautiful job and her attention to detail is amazing. Her blog is so educational and fun to read.
Here are some picture. 
      
These are still on the loom, I can’t wait to wet finish. The picture on the left is the corner. I'm going to sew crystal’s in the middle of the four diamond (larger) shapes.
Here are some action shots…
       
Notice the  bracelet I have on in the picture… it is suppose to help with balance. I don’t know if it really works, but I have convinced myself that it does. 
Here is a picture of Louie all loaded up. You know the cloth beam is sandpaper… it really irritates my arms, so I cover them with old towels. Besides that, I really like how it keeps my warp straight and helps keep down the draw-in a little bit.
 
Once I get them all wet finished and put all the purls and crystals on, I will post more pictures.

OK, here is the table runners all wet finished and ready to go!

 

In the corners I sewed purl-ized (new word for dictionary) crystals, then I sewed glass beads around them.

 

I am very happy with the way they turned out.

Network circles 10/2 Tencel dyed with Indigo crystals

Way back a couple of months ago, you may recall that I dyed a bunch of tencel with indigo crystals. I got to tell you that Indigo crystals dyes Tencel beautifully. Very rich color. I only let it bath for about 20 min, one time and it came out a very pretty color and oh so soft. 

                                                                                                                         Now it was time to fire up Louie, So me and my Vertigo head, walked a crooked line to back of the Loom and loaded him up. I don’t know what I was thinking  “Network Circles/Vertigo” My eye’s where feeling all kind of crazy. But I “adapted” (doing quotation jester) as that is what my PT says I need to do. I have never done Network anything so, this was going to be a learning experience. Here are some pictures while in process.

                                                                                             

      VERTIGO                        

                                                                                                  

 NO  VERTIGO                        

Just Kidding! I needed to blame my bad picture taking on something hehehehehehe! Along with the two Network circle scarf's, I also made two scarf’s using a crackle structure. They came out pretty. I must have forgotten to take a picture of them. I will post some later.

Well, It Is Time To Get Back To Work!

Today I put 12.5 yards of Tencel (8/2) on my AVL. I am going to make 4 Table runners, 2 will be Wedding presents and the other two I will stash away for future present giving. I'm going to use a structure I have used before with a few changes. This time I am going to make squares of the design followed by 10 rows of plain weave followed by a narrow band of a flower looking design that I am going to sew pearls on the center of each flower, then repeat... Then I plan on finishing them with the same purls as well as crystal beads on the fringe. Sounds pretty huh! I still walk like I have been to a great party, but Im starting to feel a little better. I WILL BEAT THIS!!! no pun intended. hehehehehehe! I will post pictures soon.

Perfume makes everything better!

Wow, it seems like forever since my last post. Right after my last post, the Doctors at the wound care center tested me to see if I had an infection… I did so they ordered Kelphlex  for me errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt, Im allergic! I asked the Doctor what she wanted me to take and she said nothing it was not that bad. HUMM! Okay, Im not a Doctor. That next appointment they told me that they where going to put a aplegraft on my ankle and it should heal in a matter of weeks which would be great since I have had these 2 wounds for going on 4 years. Within a few days I began to smell a odor coming from under the wrap they put on my leg. When I went in for my midweek appointment I told them that I have never had this kind of odor coming from my leg before. They told me that I was being hyper sensitive (urgh) wrapped it up and sent me on my way. By Thursday the smell was so back I couldn't stand it. I went in for my end of the week appointment and they took the wrap off and the wound was fire red around the outside and black on the inside. I felt so sick! I told them that this is wrong, and they again wrapped me up and tried to send me on my way stating it was normal for it to look and smell like this. I wouldn't leave without the Doctor taking a look. When he got a look at it, I could see that he was some what shocked. He told me to come back and have the infectious disease doctor look at it. He took a culture and I returned the next day! The next day I was scheduled to have a pic line put in and was admitted to the hospital. This was on July 30th….. MY BIRTHDAY!!!! So I get to the hospital and they don’t have the orders to get me admitted so I wait for 3 hours in the Lobby. By the time I get to my room and they set me up in Isolation, I have not had a bite to eat so I ask the Nurse for food and she gave me a slice of bread and a packet of grape jelly. Happy Birthday to me! Ok so 3 days later Im out of the hospital and I have to go get infusions everyday for 14 days. The antibiotics made me tired and sick. I felt so dizzy all the time. So, I go everyday like Im suppose to and then go home and sleep, it just kicked my ass. About day8 Im starting to feel like Im being poisoned,I hate meds, but I feel really bad. I tell anyone who will listen that I feel really dizzy. The Doctor asked me if my ears where ringing and I said NO. He said that it is normal to feel off with the amount of meds that I am getting. After a week off of the meds I am more dizzy then before and I can’t walk a straight line and If I turn my head to fast I throw up. I go to my PCP and he test my eye’s and send me to a PT. I found out that I have Ototoxcity.
WHAT THE HECK!!!!! Vertigo, not the kind you get PT once or twice and then your ok, No, the kind that you have to retrain your brain because the antibiotics fried my inner ear. OMG!!!  Ok so I was pist for at least 8 hours. I thought that I would go home and try to weave. I could not get my rhythm, I couldn’t stand to watch the shuttle go back and fourth, it made me dizzy. I cried. I started doing the exercises and they helped a little bit.
The one thing about me is I adapt very well. I have been sick most of my adult life, but if you saw me you would never know it. I look healthy and most of the time I can make myself feel really good. Im so blessed with family and  friends that love me and Im so lucky to be able to have horses and dogs and a cat and my looms. So I have decided that it was time for one of those healing spurts. When ever I was in the hospital, I always made sure I had nice smelling perfume and lotion, Jessica McClintock is my fav. I would take a shower and put on my perfume and close my eyes and everything  was ok, at least I could smell like it was. So I bought a bottle of my favorite Perfume (I was out) and sprayed it on and decided that I was going to sit at my loom and work past the dizziness until I got my rhythm back. It took 4 hours but I got it back. Im a lot slower but at least it is a start. I went to PT today and she was amazed at how well Im doing and asked me what I was doing to make such progress. I told her I was weaving and I bought some perfume. She said she could understand how the weaving would work but perfume?? I can’t explain it, but for me… Perfume makes everything better! 

First projects on the New to me AVL.

Im sorry it has taken me so long to post but I have been having some issues with my leg. I recently had to have a wound vac and then I became allergic to the band aide  so we couldn’t use that. Than last week they did a skin graft on me. I hope this works. I will get another graft in 2 weeks.Ok enough of that!

So any way, I put a couple of warps on to practice on the AVL. I needed to adjust the tension and the auto advance cloth arm. I don’t know how many of you have AVL’s but my arms are raw from the sandpaper beam. I finally got smart and covered it, but looking on the bright side, I won’t have to exfoliate my forearm and elbows for awhile hahahahaha! Also, It is quite a workout lifting all those shafts. I found my rhythm though and I zoned out listening to the music me and my loom was making. Also again, I have given my AVL a name, as I name everything. I decided on Louie. I was searching for a girl name but Louie just seems right. So from this day forward I will address my AVL as LOUIE.

Here is the first project. It is a lace heart scarf. I got the draft from www.Handweaving.net . I wanted to use all of Louie’s 16 shaft so I thought this would be a good little start.

I made it with Walmart #10 cotton. I knew I was going to have tension issues as well as adjusting that arm so I didn’t want to use my 10/2 tencel.

Here is a close up

 

Not perfect, but at least I got most the bugs out.

Here is the next project. I used 10/2 tencel and 10/2 perle cotton

You can see I was still not comfortable with the tension. It got better as I went. I ended up with a nice scarf. Next, wet finish  and then I will post pictures.

Today, I counted out 6000, yards of tencel to dye for my next projects on Louie. I dyed some of it in the indigo crystal batch I had from a couple of weeks ago and the rest I dyed fire red. Im going to do a crackle and network draft from the indigo and white. With the Fire Red, a cute draft of square outlines all bunched together.

I still have not found just the right draft for the Ikat I dyed a couple of weeks ago, but I will persevere. 

Well that is it for now, I want to thank all of you who come to visit. I enjoy seeing where you come from. I would love to hear from you if you would like to say hi or give me some comments on some of these projects I do. The counter I use tells me what state, city, and country you come from and if you have visited before. It is so fun to see that little ol me has a visitor from the Netherlands or Israel or some other wonderful country. I have lots of visitors from Canada, I was so lucky to have visited this beautiful country.   Just today I had visitors from Norway, Canada, Netherlands, Redondo Beach CA, and San Diego CA  just to mention a few. Wow, weavers are everywhere! I look forward to hearing from you!

Time to Dye the Shibori Scarf's, This could be really cool or really ugly!

The Idea I had for the Zebra Shibori scarf was to take pictures of Nemo and then use sections of his stripes in a sort of picture  frame. So I took the pictures and made the stencils. Then I wanted to paint the scarf with dye using the colors of the Kenya (that is where Nemo is from) sky at sunset.

Theses are the pictures I found:

And here is the other one:

I used wax in a sort of Batik method to keep the White-White and to frame the stripes. I just put the dye on, it hasn’t been rinsed yet.

Up a little closer

 

The next step, I will gather the shibori threads and then I am going to use a thicken bleach discharge (which I have never done before). After all that is done I am going to dye the black stripes. This is sooooooo Hard to do. The problem I have ran into (yes I have done this same thing 3 other times ugh!) is the black dye takes about 200 hundred years to rinse out and it runs like you would not believe. I have made a widget that I will put in the bathtub to lay the scarf on to keep it flat so it wont run.   But, just to be on the safe side…I am going to apply wax around the box to keep the black away from the yellow and pink. Please keep your fingers crossed for me. Im running out of time for the Art Show. This is my last chance to get this right.

Here is Nemo one more time…

  

if you look real close to the scarf, you can see the out line of Nemo’s eye, it is up side-down looking at it here… turn your head a little and I think you can see it. Here , I will turn it a little bit… that better?

Where you see white ,I will be dyeing it black. The darker color you see in the picture is the wax.

The next scarf is a Giraffe motif. No I don’t know any Giraffe’s… just a Zebra hehehehehehe!

 

I made this stencil to put at each end but I’ve decided not to use it. Im going to make a little group of Giraffe’s.

Here is the stencil I made of the pattern on a Giraffe.

Here is what it looks like right after I paint the dye on

Im going to do the same discharge method as the Zebra, except I might try just randomly applying the discharge to the shibori pleats and see how it turns out. But maybe not… it is very scary!  Well that's it for now. Tomorrow I will do the next step! See you tomorrow :)