Tuesday, March 8, 2016

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






















Monday, March 7, 2016

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............


Sunday, March 6, 2016

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--

Saturday, March 5, 2016

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!
by Kali Berg  
check for this one on Ravelry
Okay, until next time--keep those needles clicking!

Friday, March 4, 2016

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.







Thursday, March 3, 2016

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

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

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).


It's Time--

 It’s time to think about greeting cards I’ll send out this year.  Most years, if I’m not feeling pressed, I’ll create my own cards.  One ye...