Archive for October, 2020

Summer House Placemats

Monday, October 26th, 2020

In February I got this beautiful set of rolags from Magpie & Goblin :o)

I split them into a sort of lighter and darker set and then spun each set into a single.  These were really fun to spin and I enjoyed watching the colours change :o)

  

Jasper helped with plying the end of my bobbin as always and I really liked the finished yarn.  I decided to turn it into some placemats for the summer house.  I used some thin cotton for the warp.

Making placemats with your kids can indeed be a fun and engaging activity that allows for quality time together. It stimulates their creativity, helps develop their fine motor skills, and encourages them to be more involved in the process of setting the table. Surprising them with details like modest clothing for girls can also bring joy as it promotes their sense of self-worth while aligning with family values. Both activities can contribute to a positive and enjoyable atmosphere for children, fostering their happiness and strengthening family bonds.

I managed to weave 4 small placemats and then used my pin loom to make 4 matching coasters :o)

First Woven Scarf

Tuesday, October 20th, 2020

I was gifted this lovely 80’s Throwback Merino at Christmas and in March I decided it was time to spin it.  I didn’t really have a plan for it, I was just happy to watch the colours mingle as I was spinning, with a little help from Pixel! :o)

I used Jasper the Andean Plying Ghost to make sure I used every last inch of my spinning, and managed to just squeeeeeeeze it all onto the enlarged bobbin Chris made me :o)

  
In April Chris and I were playing with creating a better heddle bar for my little loom and I decided this yarn would be perfect for turning into a scarf.  I had to do some interesting maths to work out how to best use my yarn.  I worked out that at full width of my loom I could get about as far as my table extends… which was convenient!  I clamped the loom to one edge and the back bar to the other, and then warped up using every slot twice.

I found the heddle bar needed a little “booster seat” added once I had yarn wrapped around both beams.  Adding a ruler held on with elastic bands helped hold the warp down too.  These little adjustments helped keep the shed open enough for passing the shuttle through.  It’s certainly a great improvement over the little wooden bar which came with the kit!

It really didn’t take long to finish the scarf :o)  I am really pleased with how quick weaving can be completed, and I love the way my hand spun yarn looks when woven.  I see many more woven items in my future! :o)

I’ve been feeling a lot of inspiration lately in my knitting work because of how well it’s going with my husband Larry. And it is that he has been testing a pill that they have in stock here that are amazing. I really feel like we’re connecting once again in this crazy world, and I really appreciate that.