Color Inspiration

The problem with having more than one loom is that you must divide your time between looms. Monksbelt has been on the big loom a little too long, since the baby loom has had most of my attention lately. That means little progress for this extra-slow weave.

Monksbelt on the Glimakra Standard loom.
Two shuttles take turns gliding across the warp.

Now that the baby loom is empty I am getting some good weaving time on the monksbelt. When I look at the loom, the whole task seems too big. But these colors are invigorating. When I pull out a few Fårö wool colors for the next treadling sequence, I forget my complaints about this taking too long. When I sit on the loom bench and start weaving with these colors I am inspired to keep going.

Colorful monksbelt. Karen Isenhower
Red ground weave gives a strong background for graded blues and violets.
Monksbelt on the loom. Progress!
Progress is seen as fabric rounds the cloth beam below.

Your words can be like these colors, giving someone the vitality they need to finish well. Your pleasant words are like honey to a weary soul. Pleasant words go deeper than you think. They bring needed inspiration when someone cannot see the end of a challenge. Your words may be the color palette that inspires your friend or loved one to keep going.

Monksbelt on the loom. Karen Isenhower
Many options for sets of color.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
– Solomon

May your pleasant words reach the weary.

With love,
Karen

4 thoughts on “Color Inspiration

  1. Hi, Karen,
    What kind of fiber are you using and what is its size?. . . 3/2? My very first scarf had a pattern that advanced only 3/4″. That was slow going, but gave me a meditative mind set. I always felt rested after my time at the loom. I used the same warp and pattern sequence for a second scarf, but used a much larger weft in a different fiber and color. It went quicker of course, but I was most impressed how the pattern seemed to change with a different color. I appreciate how sharing these little things construct the design process. Thanks for the insight, and the inspiration to call my friend.

    1. Hi Pam,
      The warp and the ground weft is 16/2 cotton. The pattern weft is 6/1 Fårö wool. The 16/2 cotton weft is what makes this slow going. The ground weave on this is supposed to be weft rep, which should cover the warp almost completely. Mine probably isn’t quite weft rep, but it is definitely weft-faced. A coarser weft would certainly weave faster, as would a balanced weave, where the warp and weft are evenly interlaced. But it wouldn’t look or feel the same as this cloth. And, like you say, is a different weaving experience – not as meditative.

      I’m so pleased you were prompted to encourage a friend.
      Happy weaving,
      Karen

Leave a Reply to Pam Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *