new project

I've got a nice table top loom that I've only used once. It took me three days to warp the board. I used almost all 400 of my heddles. Some parts didn't work so well, I couldn't get the tension right and while it was fun to use, I was very frustrated that the sheds didn't open up properly. There were always 5 or so threads that would get tangled and I couldn't figure out how to undo it. So, I made it my ugly practice weave.

After that, I had a hard time getting excited to do anything again on the Dorothy (name of the type of loom). The loom sat on a table in my living room looking empty and ignored. I finally moved it out of the living room and worked on some Inkle projects.

Then, over the weekend, I decided to give the Dorothy another try. I built a real warping board and I read detailed instructions on removing the thread from the board and putting it onto the loom. I was very concerned with tension issues again, but the instructions looked easy enough. I'm only using about 1/4 of the heddles this time. So, it makes it a very small project, but I have been so pleased. Either because I'm using such a small number of warp or because of the good instructions I followed, or both, things have been going much better.

It only took me a few hours in the afternoon to warp the loom. I know that is still a long time, but I'm new. The tension is much better and I was so excited to see the shafts open cleanly with no snags.

Unfortunately, I don't have much thread. The warp is black and my weft is red and white. I'm trying out different patterns using the shafts and have been so happy to see the patterns forming in my weave. I'll get a picture of it soon. I have no idea what I'll be doing with this little projects. It's width would make a nice children's scarf, so that is what it might become.

Today, I'm a very happy weaver.

Using the Inkle

The Inkle loom, which you can see pictured to the left of the screen here, is used to make bands. Depending on how many dowel are on the loom will determine how long the warp will be. Mine is fairly small and will make something a couple of yards long. I built my loom by myself from looking at pictures in a book. It isn't the prettiest loom and it has a few issues with the tension, but I really like it. So far, I've made belts and head bands with with the bands I've woven. I have some ideas for other projects, and I'm working on a technique called pick up weaving. It isn't going so well at the moment. I'll keep working on it.....


This brown belt is made from regular yarn. The yarn is the type that changes color within itself. I was very pleased with the patterns it made on the Inkle loom.


This yarn is quite fun and fuzzy. It is white with silver. I was playing around with the loom and wondered how this yard would come out. I like the end result. It isn't as fuzzy once woven, but it makes a much softer band than regular yarn.

2nd Weaving

Mid May
After adding a few more nails to my loom, I was able to thread more warp and I attempted a tapestry type weave. I was starting this in May with the idea that Independence Day would be here in 6 weeks, I went with a patriotic theme. It wasn't pretty, but I learned a lot. It was also just plain fun to do. My husband didn't like it much, but I was proud of what I had created.

My First Loom

This was my first "loom" I built.
I started weaving with 6 cards and using the backstrap method. That is where you tie one end of the strings to something sturdy, the kitchen table in my case, and the other end of the strings to you, with it wrapped around your back. Hence - backstrap. I didn't like that much. With small children around, if one of them needed me, I couldn't hop up and take care of them when my weaving is attached to me. I needed a loom.

I came up with this dandy idea and Hubby built it for me. It keeps the warp (see the glossary on the left side of the blog) nice and tight without it being attached to me.

I made my sister a 4th of July belt. It wasn't the prettiest thing ever seen, but for my first weaving attempt, I was pleased and my sister humored me by wearing it on the 4th of July. She even wore it in public!

Welcome

Welcome to my weaving blog. I hope to keep a journal of writing and pictures of my looms and my weaving projects. I'm quite new to this and I hope that I will learn plenty and improve with each pass of the shuttle.