Pebble coasters

Here is one of the final sets of coasters.

Pebble theme continued

To continue the pebble theme and explore more meandering weft, I started a set of coasters. They are done with wool so they can be felted in the washing machine after weaving. I had a lot of fun making some pebble-shaped "sketches" with two methods: shapes cut out of a sheet of stripes in crayon and ink; and photographs of yarn against dark paper cropped with a pebble-shaped frame.

The weaving is done on a "pin board" (stack of cardboard). 

I'm experimenting as I decide what method I want to use for the contrasting stripes and as I sort out how to make the edges beautiful. The coaster on the right is one of the first and shows how much shrinkage happens in the felting process. The ones on the left haven't been felted yet.

Pebble Bag Weaving Complete

back of bag and flap

By the end of the weaving I had found my way in meandering weft, how to switch colours and how to keep control of the shapes. To full and slightly felt the bag, I put it into the washing machine. It tightened up and has a really lovely feel. I'll make the lining next.

front of bag with flap closed

Pebble bag continued

Flap and back of bag with sketch beside

I finished weaving the flap and now am weaving around the body of the bag. After I created the design on the flap based on the pebble, I needed to design the rest of the bag to belong with it. I made a shaped sketch to follow. I've just woven a line to establish the main line of the white design around the bag and next will I fill in on both sides of it.

Front of bag with the main line of white just finished
and reverse of sketch beside

Beginning to weave the "pebble" bag

I've finally begun to weave the bag. I keep the inspirational pebble close at hand while weaving freeform meandering weft in a variety of greys and a bright white. Every weft is made up of three strands to keep the texture and colours rich.The greys are all done in even weave, but the white has a combination of even weave and rows of "over two, back under one" stitch to increase the intensity.

Plaiting on holiday

We were on holiday and I wanted something to do while on the airplane and lounging by the pool. So I had fun experimenting with different colours while I plaited some straps and cords from cotton yarn. I found the instructions for these straps in the book Time to Weave by Jane Patrick. She gives great step by step illustrations and projects to make as well.

Here is a quick summary of the instructions:

For the 8 strand cord hold 4 strands in each hand. Take an outside strand from one side. Move it under 5 and back over 2 strands. It becomes the inside strand on the same side it started from. Repeat on alternate sides. Keep alternating this movement.

For the 9 strand strap start with 4 strands in one hand and 5 in the other. Take the outside strand of the group of 5. Move it over 2 and under 2 and put it in the other hand. It becomes the inside strand of the group. Repeat with the outside strand of the group that now has 5. Keep alternating this movement.

Pebble bag

My daughter brought me back a beautiful grey and white striped pebble from her holiday. It has become the inspiration for a larger wool bag that I intend to felt. I gathered up the materials and did a little sample to start with.

Now I am in the process of warping. The sides are done ... 

...and I'm warping the ends and weaving the bottom at the  same time. The oval shape is a bit tricky at this stage, but once the bottom is complete, it should be straightforward from there.

Bags and more bags

I'm perfecting the technique and trying variations of design and colours. A few are completely finished.

I have a series of felted bags. Recyled silk from an old blouse, hand-stamped with fabric paint will be the linings for these.

There are a number of miscellaneous experiments which are woven and have the linings in process.

2 Prom bags

I had two sudden requests for a bag to match a prom dress. The colour and size was commissioned but I was free to do my own design.

To make the strap I used 9 strands of the warp thread and did a flat plait. I left both ends unbraided and incorporated them into the warp at both sides of the bag. The ends were tied together at the bottom and later pulled through to the inside.

Each bag took about 8 hours of work and I had just two weeks to do both of them. The linings were sewn in on the afternoon before the prom!

Here is a neat tutorial of an all-in-one-piece bag

http://donisdelis.blogspot.com/2009/01/little-tutorial.html

Little bags

first samples to test size

Little bags are a great way to try out a colour scheme and a technique. I've tried buttoned and zipped ones all built on the same principle of pin weaving all-in-one-piece around a cardboard form.

more samples with options for linings

the current project with the materials

the next plan with colour and button option