Weaving Innovations Collection

Our March meeting of weavers opened a 'can of worms' when we began to discuss our next topic of study for 2016-17.  There was interest in Bateman Weaves and Echo and Iris Weaves--we were divided--what should it be?

"Dr. William G. Bateman left a legacy of manuscripts he wrote while exploring new weave structures/systems in his retirement years. After his death, his daughter recognized the importance of his work. Virginia Harvey took on the task of publishing his work which resulted in six monographs published in the 1980 s by the Shuttle Craft Guild. This work remains largely unknown or unexplored in the weaving world, and CW has heretofore not had a study group devoted to the Bateman Weaves. Linda Davis and Wanda Shelp formed the Bateman Weaves Study Group in 2010 as co-leaders. The group began in 2011 with Monograph Thirty Seven, Park Weaves, and has subsequently studied all additional five monographs. We have determined sufficient interest to continue with the group at least through 2016 where we will begin again with Park Weaves."  complex weavers  

 Marian Stubenitsky is the author of this fascinating book.  A new book of weaving, explaining many different weaves that can be made in echo- or parallel threading. A unique project, never before published as a book.  Our own shop owner, Tracy, had been corresponding with Marian regarding this weave structure.  Tracy wanted to have some samples on hand for her booth at Convergence.  Marian doesn't sell her pieces but she found other weavers in her area that would supply Tracy with wovens.  The following are the scarves that Tracy received...................What do you think?

Echo and Iris weaving

Sesame Street Moment

Did you watch Sesame Street with your kids?  Or maybe, you just liked to watch it yourself.

Remember, the game--which one of these are not like the other?

Well, I have this problem with my blocks

I'm pressing away on my 20 red center blocks and 30 gold center blocks,

When I come to this block--something didn't look right...........

no kidding--The upper right side is wrong!

WRONG!

Do the frog thing--rip it, rip it, rip it............

Weavers' March

It was another great Weavers' meeting--a perfect way to begin our March.

When it's time for show & tell--we are all ears and eyes

on the presentations.

I think this is the best way to learn from each other.

Rosemary had been absent for awhile, but when she returns

she has the most interesting things to show off

Here is her summer challenge for state project.

Spun corn silk!  Yes, the silks that wrap corn on the cob!

She had a gourd that she lined with fiber pieces and crouched with

pine needles

Rustic--she polished with brown shoe polish

We have seen this in progress--eco dyed wool squares

but she has assembled them into a wonderful cloth

And an interesting way to dye--turkey cloth!

oh yes, Rosemary comes up with clever ways to challenge our

imagination--this was the cloth draped over the Thanksgiving turkey

as she basted the turkey throughout the day--

who would have thought you could get this!

Susan had finished knitting this soft and lovely shawl for a friend;

before she sent it off, we were able to see and handle

pattern is Nurmilintu by Heidi Alander

This is a free pattern on Ravelry.

Marion had woven shawl to present--some design elements--she asked how to

use these 'mistakes' to her benefit--we had many suggestions for her.

I actually liked the 'design element' left as is.

Scharine had an exciting show & tell.

She has just returned from Jordan and

she had many weavings from her trip to

tell us about

This was a lease stick made for her while there.

She doesn't know much about the holes or notches due

to communication problem

Very interesting indeed

Her purchased rug--is not woven but twined!  Oh joy!

Twining!  She tried this technique and said it wasn't for her--

or me!

We've had some discussion about tea towels since our February meeting

when we had so many wonderful towels to investigate from Charlene's 

(check out February post)

Connie decided to weave the structure with the draft she had from

Small Webs Book--out of print.

Okay, Charlene--you have us excited about our weaving once again!

 

Here was Connie's draft--

Jana's Hat

Jana's Hat is the perfect vehicle to use up all those small bits of sock yarn.  I'm a real sucker for this type of pattern.  I've knit a standard hat pattern (Gap Hat--August-Sept, 2011) but it's always nice to have a different technique to use in knitting these hats.  So, check out Hedgehog Fibers website to find this free pattern.

I also found this She Makes Hats Blog--okay, I do think  we are on a hat binge again!

Plume Panel

by Kali Berg  

check for this one on Ravelry

Okay, until next time--keep those needles clicking!

Helix Knitting

I didn't know what Helix Knitting was until...............

I found this on Youtube.

There is always something new to learn each and

every day.

Quilt a Block by Debby Kratovil

The link below will take you to my FREE Craftsy pages where you can download the pattern. This is the only way I will offer this. And as was true with the 2015 Galaxy of Stars BOM, I request that you DO NOT make copies for your friends. Ask them to get it from these links. The ONLY exception I make is for those people who DO NOT have access to a printer or internet. Thanks for understanding.

Here is the link for the Prairie Flower quilt pattern with attached newsletter.

