Basic Plain Weave Rug Weaving Class

Karen

I am learning how to weave rugs this week from Jason Collingwood himself! I know of no other name more associated with masterfully-woven rugs. I have found Jason to be very personable and humble, as well as an excellent, very organized instructor.

Jason graciously consented to sit down and have a conversation with me to share a few special tidbits. I will bring that to you next week! You won’t want to miss these personal insights from Jason, just for you, my friendly readers. (If you need a reason to sign up on the email list, this might be it. 🙂 )

Here are a few pictures, without captions, to give you an idea of the setting and some of my progress. The last picture is a view of Jason doing a demo on my cute little loom. (I have two more days of learning before I return home.)

20130711-213503.jpg

20130711-213634.jpg

20130711-213804.jpg

20130711-213921.jpg

20130711-214021.jpg

20130711-214120.jpg

May you find something interesting to learn.

Having fun,
Karen

You Were Made For This, Little Loom

Karen

Remember that cute little Glimåkra Ideal loom? The one we re-sized so I could use it as a workshop loom? You can read about it here. Well, it is time to take the show on the road, so to speak. Time to go meet Jason Collingwood in his basic rug weaving workshop.

Rag rugs, ready to be hemmed.
Two new rugs, ready to be hemmed.

I wove like crazy to finish off another rag rug warp, yielding two more rag rugs. That gave me one more opportunity to practice taking everything apart (with a warp on the loom) and putting it back together again, before dressing the loom with the workshop warp. Done! And not a moment too soon. Whew!

Travel-ready Glimakra Ideal loom.
Side pieces flat on the bottom; with beams, loom parts, and tools organized into bags. Ready to go!

Okay, little loom, let’s go!

May you find fun in your week.

On the road,

Karen

Now for Some Sparkle

Karen

You were created to live an exceptional life! Since there is only one you, this is your chance to shine.

Single-ply linen warp and weft, with glass beads to add to the weft.
16/1 linen in saturated colors. The blue is for the warp, and the green and magenta are for the weft. Glass beads will be woven in with the weft. (At least, that’s the plan.)

These qualities are the glass beads that make your life sparkle:

  • Humility
  • Gentleness
  • Patience
  • Unselfish Love

And if woven into the cloth, instead of just loosely attached here and there, these light-reflecting beads will endure the test of time. Such sparkles, uncommon for many, will set you apart as one created for exceptional living.

May your sparkles increase and delight the ones you love.

For good,
Karen

The Windows Are Opening Now!

Karen

Windows fascinate me. I even have a Pinterest board, Houses and Windows, because I enjoy images of windows. The windows in this cloth capture me! The fun part was seeing it happen. When I cut the cloth from the loom, I could immediately see the windows begin to form as the threads started relaxing. After letting the cloth rest a few days, the windows appeared even more. But the WOW happened when I gently kneaded the fabric in warm water, and hung it to dry. Seeing these handwoven lace windows made me silly with childish excitement!

Swedish Lace, also known as Mosquito Lace, or kneaded lace blocks
Handwoven Swedish lace, also known as mosquito lace or kneaded block lace. The spaces have opened up dramatically in the “windows” after having been gently washed and dried. Ready now for pressing.

(Compare these open windows with this before picture, while the fabric was still on the loom.)

What if we are little houses, and our soul has windows? Shall I keep the curtains closed, so no one can see in? But then, I can’t see out, either.

When I think of our grand weaver, and how he is so close by, I imagine him looking out those windows with me. He is not distant, but near. He stays involved, pointing out things he sees. Making the common and ordinary into articles of wonder and beauty. Stiff pieces of thread with a vague shape become wide open windows where the refreshing breeze blows through.

May the view from your windows be delightful.

Enjoying the breeze,
Karen

Quiet Friday: Cutest Loom Ever

Karen

We (truthfully, my husband) turned a 100 centimeter (39+”) Glimåkra Ideal loom into a 70 centimeter (27+”) loom by creating all new horizontal pieces. I can select either size loom–it is convertible! I plan to use the 70 centimeter loom for workshops, since I am able to break it down with a warp on it and and set it back up. Singlehandedly. Not kidding! Steve spent hours of measuring, cutting, creating, and fitting. All in a hot Houston garage. A lot of love went into this cute little loom. Here’s our story in pictures.

Second hand 100cm Glimakra Ideal loom
After months of searching for a second-hand 70cm Glimåkra Ideal, we found this 100cm one, right here in Houston, that was looking for a new home. So we took her in. Now, we just needed to figure out how to take her down in size. (Click picture to enlarge)
New warp beam and cloth beam for 70cm Ideal loom
Steve started with the most challenging part, the octagonal cloth and warp beams. One end is precisely shaped to fit into a round hole on the side of the loom; the other end also has the round shape, but then is squared to fit exactly into the turn handle, with a rectangular hole for the wedge that holds it in. Whew, he did it!
Horizontal countermarch made from scratch
After making all the beams, Steve said this horizontal countermarch mechanism was a piece of cake.
New pieces for 70cm loom being added: treadle beam at the back, foot rest at the front, and upper and lower lamms in the middle. No need to replace the treadles, on the floor by the old 100cm treadle beam.
New pieces for the 70cm loom being added: treadle beam at the back, foot beam at the front, and upper and lower lamms in the middle. No need to replace the treadles, seen on the floor in front of the old 100cm treadle beam.
Making warping slats
Last step before putting a warp on the cute little loom. With classical music in his ears, Steve is making 70cm slats to use for warping. The hat is to keep sawdust out of his hair. The fan is to keep him alive.
Re-sized Glimakra Ideal loom
Ready to weave! Besides being cute, this loom could well be the world’s first convertible loom. Two looms in one! Have you ever seen a loom that could convert to two different sizes? (Click picture to enlarge)
Lime Green & Blue Stripe Rag Rug from Simple Weaves
For the first warp, I used a simple plain weave draft from “Simple Weaves” (Nya Vävar) by Björk and Ignell, p.22, just long enough for two small rag rugs. This first rug, Lime Green and Blue Stripe, is happy proof that everything works!
Disassemble warped Ideal loom for traveling
One rug done, one to go. First rug is cut off, and warp ends are tied in overhand knots in front of the reed. Now I bundle up the reed and shafts with the warp beam, and completely disassemble the loom. Can I get it all back together in working order? By myself? (Click picture to enlarge)
Red Flame Rag Rug on 70cm Glimakra Ideal loom
Loom is reassembled (took me 28 minutes, 30 seconds) and Red Flame rag rug is in the making. The cherrywood ski shuttle is another one of Steve’s lovely creations.
Lime Green and Blue Stripe & Red Flame rag rugs
Two simple rag rugs, a test for this old-new loom. This cutest loom ever passed the test with flying colors, and oh so much love!

May you enjoy a quiet day of love – some old, some new.

Feeling immeasurably loved,

Karen