What a Difference A Yarn Makes

See this thick and thin yarn and then notice the slightly fuzzy parts of the cloth being woven.  The fuzzy is the thick and the clear view of the pattern is the thin.  It makes for an intriguing cloth that is both thick and absorbent with the patten being very clearly defined in other spots.  It makes you want to touch it and look closer.  I really enjoy these differences from the other towels.

The first towel I wove on this same warp, IE, the north and south threads, was with a knitting yarn that is very thick.  It was a great starter yarn for this warp to see what the pattern possibilities were and do so very quickly, much the same as you would knit faster with a thicker yarn.  I really liked the outcome of that combination but it was too thick for a good towel because it took to long to dry so it is on a wall, hanging in my kitchen instead.

So the next yarn I tried was a yarn that was the exact same as the warp and it was probably the best yarn for the balanced cloth, but it too was thicker than I'd really like.  I was able to see some of the threading errors better with this yarn and it is a beautiful towel for show.  I gifted them, I made two this way, to my mother for Mother's Day, and as predicted, she isn't using them.  They are just for show, because they are very special to her.  Thanks, Mom, I'm really glad you like them.  I made them strong enough to last a long time though, so you really should use them.  Let me know how they wear.

The next towel I made with this same warp was with a yarn that was unusual for use as a weft, the east west threads on a cloth.  It was rug warp cotton.  This yarn is generally used, as the name indicates, for making rugs.  It is known for being sturdy and yet thin enough to let a weft faced cloth hide it from view.  That means it almost doesn't show because it is so much thinner than the weft yarn or rags used for the weft.  All you see is the weft and it is therefore called a weft faced cloth.  I, however, thought it might make a nice yarn for the weft this time.  I wanted a sturdy yarn, but I also want a yarn that would be untreated or unmesmerized  so that it would be better at picking up water than a totally mercerized cloth would be. Sorry Mom, didn't think of this when I made your towels.  They are still thirsty, just not as thirsty as this would be.

And the towel at the top is the final towel for this warp.  It also is mercerized cotton.  It is a real departure because most patterns that are visually significant are meant to be seen and not confused.  However, my thought here was that the variety with a large contrast in colors between the warp and the weft would create the right environment for the pattern to be messed with a bit.  It is a bright copper and a pale peachy pink. A side note here is that this yarn I spun from two commercial yarns that were both thick and thin but separately much too fine for my purposes, so I spun them together and am using them that way.  The high contrast makes it more easy to see the pattern when it's both fluffy and straight.  That is why I decided to give it a try and see how it turned out.  It's still on the loom but so far I am liking it.  I would love to hear from you here.  Leave a comment for others to read and react to.  I'd also love to know if you sample when you weave, if you're a weaver.  Of course if you're not, but you do other crafts, I'd love to know if you sample in other forms of art too.  And if so, how!

So here's to the differences in life, be they yarn related or not.

Liana of
Liana's LoomEssence

liana.artfire.com

Lighting My Loom and other Weaving Goodness

Want to know a great way to light the bottom of your loom? It was suggested to me by a loom repair man. His name is Bob Shepherd and he not only weaves wonderfully colorful rugs for your wall, he also makes house calls to fix your loom. I highly recommend him for time spent making it right, also his friendly, kind and understanding manner.

Now my loom wasn't broken, per say, but I wasn't getting a good shed when using all 8 shafts. My Golding Loom is an expensive piece of equipment and I knew I wasn't adjusting something correctly, I just could not figure out where I was wrong! I said that Bob is an understanding soul! Well, for me that was especially important because I had the wrong tie ups under the loom and they had to be measured accurately or it wouldn't work. Bob showed me how to make the tie ups the exact length and how to heat them so they wouldn't Frey and then he showed me how to keep the shafts raised to the optimum height for each shaft. It works like a dream now.

