A Taste of Weaving at Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins

If you haven't been to Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins in Boulder, Colorado, then you need to experience it. This is probably the most extensive yarn shop I've ever been in.  I'm pretty much getting used to being around a huge amount of yarn without spazzing out--but this store has so many looms, spinning wheels, and books! A person could move in there and not get bored for months.
This weekend, my mom and I were immersed in a weekend weaving class taught by Judy at Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins.  Even though we had already learned the basics of how to warp a loom, there was still a large amount of information to absorb from Judy. We wanted to know how to do the calculations correctly, how to read the pattern charts, how to set up our looms for more complex weaves, and how to fix mistakes! Judy planned this course to maximize our learning within a short period of time--we even had a homework assignment on Saturday night.

Judy, our fearless leader

The first day of class was a step-by-step on how to warp the loom, then weave a small sampler piece. Judy broke down the process into a bunch of small, manageable steps which she would first demonstrate, then let the students loose to complete on our own looms. Time went by very quickly during the class because we were constantly progressing to new and different things. We learned a few different methods of finishing a woven piece.

A few of our samplers from Day 1

Our mission for the second day of the class was to plan and finish an entire weaving project. We Nebraskans needed to bring our projects home at the end of the day so I made a sampler of "mug rugs", or coasters. This was a great way to practice reading simple charts, weaving several different patterns, and hemstitching multiple edges.

Twill in progress. . . I think 'twill be a nice project.

I couldn't help but marvel at Judy's teaching ability. I was actually reminded of watching my brother teach kayaking on a swift-current river. It really takes a lot of patience to cater to each person's needs and skill level, and remain upbeat and encouraging when things get messy or frustrating. Some students in the class chose more complex projects that they could come back and finish throughout the week.

Julia's cotton placemat piece

Marian working on her piece

Roger weaving away



This class was a wonderful experience--it was a great mother-daughter weekend, plus we now have the foundation needed to take off with weaving. There's nothing more invigorating than learning.

My mug rugs before and after felting

Mom's mug rugs and bookmark--made with Pearl Cotton

Weaving Frenzy

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of being really, frantically excited about weaving. It all started when my husband, who truly never fails to surprise me, walked into the house with a colorful little coaster he had just made on the Zoom Loom. Although I know that he can knit and make things, he tends to be more focused on other activities like hunting, so I was delighted to see this colorful little yarn creation. Within the evening he had made a set of these fulled (lightly felted) coasters.

The yarn is a unique handpaint in Nature Spun Fingering

The coaster after fulling by hand with a dish scrubber

Then, my 25th birthday happened--I now possess a beautiful Wolf Pup LT, the 4-shaft, 18" wide, foldable floor loom from Schacht. Andrew and I took a quick road trip up to Boulder and saw the impressive facility where Schacht looms and spinning wheels are made.

Andrew quickly warped up a Cricket loom that we had in the mill, then helped me figure out how to warp my Wolf Pup along with help from Peggy Jo. I decided to try a simple plaid in some of my favorite Nature Spun colors.

I can already tell that weaving will be very satisfying for a math nerd such as myself

Andrew's and my finished pieces

My first woven piece. Although the edges have room for improvement, I am happy with how it turned out.

This weekend, my mom came up to visit and pick up her birthday gift, also a Wolf Pup LT. It's clear that weaving is an addiction we will both share. We were basically entranced by the process of warping her loom in a Log Cabin pattern using Cotton Fleece.

Can you believe this is her first ever weaving project?! I should give some credit to Elizabeth Wagner's YouTube videos for helping us out.
 



Log Cabin close-up. The idea comes from Simple Woven Scarves by Jane Patrick and Stephanie Flynn Sokolov.

It's true that the only thing weaving and knitting have in common is the use of yarn. I think weaving appeals to my husband, and guys in general, more than knitting because of its mechanical nature. There is certainly a learning curve to weaving but I'm feeling plenty of enthusiasm to hurdle it.

Highlights from TNNA Summer Tradeshow

The National NeedleArts Tradeshow is a gathering of all sorts of producers and distributors of yarn-related products. This year the summer show was held in Columbus, Ohio at a convention center that was simultaneously hosting a Haunted House convention. Needless to say, we got used to seeing zombies, goblins, and other haunted creatures creeping around the hotel.
The most glorious part of the city was Columbus's North Market: a wonderland of delicious smells, selling everything from fried chicken to Indian food to elaborate freshly made doughnuts.

Some highlights of the show floor:

GIANT yarn ball from Colinette

Our booth, of course

Amazing needle and wet felted T-Rex from Wool Buddy



An adorable sheep rug crocheted in Brown Sheep yarn

It's contagious to be around a group of people who are really excited about knitting, crocheting, weaving, and spinning. Of course I came back with renewed enthusiasm and ideas (and some new yarn).

We featured the Storm Cloud Tee in our booth--look for it in Midwestern Knits

As far as "work" trips go, I really can't complain. Maybe it could eventually get old but it's hard to imagine. I'm fascinated by all the colors and textures at a yarn show. Not to mention, people who have made their career in the fiber arts tend to be fun and interesting individuals.
It was great to meet some local yarn shop owners and connect with others in the yarn industry. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth!

