Tag: rigid heddle

Diamond Table Runner and Comfy Throw

December 1, 2010 horsenettle No Comments

Finished: the 7.5" x 16" table runner, woven with two heddles. Just big enough for a super small table or a mat underneath a lamp and telephone (which is where this one is living for now). I was thrilled to use two heddles and can't wait for the next project. This one involved embroidery thread and I used the Diamonds pattern from The Weaver's Idea Book. Very fun indeed. I don't even mind the bumpy edges (strange, I've read about this thing called a floating selvedge and yet never thought it would be something I need someday…).

Also finished: the shawl, poncho, throw-type weaving. It measures 17.5" x 60". I should have been about 6" longer, but I ran out of the Caron Simply Soft and was too impatient to buy some more. It's plenty long, however, and after knotting the fringes and trimming them to about 4", I called it done. It's now flung over the top of a chair. The pattern gives it a rustic look and I'm pleased with it.

The cat picture has a story. She suddenly flung herself onto the throw and skidded to the edge of the table. I snapped the picture just as she turned, shot across to the other side, jumped into her little basket, and skidded over the other edge where she landed on the ground. We think she was embarrassed.

Categories: Finished Object Glimakra Emilia Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving

Tags: glimakra emilia, loom, rigid heddle, shawl, table runner, two heddles, weaving

Fun with Two Heddles

November 28, 2010 horsenettle No Comments

I've been having a great time using two 10 dent heddles with my new double heddle kit I bought for my Emilia. I've never had to think so hard about threading. It was a brain teaser, but once done (by studying my Jane Patrick book, numerous websites and blogs, and also discussions on Ravelry), it all makes sense. Really! Basically, it's pulling four ends through each of the back heddle (also known as heddle II). Wind on your warp. Pull one strand from each grouping into each eye. So, when heddle II is warped, it has three ends in the slots, one end in an eye.

Then, you add in the front heddle (also known as heddle I) and it gets a little muddy, but in a nutshell, you pull two slot ends into a slot, the third slot end into an eye, and the final fourth end, which had been in the eye of heddle II, into the slot on the far side of the eye you just sleyed. Okay… make sense? Good! Continue on down, warping all of heddle I.

Now, you're ready! See? It's easy!

Well, not really. Would you believe it took me three hours? To warp 8" across? And just 36" long? Yes? Then you'd be wrong, because it actually took three and a half hours. Now, the next time, it'll be a cinch.

Once all that warp was carefully tied on, I was ready to weave… something… didn't know what… So, I pulled out Jane Patrick's book, picked a pattern from the Double Heddle chapter, and started weaving. I chose the Diamond pattern, mostly because it uses two heddles and no pickup sticks. (Yes, you can add in pickup sticks!) And there was much head scratching and pulling out of weft and so on as I followed the eight steps to complete one pattern section, until I finally realized it made sense and I was weaving the diamond pattern.

I'm using a variety of browns, reds, and off-whites from my embroidery thread collection. It's pretty, and even though my brain was taxed, it was worth it.

Categories: Glimakra Emilia Resources Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving

Tags: double heddle, glimakra emilia, loom, rigid heddle, table runner, weaving

New Stuff! Emilia Stand, Inkle Loom, etc.

November 15, 2010 horsenettle No Comments

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.

Categories: Glimakra Emilia Home Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving

Tags: glimakra emilia, grindvev, heddle, inkle loom, loom, rigid heddle, stand, weaving

Ah, the Potential…

November 14, 2010 horsenettle No Comments

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!

Categories: Glimakra Emilia Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving

Tags: glimakra emilia, inkle, loom, rigid heddle, weaving