Just a short post to show some of my stuff for weaving. At the top we have Swedish Weaving Shuttles by Bluster Bay in Curly Maple and Leopard Wood. Very thin and will be able to go through the shed of the Rigid Heddle Loom that I own. I just have to make quills out of paper and I'm in business. Of course, I've never done that before but I don't find that to be a deterrent.Below that I have boat shuttles by Schacht in Cherry and some sort of combination wood. All of them are "slim" shuttles and can use either quills or plastic bobbins. Because I want to protect my tools, I'm taking placemats or table runners and making padded rolls for my shuttles. The Stick Shuttles were made for me by BrandywineWoodworks and are made of Canary Wood, Walnut, Sheaoak and Bubinga. Below those we have tapestry bobbins made of Goncalo Alves, Red Heart, Mallee Burl, Birdseye Maple and Koa. Not that I'm going to do tapestry work but you can use them for other things besides tapestry work. Of course, with all those shuttles, I needed a Quill Winder which I got on E-Bay from someone who gets used ones and cleans them up. Under that, thanks to Lartiza, I got a battery opperated fringe winder from Lacis. So much better than twisting them by hand that I almost wept for joy. Thank You Laritiza! Below these I have several skeins of fingering weight yarn from A Verb For Keeping Warm. The brown skeins are superwash merino in colorway Kerala and the Red is65/35 wool/tussah silk in "Brick". Not lace weight but can be used for weaving some really nice scarves. I can practice a few techniques with this heavier weight yarn. Last but not least, I continue stash busting. I took left-over cashmere from ColorMartUK and wove it with "Double Kiss" Rayon yarn that I have had FOREVER in my stash from "Wool in the Woods". It makes a nice scarf and I have enough for a second one (good "Mother/Daughter" scarves). I have more yarn for weaving but I don't think you need to be that bored. Did I mention I also have lots of books? I swear the next post will be about lace. I'm almost done with the center of the Crown Prince Shawl and I did fix Goldregen so I can start knitting on that again. With Stitches West coming up, I have to finish at least one of these or hang my head in shame :-)
20 comments:
wow! Those shuttles are exquisite! Looks like you are taking up weaving with a vengence. But of course, I am waiting anxiously to see your lace knitting, which is even more exquisite :)
Wow indeed! Even as a non-weaving lace lover I can appreciate the beauty of those weaving things. Even if I don't know what they are for!!! :)
Nice shuttles! The quills should not be a problem....I don't make them, I am lazy and use bobbins. Glad you are happy with the fringe twister it does make a huge difference.
Where did you get the ruler? it is so cute. Your scarf is beautiful.
not a weaver but lovely photos of the wooden implements they're beautiful I also love the scarf...
you blog about what you like it's your blog ;o)
You are both a keeper and maker of beautiful things.
Thank you for sharing.
I so love the shuttles and ruler (I think I've said that before) but I love seeing beautiful woods and woodwork.
Thank you.
Your tools are so pretty they deserve nice comfy cosies! BTW I make my paper quills from larger post-it notes (4" x 4" is a good size) - wrap around the winder with the sticky edge on the outside wrap. They stay together quite nicely and last for quite awhile. Cheap and easy to replace when they wear out.
Well, I really like lace, but weaving is another basic technique to make something beautiful. You've got some amazing tools there. History is clearly visible.
Weaving makes more sturdy fabric, a bit less stretchy then knitting.
I'm really suprised by the use of your yarn, the combo works very well.
Gorgeous shuttles! I am envious. Your weaving it very nice. Have you noticed that weaving uses up yarn faster than lace knitting? Just saying, because I am guessing your stash is like mine!
Dear fleegle,
I'm now on the edging for the Crown Prince Square Shawl. Once that sucker is done I'm going to finish Goldregen next so you will finally have something to look at:-)
Dear Soo,
If I did not have so much darned yarn I don't think I would have considered weaving but now that I have taken it up it really can be very relaxing. Thanks for putting up with the non lace pictures :-)
Dear Lartiza,
I really adore the fringe twister. I almost swooned the first time I used them. Thanks again for letting me know about it. I tried to wind a few quills and all I can say is I hope I get better at it or I will be buying the pre-made ones :-) Those Swedish shuttles really are beautiful and feel great. Can't wait to find a worthy project to use them :-)
Dear Gertieanne,
I bought the ruler at a local crafts fair from
Phillip Van Ornum 408-910-9690
He doesn't have a website however. Glad you liked the scarf :-)
Dear Littleberry,
Thank you :-) I feel a bit odd posting so much on the weaving since the darned site is called "lacefreak" but the next post will have nice lace content. Weaving has something they call "lace" but it's more like hand manipulated weaving to make holes so I will try that out so it will sort of lace related LOL.
Dear Betty,
Thanks for your support! I always love to show-off what I find because I find the best stuff looking at other blogs :-)
Dear GailR,
I really am a sucker for nice wood so it's nice to know you like it too. That ruler has turned out to be a favorite with lots of people. Too bad the man doesn't have a web site, just a name and phone #
Phillip Van Ornum 408-910-9690
Just in case you just have to get yourself one :-)
Dear Louisa,
Thank you for that tip! I have made a few awkward attempts to make quills and was trying to use tape to make it stay put. Post-it notes sound like a terrific idea! I will try that next since I'd hate to admit defeat.
Dear MoniqueB,
I was also surprised at how that combo of yarns turned out. I'm trying to use things that have hung out in the stash a long time without being used. I do like crafts that have a little history to them. I feel so much more productive when I make something and I love to look at what others have made as well.
Dear BadCatDesigns
I have my sister to thank for those Swedish Shuttles. I lusted them until she bought them for me as a Xmas gift. I picked the sizes and the woods and they were made for me. They feel fantastic and are so slim they will go through the sheds on the RH loom with no problem :-) I do have a pretty big fiber and yarn stash but I've seen parts of your stash on your blog and I actually think you have me beat LOL. I know for a fact you have more beautiful beads than me :-)Still, my stash is large and weaving really is very quick. Whiz Bang and you have a scarf that your male friends will actually wear!It's great for yarns I have "outgrown" for the purpose of lace.
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