Colour and Weave experiments (phase 1)

This summer I've been playing with Colour and Weave. The starting point was a gamp from The Structure of Weaving by Anne Sutton (page 36). I recorded the combinations of threading and began to chart them myself and then weave some to find out first hand how this works. I prepared three-ply yarns from dyed fleece in light greys and dark greens and blues (from Custom Woolen Mills near Carstairs Alberta Canada).

One set that worked really well looks a bit like a basket weave pattern. I wove a single and then a double variation. (SINGLE: warp: 2 lights 1 dark, weft: the same as warp. DOUBLE: warp: 2 lights 1 dark 1 light 1 dark, weft: the same as warp)

Once I understood this pattern, I charted a triple version of it for a future weaving. (TRIPLE: warp: 2 darks 1 light 1 dark 1 light 1 dark 1 light, weft: the same as warp)

Another pattern looks like bars of colour with little dots along the bars. (warp: 1 light 1 dark, weft: groups of three of each colour with the first pick going under warps of the same colour)

Tartan and Twill squares all complete

All 16 squares are complete and ready for fulling. After that they go to my friend who intends to make a cushion with them. Currently they are about 5.25 inches square. The final size after fulling should be about 4.5 inches.

There are 8 twill squares. Green is the warp and one of the other three colours is the weft. Here's my favourite in the warm siena brown in a 3/2 twill.

I did two different tartan patterns.
One based on the proportions of a Graham  tartan.

One based on the proportions of a Campbell tartan.

All the ends were left at the edges and caught lightly onto the back afterwards.

Tartan and Twill

A friend asked me to do a tartan pillow using her choice of four colours of fine wool. My first test was a gamp (trying every colour with every other colour). I knew nothing about tartan except that the same pattern of stripes is used for both both warp and weft and it is often woven as a twill. There are thousands of tartans. I was at a loss to design my own, so I found a four-colour tartan and copied the proportions. I applied my friend's colours to it and made a "tartan ruler" as a way to chart the warp and weft.

From doing the gamp I realized that a full sized pillow with such fine yarn in pin weaving was going to be too daunting. I proposed a checkerboard sampler of 16 squares so that I can work small and modular. Eight squares will be tartan, and the other eight will be a two-colour twill. That way I can experiment with moving the design around on the tartan pattern and try a lot of different twill patterns.

I'm nearly finished the fourth square and find them relaxing to make.

Bias woven hat

I found I can weave around a cylinder on the bias to make a stretchy hat. I used 2 strands of white hand-spun Wensleydale wool plied with a commercial wool and silk blend for the tweedy look. I simply released the woven tube from the loom and drew up one edge to make the hat.

Super-chunky home-made yarn

Over the last few years I have saved every end of yarn from all my projects in my "oddments" basket. I dip into them whenever I need a small bit of yarn and can usually find one to match the current project if I need to sew on a button or tie on a label. But the basket overflowed and turned into two. Finally I dumped the whole lot out and used them up in one go. I tied them end to end in three separate strands. Then I put them together and used a 10 mm crochet hook to make a giant variegated chain. 

It is delightful the way the colours blend together in a totally random pattern. It has a ragged look because all the knots and ends are left showing. Now I need to find the right project for it. I've been canvassing my friends for ideas. One friend has offered me the use of her peg loom to make a mat. Someone suggested I find an even larger hook to crochet it into a very thick fabric. I intend to make a pin woven sample and weave it with a single strand of something thin to show off the chain.

 I used a short length in the locker hooked rug sample at a workshop given by Rosemary at the Eden Valley guild of Spinners Weavers and Dyers. I liked the effect. It would need it to be a little thinner (maybe use two strands?) and would need a different solution for joining in because the knots are uncomfortable underfoot.

Please leave a comment if you have an idea of how I could use the home-made super-chunky yarn.

Plaited paper baskets

materials used, clockwise from top: 

heavy plastic with an enclosed strand of green yarn; 

large scenic calendar; cereal box; heavy packaging paper

I love these soft sided baskets* that can be made from all kinds of recycled materials. I've used old calendars, the wrappers from office photocopy paper, wall paper, travel brochures, maps, cereal boxes and the huge plastic wrapper from a new mattress. The construction is based on simple over and under weaving. 

To make a basket, go to the page "HOW TO MAKE plaited paper baskets".

*I learned to make the plaited baskets from the excellent book Time to Weave by Jane Patrick. (Have a look at my books and links page.) 

Turquoise series

Turquoise hand spun bags

Little all-in-one-piece bags are my ongoing handwork. They are just the right size to hold on my lap when riding in the car or sitting visiting. So I try to have one on the go all the time. My last batch was really fun, each one an experiment of colour or pattern, but they didn't look very good presented as a group. Most of those have been distributed as gifts or sold except for my favourites which are in use as holders for cosmetics or weaving supplies.

Bags using sari silk

For the current set I have given myself the goal that they should look good together. That way I can present them for sale on the Spinners, Dyers and Weavers Guild stall at Wool Fest next year. The unifying factor in this set is turquoise. I am trying all manner of new things: using my own variegated hand-spun; variations on plaid and twill weaves; spun sari silk as part of the warp; leather flaps sewn on. I have a bag full of the supplies for this series and it is fun to root around in it whenever I am ready to start a new one.