Warp Weighted Looms

Sometimes, my brain goes into overload--I love the history of fabric--

how did it happen?  When did it happen?  Who was the person to come

up with the warp and weft of weaving?  Most don't stop to think--

just how did we get from zero to here?

When I do demos on weaving or spinning, I remind folks that

all our fabric came from a single thread!  Yes, a single thread became

a towel, a sheet, a piece of clothing, yes, even your underwear!

But, in ancient times, how were those clothing items woven?

Here is one of the most primitive ways you could make a loom-

a rock weighted loom!  Fascinating isn't it!!?

The Warp-Weighted Loom I Oppstadveven I Kljásteinavefstaður is a new

book written and researched by Hildur Hákonardóttir, Elizabeth Johnston and Marta Kløve Juuhl 

They worked for six years to contribute to this interdisciplinary book about the North Atlantic Cultural Heritage, represented by the Warp-Weighted Loom.  

The result is a story in three parts; the Loom History in Iceland, Shetland and Norway; an exceptional Practical Handbook which also shows the strong connection between science and good practical handicraft, and the textile findings from prehistoric and historic times.

Main text is in English and important recipes also in Icelandic and Norwegian.

Maggie Forest and Silvia Ravinet  wrote an interesting modern day account of their 

research into this weaving technique and maybe one of the first looms used.

Reading their experiment makes me very happy that others have tried this method

and we now have fancy easy to use looms!

The warp-weighted loom is a simple and ancient form of loom in which the warp yarns hang freely from a bar supported by upright poles which can be placed at a convenient slant against a wall. Bundles of warp threads are tied to hanging weights called loom weights which keep the threads taut.^[1] Evidence of the warp-weighted loom appears in the Neolithic period in central Europe. It is depicted in artifacts of Bronze Age Greece and was common throughout Europe, remaining in use in Scandinavia into modern times. Loom weights from the Bronze Age were excavated in Miletos, Greece.^[2]

At Least---One Finish--Well, Almost!

This quilt is back from the quilters and she did a remarkable job on

the quilting!  I'm really happy with the results.  And Yes, it is finished in

one sense of the word--it's back from the quilters and the binding is on, but.........

It will be awhile before I sit to sew down the binding, which I usually do by hand

there are about four other quilts waiting for their binding to be stitched down.  Now, there 

are alternates to stitching by hand-- Here is a tutorial 

One of my friends sews the binding on the BACK and brings it to the front

to stitch by machine--she does all her quilt bindings this way.

To each their own method.  I prefer to sit and pat my quilt as I stitch--

This quilt is 2014 BOM 2014 - A-Z with Ewe and Me!

It only took me two years to finish--well, almost finished!

For Baby's Warmth

When I make baby receiving blankets, I will buy 1.5 yds of snuggle flannel--

it also takes 1.5 yds for the back.  Usually, the blankets will take only the width of the fabric=

1.25 or 45" wide.  After the flannel has been washed, it will shrink slightly, which

gives me at least .25 yd left for other purposes.  Recently, I took all those quarter

yards and cut them into 6" squares.  I left them for decisions later.

When I heard that a local charity needed receiving blankets for newborn babies,

I knew there was an opportunity to use those squares so I sewed them into a

nine patch--some I coordinated

Then I cut the squares into quarters or did nine patch disappearing block

I tried to place the blocks so there were not many match ups--this will be a

nice size blanket

Here's a good video on that step.

Doesn't matter where the colors hit--love using my 'leftover' fabric

to be creative for a great purpose!

I had this large piece of pink and decided to border it with the 6" squares

I might add more once my order of flannel arrives this week.

There is still some handwork to be done on these but I know that

a baby will enjoy the warmth of my sewing.

History of Color

Have you ever wondered how color came to be?  The history of color/pigments is fascinating--how did an artist know how to reproduce a color needed for artwork?

The website, Artsy, has an article, The Art Genome by Sarah Gottesman, that gives a brief insight into the history of color.

Red ochre is one of the oldest pigments still in use--can you believe?!  

Lapis Lazuli or Blue is worth more than gold!  

Joseph Turner used the experimental watercolor Indian Yellow—a fluorescent paint derived from the urine of mango-fed cows.  

Green pigments have been some of the most poisonous in history.  

The Impressionists—especially Monet—so adored the new hue that critics accused the painters of having “violettomania.”

The darkest pigment of the Old Masters, “bone black” is produced by burning animal bones in an air-free chamber.

Of all the pigments that have been banned over the centuries, the color most missed by painters is likely Lead White.

Give this article a read--great information here--especially if you enjoy color and art history!

Horus Shawl--Can We Say Scrumptious!

Horus Shawl designed by Pink Brutus looks to be a challenge,

but if you like challenges, jump right in as this one looks lovely!

Notes Worked from the top down for center section, then working each side separately using short rows to create wings.  Ears of Grass Lace will not repeat fully between each point of moving markers, simply continue in pattern.

Yarn DK (#3 Light); Shown: Rowan, Felted Tweed (50% Merino Wool, 25% Alpaca, 25% Viscose; 191 yds/50g): Color 157 Camel about 7-8 balls. - However, yarn isn't particularly important for this pattern.  A lighter weight will produce a smaller shawl and a heavier weight will produce a larger shawl.

Needles US6 (4mm) 21" cir for working a large number of sts; Gauge 5.5 sts & 7.5 rows = 1" St st worked flat.

Color Plus

Brightside website offers an insight into color wheel:  I have many books on color and it is still confusing at times.  Isn't color subjective?

Scheme № 1: A complementary combination

Scheme № 2: The triad — a combination of three colors

Scheme № 3: An analogous combination

Scheme № 4: The split complementary combination

Scheme № 5: The tetrad — a combination of four colors

Scheme № 6: The square

Combinations of individual colours--rules that can be obeyed--but, I'm of the mind set--rules are meant to be broken!

Let's Practise Colorwork!

Our November 2016 monthly KAL is the

Quick Ombré Hat pattern by Emily Dormier ( a free Ravelry pattern)

The pattern only shows one size, but you can use this as a working basis:
Baby (Child, Adult S, L)
To fit 16 (18, 21, 23)” head
Cast on 76 (84, 96, 108) sts
CAUTION. This only works if you use smaller needles to knit the ribbing before changing to the pattern needles.

Start date = Nov 1, 2016 and of course, I'm a day late to begin this!

You’ll be able to practise colorwork and knitting in the round.
Don’t be afraid to try,

Here are a few tutorials to help you:
Stretchy cast-on



Knitting in the round