Tag: glimakra emilia

New Stuff! Emilia Stand, Inkle Loom, etc.

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image from www.flickr.com

Merry Christmas to me, about six weeks early.

What's new? A Glimakra Emilia stand! It was delivered this morning, along with a second 10 dent heddle and a second heddle kit. I was able to swap out the big desk in my work area, and I replaced it with this half-size desk we happened to have sitting around. The new stuff in my room actually inspired me to tidy up–although I have some clutter in a few of those cubes–but now my yarn is all in its proper place in the organizer I bought this summer. Extra heddles are corraled by a cool sunflower napkin holder. Also on the top of the organizer is a neat Norwegian band loom, or grindvev, I picked up at a local thrift store. It's quite a treasure that I'll blog about another day.

My mini inkle loom was made by Mac's Traditional Shop. It's just 16" long, and it can make about a 40" to 50" band. Isn't it cute? I have yet to finish my first sample. I made some beginner mistakes warping, and after struggling for about half an hour, it occurred to me that I didn't know how to use an inkle loom! And so I went to Youtube and watched a few videos, and then returned to the loom with a new perspective.

The top of my organizer also holds my sewing kit and a wooden bird, carved for me by my husband 20 years ago this coming Christmas. It's one of my priceless treasures.

Ah, the Potential…

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I'm not yet certain what this will be once it's off the loom. The easiest decision is a shawl. Knot those fringes and viola! It would be more difficult to turn it into a poncho or ruana, but that's what I've been wanting to try. The warp was 19" x 100", and it's shrinking down to 18" on the loom. We'll see how the length ends up, and that may decide it right there. I'm using the 8 dent heddle and some inexpensive yarn I had lying around (Caron Simply Soft in Heather Gray). I added some visual interest with the two stripes of maroon wool, and then decided to do a pickup stick pattern throughout. So far, I think it's pretty, and even the gray is turning out to be a nice choice.

For some reason, my husband and I have decided to celebrate Christmas early. (Could all the Christmas decorations going up in stores in October be having an effect??!! Heavens!) His present was purchased a few weeks back, and then it was my turn, but it took awhile to figure out what I wanted, which is strange, because normally I know exactly what I want, loom-wise.

I ended up purchasing an adorable mini inkle loom. It's so cute you'll probably not be able to stand it. Really! I also decided to outfit my beloved Emilia loom with some much-needed upgrades. I figured why should I daydream about a floor loom or a tabletop loom, when I spend nearly every free moment with Emilia? So, this week, I'll be getting a loom stand, a second heddle kit, an a second 10 dent heddle. I'll be ready for fancy patterns and gauzy fabrics, with the stand being an extra bonus. Look for pictures and details later this week.

Do you know what I should have added to that order? Pickup sticks! Take a look at what I'm using in that picture above… two paint stirrer thingies scotch-taped together. Well, it works, but really!

Little Green Scarf

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image from www.flickr.com

I used a variety of yarns and colors with a goal of creating a warp-faced scarf this time around. I used the 10 dent heddle on my Glimakra Emilia, warped about 5" wide with Paton's Country (green, red), Blue Heron Rayon (mossy), and a home-dyed, homespun wool (maroon) from a local shop. The weft was Sinofina mercerized cotton (olive).

I used the heddle to lift and lower the threads, but then used the inkle belt shuttle to do the beating. The scarf drew in over an inch. Off the loom, the scarf is 3.75" x 40" with 4" of fringe on either side. If I attempt another warp-faced scarf in order to get that striped look, I'll remember that the warp should be longer than I think, otherwise I'll end up with another short scarf. It's cute, though.

Next project: anything but a scarf!

What's coming in the mail??? A very early Christmas present… for me!

Hunting Scarf

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Here it is! A bright, blaze orange scarf meant for keeping a person–in this case my dad–a little bit warmer and a tiny bit safer during the upcoming deer hunting season. I have to admit a few things: 1) It was hard to find a local source of blaze orange yarn. This was the closest I could find (I Love This Yarn in orange); 2) It hurt my eyes just a tiny bit to weave blaze orange. 

Luckily, I am very fond of the color orange, so it was a fun, fast project. I've learned that acrylic can be difficult at times, though, and joining yarn is a pain because the ends don't stay put the way they do with wool. 

Next year: a better blaze orange hunting scarf with a fancy pattern and a nicer yarn.