One of the photos above show a small, out of the way, fixture to light my pedals for accurate treadling. Or for those unfamiliar with the lingo, correct order of pedaling. I found this light in the lighting department at a hardware store. It is used and marketed for lighting pictures without ruining the frame. It hangs over a standard 1/2 inch lip of a picture. It also happens to fit the lip under my loom that is the piece of framing in front and over the pedals.

I am much more confident weaving when I can clearly see the numbers of my pedals. This is particularly important if I have a complicated weave structure and numbers to push such as 1+7, then 9+6, then 4+7! I didn't want to count each time either, so my husband devised a system that uses a rainbow colored set of reading tabs with the numbers written with a sharpie. They stick to the pedals but can easily be removed and won't mare the wood. I use a different color for every other number so that I can buy one four pack and save. They do wear off and lose their stickiness after a while. But they couldn't be easier to replace!  This is also shown in one of the photos above.

The final handy dandy invention, (I've heard of different ways to do this) that makes the pattern for my weave structure easily legible and helps me keep my place when I'm interrupted, is a place card that is hovering at eye level and still looks nice. It is easiest for me to have it at eye level so that I don't have to look down at a sheet of paper or a book. So I typed, in a word processing program, the sequence with large, bold numbers in a line down the side of the paper. The bigger the better so long as it fits, when cut out, on one of those pick up sticks used to weave tapestry. Then I use a strong one inch piece of velcro to attach to the loom on the first heddle. Since the first heddle only moves up and down and has nothing in front of it, there is nothing to get in the way of the stick. I can see it over the top of the beater bar if I adhere it down at the bottom so most of it is up in the air. A mini clothes pin keeps my place. I just move the clothes pin as I beat, one hand to beat, one hand to move the pin. It's an easy, smooth motion that doesn't slow me down. I have mine on the far left so I can reach it easily and because I am left handed I prefer that. It really doesn't matter where it is placed so long as it is convenient for you. The picture shows it on the right as most people would prefer it there.

All of these fixes to my loom are made with the thought to keeping it looking nice while I weave. Also I do these things to make weaving as simple as possible to leave room for me to try difficult patterns. To put it another way, if my weaving motion is something I don't have to concentrate on then my brain can tackle a more complicated weave structure. I have found these few adjustments to be worth the time and effort to make them because it makes a world of difference in the weaving process.

If you have tried and true methods of organizing your weaving using handy tips such as these, I'd love to hear from you. Community is part of the fun of weaving.

Post pictures too. We'd love to see what you're up to.

Handwoven Towels

I finished the first two towels from the loom. I still have many yards to go but want to vary the color and the texture a little. I love the pattern. It's circa 1654. It comes from the canvas of the Earl of Mar. The pattern is called a Gebrochene twill and has been around for a very long time. Most likely before this listing but there isn't any proof of it before then. At least currently available.

It is a very versatile weave structure and I did a sampler first which is the larger weave made of bulky cotton yarn as the weft and 5/2 pearl cotton as the warp. It is too bulky for a nice towel but it shows a few of the possible patterns well. I then chose one and used the same yarn in the weft as the warp and the second set of photos shows the finished towels that I cut of the loom, hemmed and washed and dried and ironed. I wrapped and shipped them off to my mother for Mother's Day.

I still have many more yards to weave and plan to vary the yarn of the weft at least one more time. I am going to use a finer cotton for the weft and see what I get. So stay posted and I put those pictures up as soon as they are finished.

My Newest Herd of Hair!

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Well, it's been an exciting few days with the addition of our new puppy! He is ten months old and full of energy. The first night we brought him home, he went outside and ran and ran and ran. Finally he jumped feet first into the pool! He had so much fun!

Then the next morning we let them outside to see what they would do together. It was a bit of a gamble because Sabatchka is an alpha female and Leo Tolstoy is an alpha male. It was "let's play" right from the start! We were so shocked and pleased. Sabatchka needed a playmate in the worst way and so did Tolstoy! Now they seem inseparable except when it's feeding time and then it's a fight so we have to feed them separately. That keeps the competition out of the mix.