A Spring Sweater

Here in Nebraska, it doesn't quite feel like spring yet. We've had two snow storms in May. . . but it will get warm and sunny soon, right?
For many people, knitting is a fall and winter activity. But for some of us, the yarn obsession carries over into all four seasons. It can be hard to find a project that's appealing to work on (and wear) in warm weather. Non-fuzzy yarn such as cotton is a must for spring/summer knitting. Here's a lovely spring sweater knit in Cotton Fine by my mom. (I'm tempted to "steal" this sweater like I often do with her knitting projects!)

If you're not familiar with Cotton Fine, it's a fingering-weight blend of 15% wool and 85% cotton. Did you know it's available in 1000 yard cones?!

Not only is the fiber nice to wear, lace work gives this sweater an airy, light feel. The pattern is called India Print Henley by Ann Hanson. It can be found in The Knitter's Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters by Ann Budd.

Beautiful!

May you be inspired to keep your knitting needles busy this summer. :)

Scandinavian Band Weaving

Learning to weave has been on my bucket list for a long time--since way before I ever imagined I would live right next to a yarn factory. A small band weaving project seemed like a good way to dip my toes in to weaving. Especially since Nancy Shroyer, a fantastic teacher, was offering a workshop in German Pennsylvanian/Scandinavian band weaving at the Interweave Yarn Fest last month.
Admittedly I was exhausted after three days of selling yarn, so I was relieved to find band weaving relaxing and enjoyable, and not incredibly difficult. Nancy designed her method of band weaving to be portable--all you need is a clamp, a small rigid heddle, and a few odds and ends that can easily fit in a small bag. Plus, it's much less expensive than buying a loom.

Some of Nancy's examples, including a dog leash and keychain. Can't wait to make a leash for our dog Purl!

Students in action band weaving at the YarnFest

My first project had some sections with very uneven edges, so I decided to cut out the ugly parts and make a shorter headband.  I came to appreciate how sturdy woven fabric is--it's actually rather hard to undo weaving. I'm used to knitting which can easily come unraveled with a slight tug.



My first woven band with Cotton Fleece

Modeling my woven headband--excuse the dorky selfie

This method of band weaving is simple enough, it would be a great project for kids. I've already started weaving another band:


 

Setting up the warp takes the most time. The warp will also create the pattern.

Almost finished! I'm hoping to make this one a belt.


If you want to get started band weaving, here's a book recommended by Nancy:

 

 Until next time. . . happy making!

Free (& Adorable) Patterns for Babies

What's cuter than a hand-knit sweater for an adorable baby? Did you know that we have been putting many of the Brown Sheep Original patterns up for free on Ravelry? Just in case you are looking for a baby pattern, here are some cute options for you. Even if you are not, the cute pictures of babies will make you smile.

Jumps & Bumps Sweater & Hat by Lorna Miser
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jumps--bumps-sweater--hat

Daffodil Sweater and Hat by Lorna Miser
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/daffodil-sweater--hat

Cozy Posy Sweater and Hat by Lorna Miser
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cozy-posy-sweater--hat

Baby Boy Vest by Lorna Miser
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-boy-vest

Baby Girl Vest by Lorna Miser
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-girl-vest-3

Happy knitting! :)

All About WOOL

Caution: nerd alert! (Admit it, if you are a knitter or crocheter you probably have a bit of a nerdy side)

If you're not already a yarn snob, you are about to learn some good reasons to become one. Why? The kind of fiber your yarn is made of makes a huge difference!

 

Image from CSIRO

 

Check out this electron microscope image of a wool fiber. Wool is a natural protein fiber, similar to human hair in that it's made of a keratin-like protein. This fiber has some amazing properties:

 

Felting: When wool is agitated with heat and moisture,  the scales of the edges of wool fibers interlock, creating a durable fabric. Felting is great for creating warm, durable projects such as clogs, mittens, and bags. However, it can be a bummer when a wool garment accidentally is thrown in the washing machine, since felting shrinkage is irreversible.

 

Copyright Fiber Trends

 

Flexibility and Durability: the molecular structure of each wool fiber is a coiled spring, making the fiber very elastic. This flexibility also makes the fiber more durable: a wool fiber can be bent back on itself more than 20,000 times without breaking, compared to about 3,000 times for cotton and 2,000 times for silk.

 

Water Absorbency: Wool is considered a hygroscopic fiber, meaning it takes up moisture in vapor form. Tiny pores in the fiber will take up moisture from its environment, and also release moisture in drier conditions. Wool is especially comfortable to wear because it keeps a layer of air next to the skin. As wool absorbs moisture, it actually generates heat! The hydrogen bond of water is broken and chemically reacts with molecules of wool to generate heat. This makes wool ideal for absorbing sweat and providing protection against hypothermia. For these reasons wool is worn in desert regions of the world where it's hot in the daytime and cold at night.

 

 

Resistance to Flame: Wool blankets can be used to extinguish small fires because wool is self-extinguishing. Wool contains moisture in every fiber, so it will not support combustion.

 

Takes Dye Beautifully: Wool absorbs dye into the inner core of the fiber, where a chemical reaction occurs making the color change permanent except under extreme conditions. Wool is an amphoteric, meaning the fiber takes in both acidic and basic dyes. This means that wool can be dyed in an incredibly wide array of beautiful colors!

 

 

 

Wow! Wool is amazing. Have fun with your favorite fiber art. :)