Day after day, pick after pick, this fabric lengthens and becomes ever more significant. As daylight dims, I stay at the loom a while longer. The rhythmic series of weaving motions is soothing. A handweaver finds calm in the complexity and delight in the detail. Challenges that arise are seen as problems to be solved.
This monksbelt table runner has been a good long conversation between the loom and me. In fifteen more centimeters (six inches) I will put the closing exclamation point at the end of this lengthy runner. The warp that remains will be my playground for some creative experimentation.
When our patience is stretched thin, when we forget why we do what we do, when hard times go on longer than we ever anticipated, we need hope. We need more than what we can gain by ourselves alone. Relationship with our heavenly Father brings hope into the fabric of our days. He beckons us to walk with him through Jesus Christ. He wants to sustain us through the long stretches of this day-by-day life. The time will come when we look back with wonder, seeing the colorful threads that have become fabric for a beautiful purpose.
May you never lose hope.
With you,
Karen
Thanks so much for your inspiration and understanding of how what we d!o is like challenges in life! Hope is eternal when placed in our Loving Father! Bless you
Hi Joyce, We face constant challenges in life, don’t we? Eternal hope carries us through.
Karen
Isn’t it amazing how our Heavenly Father knows what we need and exactly when we need it. I am starting post op day five from a mastectomy. Reading your words about hope in the fabric of our days is so true and timely. Your posts always refresh my soul. I cannot but wonder how anyone could go through the hard times of life without walking with Him our Lord and Savior. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Good morning Jo,
Over a decade ago I received an email from the wife of an outside contractor from work. Marge welcomed me to the club no one wants to belong to.
Welcome Jo.
That summer I set up my dusty 4 harness table loom on our screened in porch and wove.
When I was too tired to weave, I napped on the porch swing. Woke up refreshed and wove a little more.
By the time treatment was over, there were 23 small rag rugs ready for Christmas gifts. And, baskets of sewing scraps were put to good use.
It will get better. You are a child of God.
Kind regards,
Nannette
Hi Jo, I’m honored to be included in your healing journey. It fills me with joy to know that we walk together with the Lord.
Love,
Karen
Beautiful! I also find weaving meditative; everything about the process. I do welcome DSL time. Happy weaving, Karen!
Hi Beth, Thank you so much! You are always such and encouragement to me.
Karen
It is interesting that you have different tabby colors. I hope you will show us a photo of the finished runner.
Joanne
Hi Joanne, The variation in tabby colors is an idea I gleaned from The Big Book of Weaving. I like the movement it gives to the cloth. I will certainly show the finished runner.
Karen
Good morning Karen,
Somehow the 20 yards of carpet warp is not all the same length. It did not show up on the first 3 rugs I wove on the floor loom.
The 1st two were removed as finished. I left the 3rd rug wrapped on the front of the loom and continued onto the 4th rug. Bad idea.
There is a little play in the ~ 4″ between the pins on the warp beam. That led to loose warp on the right side of the weaving. And missed warp. There are ‘floats’ skipping 6… or more rows. 30″ into the rag rug I realized this.
Yeah.
My plan is to cut apart the rugs. The hem on the 3rd rug will be finished.
The hem and subsequent rag filler on the 4th rug will be unwoven from the cut. Then the warp will be CAREFULLY, ohhhh so carefully tied up.
Lesson learned from your last posts. Details are important.
Thank you for your forum.
Nannette
Hi Nannette, There is so much to learn. Sometimes experience is the best teacher.
Happy weaving,
Karen
I always appreciate your closing thoughts and reflections. Thank you. And thank you for this example of Monk’s Belt which I love to do. But I have not used such a close background. I have the Big Book of Weaving and went right to the project.
Hi Jeanne, That’s my favorite project from the book! I’m very glad you are along with me on this journey.
Karen