This is the first male dog I have ever owned but Rock is an expert and good with them. I value his opinion when dealing with problems, such as barking in the house at night. He had a great idea and it has worked. Spray with mist of water, then praise. It is having a positive effect for which we are all grateful.

Dog hair and marking his territory are all part of the male Siberian package. Pardon the pun!
Speaking of male packages, he goes in tomorrow to be Neutered. We will have to keep him down for a week and he may need a "cone of silence" (for Get Smart fans). But he has a nice big kennel for the time he has to stay down and he was from a family that kept him indoors most of the time so he will appreciate being inside more I think. This will also give the dogs a chance to miss each other because they can't play for that week either. And no swimming. Sounds like I have a sick kid, doesn't it? Well, he really is just a big kid for all his whining, jumping and throwing his weight around like he's hot stuff! And like our kids, we love the good and the bad!

I am looking forward to combing out their coats soon. They are starting to shed as is warms up so I should have plenty to spin soon. And my friend from the Alpaca Ranch has new fleeces from shearing her animals last week. I am looking forward to seeing her again. As well as seeing all her fine animals. Between these two sources for fiber, I will have my fill and then some.

If you'd like to see more photos of our fiber animals, namely, Sabatchka and Tolstoy, visit the link posted below. And happy spinning ya all!

Dogs for Spinning

That's right, you read that correctly. I have just been reading about Siberian Huskies and the most common comment that was negative was that they shed 375 days a year. Ha Ha! Yes they shed if you leave them to do so on their own. But I take mine to a dog groomer to be dehaired twice a year. Then I ask the groomer to save the down for me. I have never had trouble asking for this, and they usually are very interested in why I want the hair. When I tell them I spin the hair into yarn that I weave into dog beds, the looks on their faces are priceless.

Yes, I do spin and weave with dog hair! The best part is the dogs of all sizes love the finished product. They climb up on them, rotate a few times and then lay down for a long nap. It happened first when I made myself a handwoven purse. It was a real hit for toy poodles, terriers and other small breeds, especially the Maltese. What a hoot it was to see the owner apologize because their dog was laying on my purse and didn't want to move.

I got the idea to add the dog hair to the woven fabrics and then turn them into pet beds. Again, the success was amazing. I gave my first dog bed made of handspun dog hair to a friend who rescued a small mixed breed. The picture at the top of this blog is the recipient of my first bed. Her name is Sylvia and her "Mom" has to move the bed to whatever room she is in to keep her happy. It is her favorite spot in the house. It made her feel at home right away.

You might imagine that spinning dog hair is unpleasant because it would be scratchy. Far from it, it is the softness of a fine alpaca or cashmere. Some dogs even have a triple coat which makes it even warmer and softer. And it mixes well with other animal fibers and dyes well too. But the part that makes them good for dog beds is that the dogs can always detect even the smallest amount of dog hair in an item. After all they have a much better sense of smell than we do! Bigger noses must help. Smile!

I have a newly dyed Siberian Husky and Collie skein and have yet to use it so you will see it up close and it will give you an idea of the softness. If you are a spinner or a spindlier, if you haven't tried dog hair yet, it's well worth it to give it a shot. I really think you will enjoy the experience and the finished product may surprise you! I know it surprised me!

If you have spun dog hair, I'd love to see it and share it with my followers. Feel free to share it. We'd love to see what you have done.

That's all for now. Stay tuned for the new puppy post. More dog hair to spin. Yippee!

Unique Gifts for those Special Days

It has been a very busy last few weeks with my daughter's birthday celebrations and what not. She was adopted as a 7 year old so since that time we have birthday celebrations instead of a celebration.

This has been a fun filled few days with more to come and I am always looking for fun gifts that are unique for her. She is now 22 yrs. old and has a great sense of style. I enjoy shopping for her and have found it especially important to find that one of a kind, unique gift that surprises her and tickles her at the same time. She is full of ideas, but the surprises really go over big, so I am always on the look out for anything special. I shop on-line at for these gifts because I find I can really surprise her with gifts from Artfire. There are so many categories to look under.