And you can see ALL of the 366 blocks in the calendar here: Block a Day Calendar

March Solid Sock KAL

Toe up sock Knit Along for March--designed by Mary Hough--sea creatures!  I've got the perfect solid color for these socks.  Check out Solid Socks Group on Ravelry for the pattern update.

It is based on a sea creature - Micromitra burgessensis - A brachiopod with long, slender spines extending from the shell margin.

It’s a cable and lace stitch pattern in 3 sizes. Small (54 stitch foot, 56 stitch leg), Medium (62 stitch foot, 64 stitch leg) and Large (70 stitch foot, 68 stitch leg).

From These Hands

Alright!  I'm just a few weeks behind on the 2015 Advent Scarf that began on December 1--

but, these hands finally (!) added the finishing details to this lace and cable scarf, designed by Tricia Weatherston.  It was an interesting knit and I enjoyed it very much.

Only 20 rows a day sounds like easy peasy, but in my world, nothing has been quick and easy lately.

I used a handspun cotton/cashmere blend

Love the feel of this!

Nice and long wrap around the scarf

I'm proud to say--"From These Hands" came this 2015 Advent scarf!

Leap Year!

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo,
we'll just leap over this day.
See you in March!

More Ways To Be Creative!!!!

Okay, I must admit, I want to be creative!  Yes, I've written about it--I think about it--I gather supplies to be creative--and then..........................nothing!
I've been reading "Art Before Breakfast".  The first day of lessons began on a Monday and I was reading it on Wednesday---so, I must wait till a Monday to begin!  Oh, yeah, RIGHT!
Then, here comes another opportunity to be creative and I join....................
check it out--it's free!  Yes, free--workshops.  Hope to see you along the road to creativity!

Workshop 1: Sketchbook Fury - The Art Ninja's Guidebook
Instructor: Graham Smith
Start Date: March 7, 2016

Workshop 2: The Mind of Watercolor
Instructor: Steve Mitchell
Start Date: May 6, 2016

Workshop 3: Colorful Creations with Markers
Instructor: Will Terrell
Start Date: September 5, 2016

Learn techniques from experienced artists through online videos and downloadable instructions. Get inspired by other students in our virtual classroom. Keep motivated with ideas and tips from your instructors. Share all the fun on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using #StrathmoreWorkshops

2015 Bonnie Mystery Tag Along

I'm tagging along on this mystery--printed off the clues as they appeared on Bonnie Hunter's website

in November.  I did some of the clues right off and others just had to wait

This clue is several steps combined and I'm finally ready to assemble

the block

I like the looks of this block very much--I'm using an assembly line to work.

Sew a few together and then you can sew the whole block

and these wait till I finish with the top block.  Funny thing, see those 1/2 quarter triangle squares?

That was the first thing I made way back when--295 of them!  Well, when it came time to

put this block together, I saw that the clue read "take your 1/2 quarter squares and sew together"

and I thought "Oh, no--I have to make 1/2 square triangle blocks!"

Once, I calmed down--I remembered I'd already made those blocks!

Whew!  My mind isn't what it used to be when I was 30...............

Just A Few Scraps..............................

Yes!  All from my scrap bin of fabrics.  I promised myself I wouldn't buy any fabric,

cut from any fabric--just use the scraps from the messy scrap bin.

Some folks are great at keeping their scraps in order--strips in one pile, 2" pieces

in another pile, 2.5" here, and so on and so on..

but...........

for me, it's all in the big bin and then I have to dig and dig

throw them on the floor, sort, press and I do it every time I

want something from the scrap bin!  

Oh, well, I see lots of interesting pieces when I do it this way!

This "oddment" top came from Facebook group, led by 

Gyleen X. Fitzgerald of Colourful Stitches, LLC.

The group is called Bricks, Cobblestones and Pebbles--an interesting way to build a quilt.

Jack of Hearts KAL

Ahhhh, a mystery!  I love mysteries, as everyone knows and this one also parallels one of my favorite cozy cable series--When Calls The Heart--such a nice show to watch while sewing or baking.  I'm in on this one--I think I can knit while watching--

When Calls the Heart MKAL 2016 hosted by the Alaskan Yarn Co.

Does your heart swoon over Jack & Elizabeth’s romance on When Calls the Heart, like we do? Will Lee and Rosemary get serious this season? What does the future hold for Pastor Hogan?

So much could unfold in Season 3! How much more fun would it be to watch, and knit with a bunch of hearties in a mystery knit-along!

Don’t wait! Purchase your kit here: Jack of Hearts MKAL Kit

Find all the details for the Free MKAL at www.knittystash.com and join our When Calls the Heart MKAL Ravelry group! WCTH

The final complete pattern will be unveiled and available for purchase at the end of Season 3!

