Back on the Horse

I apologize for not posting anything much of substance since I've been back. (Not that I do that often, but anyhoo.) Believe it or not, and I have a hard time believing myself, most of last week I slept between 10 to 14 hours every day!! And during the few hours I was up, I kept counting the number of days I had left to make something for the Fiber Art Awards, and came up with absolutely nothing. Finally, yesterday afternoon, feeling frustrated and wanting to get on with my "normal" life, I gave up on the idea of putting anything forward, and got on the business of weaving.

Feeling foot-loose and fancy-free, I planned a black and gray Fibonacci-esque log cabin, (my very first log cabin!) using knitting alpaca at 6EPI, weaving width a little over 10 inches on the loom. I know some of my friends weave superb pieces with alpaca, but I had one hideous experience with alpaca, and since these come off of knitting balls, I have no idea if 6EPI is good enough, and/or how this is going to wet finish. So, some major sampling coming up soon. Since I will have enough warp for 3 scarves, however, I would like to change the treadling and make pieces with difference looks and I might even use other colors in the weft.

And I dressed the loom today.

I also put on a purple merino warp on the big loom. This is my favorite merino, 110/2 or approximately 2/17 in 18EPI, in a discontinued color, "Grape". I made this warp some years ago, but for some forgotten reason, I started putting it on the big loom, then decided not to weave it, and took the warp off the loom. I did not have a cross at one end, and the end I presume with the cross was cut and taped together with masking tape to try to maintain the cross order! Don't ask. I don't remember what I was thinking, but this is why I hadn't used it for years.

I do love the color, and I am interested in reproducing my cotton "Rococo" designs in merino, using less contrasting colors; in this case probably dark red or burgundy wefts. I haven't finalized the drafts for this one so it's not threaded yet, and when I do thread, I'd have to proceed with tender loving care. I do remember I made this warp as wide as I could with what I had on the cone, so I've no extras left, except for the 50cm or so I cut off at the tangled taped end today. These will have to do if an end breaks.

I got some information from Claudia about the Bamboo/Rayon debate, but there is a lot of science reading (not my forte,) in order for me to understand enough to explain to you, so I need a bit more time. There are some common sense things about textiles that I didn't know or had understood incorrectly, so I'll tell you about them, too.

Oh, and Japan pics coming up soon-ish. Deciding not to participate in the Fiber Arts Award was so liberating; I can get on with my life and start doing things I like. Like weaving, and posting photos. And I've volunteered to help them hang the Awards exhibition, something I love doing.

What's on your loom???