Her closest friend is really into Steampunk fashions and Artfire has a trend category with all things Steampunk. My daughter likes all things involving Disney Princesses. From her first trip to Disneyland on her 8th birthday, to this birthday with Tinkerbell wrappings and pink and red decorations, she loves Disney. It is also part of her plan to have a Disney themed charades game at her birthday parties. It really is a hoot playing with all of her college friends trying to guess Disney characters and movies while eating cake and laughing ourselves silly. And, of course, she usually wins, although some of the kids are getting harder to beat than before. They must be boning up on their Disney.

Presents this year were for redecorating her room and so we found things related to Audrey Hepburn for her and new black waffle weave shower curtain and fancy shower hooks that really dress up her bathroom and make it look sophisticated and classy.

I also give her one of my own creations because it is a tradition since I started my business to make her something. The first gift was one of my purses and she still carries it around. See above for the photo of this purse. And in a few days I will post pictures of what I made for her this year. I can't just yet, because I have yet to give it to her. I am hoping to surprise her so I am sure you'll understand.

What a blessing it has been to bring Kelly into our family and make her our daughter! Yes, there have been struggles and lots of driving and tons of issues to overcome but it has all been worth it and I wouldn't change a thing. I now have one cousin that started with seven children and just adopted 3 children from Ethiopia and a best friend that is in the process of adopting 3 children from the US from one family and she already has 4 children still at home, one who is married and has a little girl of her own, and two of the four still at home are twins. It is a lively home filled with love and much joy and I encourage you to do the same if you have the means and the heart for those less fortunate. They may be less fortunate at first but it is amazing how quickly they become your own. And that makes you both truly blessed.

From our humble home to yours, blessings and lots of laughter!

Liana

Getting Ready for a Show and Life

This is always an exciting time. I love getting ready for a show. Lots of new products to display and new friends to meet.
I am still working to get my studio cleaned and my loom in working order for eight shaft patterns. It is time consuming to
do either of these and family time and chores come first making it even harder to get to them, but I am very grateful to
our Great Heavenly Father for His provisions for us and the time to do. It has been especially rewarding to be making
new friends at The Church of the Canyons in Saugus, CA. It is also great to be involved at both our sons schools. I am meeting
friends from my college days at both places and am making new friends at each. God is very good.

I am learning to be thankful in all things, because thankfulness is the opposite of complaining and I have a huge, generational
ability to complain. I find myself biting my tongue more often than not after starting a string of complaints to stop them in
mid stream. I was reminded of the verse in Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
This is my new prayer for I admit I am a recovering complainer. In the church service today, Pastor Bob said that praise and
thankfulness are the cures for a complainer, if you spend your time being thankful, you won't feel like complaining. That
sounds like a recipe for success for me. I will be giving it a try and letting you know how it goes.

As for my crafting, as I said I have much to do and so tonight is my night to spend time organizing my studio. I enjoy being
in this room. It is an admitted, very luxurious space, as it is the largest room outside of the master bedroom so there are
so many other things it could be. I feel very blessed to have it as my studio, and this Tuesday will be my second teaching
session from there. I will be teaching a fellow weaver a few beading techniques I have picked up. That will be a challenge
and great fun. I am looking forward to this time with a friend.

I will be finding out more about the craft-fair I have been invited to be part of in February. If all goes well, I may continue
to work that particular show. I haven't done many shows because they take away from family time, which is very important to
me. They can also be expensive to be part of, but the timing and cost seem to be do-able so I am ready to give it a try.
Lord willing, all will go smoothly and I know I will meet a lot of wonderful people.

Finally, to tie this all together, I offer you a blessing to go with your week ahead.
Jude 19:24&25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless
with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all
time and now and forever. Amen.