Fuzzy Babies

Aren't these little ones cute? Or are you one of those who find baby birds looks only those that a mother could love?

Either way, go to my new blogsite to learn more about these babies and why they're in a wreath.

Handwoven Swedish Lace Scarves

 I’ve been a very bad blogger, but at least I’ve been a good weaver. I have good excuses. In the space of 21 days between May 22 and June 8 I have two shows — Routes to Art and Kenan Center’s 100 American Craftsmen — a major fundraiser for Pfeiffer Nature Center where I work, and, most importantly, MY DAUGHTER’S wedding!

I won’t bore you with a post on every scarf I’ve made; instead I’ll show you the recent scarves by grouping.

Although when I’m showing new handwoven scarves to Margaret to gather local critique I always show her my favorites last, I’m going to reverse that here, and show you my favorites first.

And what are those favorites, you might ask? It’s the new Swedish lace scarves. I wove them in alternating blocks. I was initially afraid it’d look a bit like a checkerboard, detracting from the classy look I was going for.

First I did them in a fine gauge Mora wool, approximately 4,700 yards per pound (ypp).

Yippee – I liked the way they looked! Although that wool is pretty fine, they look clunky compared to the next batch...

Now it was time to move to the fiber I really wanted to do them with, a VERY fine cashmere-silk blend in a lovely orange color. Â This yarn is about 6,000 ypp

I’m not usually an orange person, but I really love these scarves. Obviously, the scarf on the left is the Swedish lace blocks, and the one on the right is a simple tabby weave. In both cases, the finished product is light as air, soft as silk, and drapes like a dream.

Like my other handwoven lace scarves, I wove these on my little counterbalance loom. I do love this vintage, handmade beauty, and use it whenever possible, and it never complains, even when I ask it to go outside its comfort zone and weave 1 harness against 3, such as when I’m making woven lace.

I took them to Routes to Art this weekend, my first show of the season, and got lots of great feedback. I will DEFINITELY be making more cashmere silk scarves! In fact, I think I’d better go order more of that yarn right now!

May 22nd, 2010

Bad blogger, good weaver

Time always manages to get away from me. This month I have a great excuse...in a three week period I have two shows, a major fund raiser for my office, and my daughter's wedding. Needless to say, I've been a tad busy.

But even though I wasn't blogging, I never stopped weaving.

Here are two Swedish lace scarves I did recently.

Check out my new blogsite to learn more.

Handwoven Bamboo Scarves

Although I've been away from blogging, I've been busily weaving. Here are some of my new creations.

First, here's a set of three handwoven scarves in 100% bamboo. These three scarves share a common warp, set in random stripes of honey, acorn, ecru, and navy. One warp was solid honey advancing twill, one solid acorn woven in a tabby weave (my personal favorite from this batch), and one in solid acorn with an unusual point twill design. Learn more about that design at my new blogsite.

Here's another set of three bamboo handwovens. The warp for these three was a solid ecru, and as you can see, two of them have that same ecru weft, in two different weave patterns. The third has a navy warp to create an interesting weave pattern. See which one I like best at my new blogsite.

Now for a log cabin design, using a black 100% bamboo yarn alternating with a handpainted bamboo-cotton blend. I really love this scarf, and it's gotten me lots of positive comments from those who've seen it in person. Get more of the background at my new blogsite.

I'm going to save my complete favorite for the next post. Check back soon.

Why am I now posting a picture of ice?

In addition to the fact that I think it's beautiful, it's in response to Carmi's weekly challenge.

See more of my work at my new blogsite, and join in Carmi's game.

You Still Have Dial Up?!

I do still have a dial up internet connection. Crazy, in 2010, isn't it? For some years I truly didn't have any option. Then I did, but couldn't afford it. Now I'm back to fairly option-less.

Read the whole story at my new blogsite, and give me some suggestions on how to change my situation that don't involve moving from my beautiful country home.

Lots of New Handwoven Scarves

Yikes! Somehow I've managed to get a lot of weaving done that didn't make it up here for you to see. Wintergreen bamboo, handpainted variegated moccasin and blue violet bamboo cotton, and variations on those themes. I've made flat scarves and infinity scarves, twill scarves and plain weave scarves, wide scarves and narrow scarves.

Check them all out on my new blogsite, unless you're ready to make a purchase at my website.