Acrylic Scarf

I have a lot to learn. I'm attracted to yarn with varied colors but have found them to be a bit unpredictable, especially if used as the warp and weft as was the case with this one which I made in late December. I used much of 2 cakes, same colors but they started with a different color. I warped 88 ends in 8 epi heddle. The warp turned out to be all warm colors, the weft a mix. I was disappointed that some of the transitions were a harsher line than others. I loved using my new yarn twister to twist the fringe.

Even though it was acrylic, it still 'fulled' when I wet finished it.

Dish cloths!

I made my first set of dish cloths right before Christmas. I used Sugar and Cream cotton (see previous post for photos of the yarn) and a spin on a pattern I purchased called 'Cotton Dishcloths Tutorial Twill Textile Design'. 

I warped 80 ends in an 8 dpi heddle, just over 8 feet in length. On each side of each dishcloth I wove an inch with thinner crochet thread as weft for a slimmer turned-under hem on the non-selvedge ends and a peace of junk yard between. I straight-stitched with my sewing machine on both sides of the junk yarn pieces, then removed them, cut there, and turned under and stitched the ends. On the 3rd and 4th sets I pressed the hems well ahead which made it easier. 

I squeaked out 7 dishcloths in this first set and gave them as gifts to Eric and Kathy, Eli and Bri, Kathy's mother Betty, Mike's sisters Amy and Marla, and my friends Amy and Sue.

I made this set in early January.

I made 2 sets in mid January because Marla was wanting 10 (she offered $5 each, I charged $3.50 each). On these sets I carefully measured 9" in length not counting the inch for turning under and they shrank to 7.5-8 inches of finished length. I do them a little longer another time. In addition to Marla's 10, we saved some and will give one each to Tara/Isaac and Mariah/Greg.

New loom!

In mid December my constant searching for my perfect floor loom online bore fruit! A couple in Portland was selling a 1989 Harrisville 4 shaft/6 treadle loom that had never been used for $800. Sold! I think I'll name her Nena. 

Turquoise Scarf

I purchased this warp yarn because I thought it would make a thick, nice scarf. My tension became loose on the edges and I used a hard beat to compensate. That, combined with heavy cotton warp, resulted in a rather stiff scarf. It might become a bag or something else some day!

(Just the green)

Old Skills & Inspiration

When I retired and gained time to create, I returned to my roots: sewing. Inspired by the beautiful used textiles I purchase in Guatemala, my first project was engineering the perfect laptop bag with lots of zippers and pockets.

Next I made this lightweight travel purse, followed by a smaller purse, big enough for tissues and lip stuff and my phone.

Sometimes I canabalize old purses I purchase used for zippers and pockets.

This project was with locally purchased fabric, also engineered to have special spaces.

After taking an introductory weaving class and purchasing my first loom, a folding Schacht Flip, I made this carrying case.