For more information, see: Knitty Stash

Combination Knitting

Combination knitting?  Is there such a thing?  Why, Yes, most definitely!  Sometimes, I think I'm in my own little world and not many times do I venture outside my knitting 'comfort' zone.  The other day, at our spinner's meeting (we weren't spinning, by the way!) we were discussing knitting stitches and techniques.  Several of the gals were knitting on their current projects--I had none--what a great time to sit and listen, ask questions and broaden my knitting world!

I made many notes--then I took the time to look up all these techniques:  Russian:

How About Portuguese knitting?

I found the absolute best discussion of various methods of knitting on

The Dude Who Knits blog.

My spinning meeting turned into a very productive knitting meeting!

and I learned something new and different!

See, you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Points of View QAL

Just Quiltin' 

has a great quilt along!

check it out.

I'm thinking--another great quilt from the stash!

Genius Hacks For Quilters

Hacks for Quilters?!  I'm all in!

Such great suggestions from experts, how 

could you go wrong?

check it out.............I like the idea of glue on binding,

and the Magic 8 to make half-square triangles!

Anything to make our work easier and quicker!

Spin, Span, Spun!

I'm totally having a super time with this fiber.

Where has it been all these days?

I recently cleaned up my fiber closet and it's strange

the interesting things you find hiding in the 

nooks and crannies....

like this fiber!

It's a fleece I bought--who knows how many years ago--

and dyed it in the grease, as I do most of my hot off

the hoof wools.

Why I hadn't spun it before is beyond me--

such a lovely fiber; soft, pleasing to spin

and I absolutely love the colors that the dyes

gave it.

Such a multitude of colors all in one fleece

Does it not look--spinable?

trust me, it's spinning up nicely.

On the other hand, I have this luscious bombyx silk that I purchased

sometime ago from Rivers Edge Fiber Arts

I'm loving this fiber too!  I spin some silk; I spin some wool.

And I'm in a happy place!

Do You Love Color?!!

Are you obsessed with color as much as I am?!

This article popped up and I laughed.............

oh my gosh,

this is so ME!

I

This is so true--

and these photos on this website are

so --well--colorful!

I am so excited to get new colored pencils, crayons or pens.

As I said in a previous post, we are remodeling the house--

that is so much fun (!) and making decisions

about paint color--oh MY Gosh!

How do I decide?  I've gathered so many paint chips and paint books--

it's exciting to see all these colors

maybe, I think I'm totally obsessed with color!!

BLOOM!

It's beginning to look like Spring!

And there will be

Blooms!

So, I was delighted to find this interesting QAL

sponsored by Lori Holt, with  Riley Blake Designs

I decided to order Lori's simple shapes for applique.  She has great tutorials

on her website for each block.  Let's get to planting those fabrics to 

BLOOM!

Creativity----But, I'm Busy!

• Read:  Art Before Breakfast by Danny Gregory
• Begin Working Art Projects via Daisy Yellow Art collection
• Stop Procrastinating! 
• Get away from distractions (aka do creative things when away from home).
• Commit to a ‘project’
• Do the smallest thing. 
• Schedule some creative down time with friends. 
• Make time for workshops or retreats.  
• Thanks Jade Herriman for the motivation!

Okay, here I go--I'm leaping right into creativity!! 

Cabin Crochet--Inland Waterways

About 20 years ago, as I was attending Houston International Quilt Festival, I spotted a note pinned to the lobby bulletin board.  It said, "Wanted:  Pen Pal"  The address was England.  I left the note

on the board for the whole weekend.  When I came back on the last day of the festival, the note was still pinned--so, I took it down to bring home.

Thus, began several years of letter writing with a stranger in a far off land.

What is a Pen Pal, you say?

in these days of instant gratification and instant messaging, the art of letter writing has gone by the way side.  But, 20 years ago, it was a good thing to do and I loved writing letters.

It only cost a few cents to mail a letter, but a world of friendship developed.

we exchanged information about our family and friends,

about our surrounding area, our daily activities became writing material.

We also exchanged small gifts about fiber techniques

and these two booklets were ones that Joan sent me. 

We both had a love of crochet and knitting, as well as quilting. 

I found these books fascinating!  What lovely ways to decorate your

boat--a single hook and some thread gave the windows a homey

look and feel.

Crochet lace was introduced to British women in mid-19th century.  The boat women took a copy of

netted and darned lace, filet, as one of their styles of decorating their boats.  The true Filet lace consists of hand knotted net; taking this work into Filet Crochet, which allowed any design, floral, pictorial, letters, etc, to be worked with a hook and thread.

Here is a photo of one of the canal boats--alas, Joan couldn't find any photos of the crochet work

that fancied the windows.  She did find the two booklets though.

Over the years, we slowly drifted apart, much like the boats on the canals.  

I re-read her letters and fancy she's enjoying another walk along the canal; 

or she's stitching another jumper for maybe a great grand baby.

I miss my pen pal--today, it would be so easy to chat with her

through the internet, but there is nothing like opening a hand written letter.