Home in Texas on the Drawloom
- By Karen
- September 15, 2020
- 25 Comments
The sky is the limit! That is my conclusion after weaving a few designs using the Myrehed combination drawloom. The shaft draw and the single unit draw systems are combined on this ingenious apparatus that is attached to an otherwise ordinary loom. The shaft draw system enables me to weave repeated patterns. The single unit system enables non-repeat patterns. This narrow warp is my playground to do both.
I use the computer to create designs. ”Home in Texas” shows the back of our house, with its massive stone chimney. The tree in the scene is a tracing of the oak tree that I pass as I walk up the hill to my drawloom studio. The airplane is a copy of the Mooney that our pilot friend took us in to fly over Enchanted Rock. I am delighted to discover that I can use a drawloom to bring features of personal meaning such as these to life.
The words of the Creator have life in them. It’s as if he puts his thoughts on the loom and weaves them into being. Let there be light! He speaks; and it is so. Listen closely. Hear the Grand Weaver say, Peace to you. And it is woven so. You are his workmanship, bringing his design to life.
May your life reveal the Creator’s design.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
25 Comments
Leave a Reply
Imagine Rag Rugs on the Drawloom
- By Karen
- December 3, 2019
- 16 Comments
Rag rug weaving on the drawloom! I can only imagine the delight. In the meantime, the drawloom is getting dressed. It takes time to group the pattern heddles into units, add lingos, thread pattern shafts, thread eight ground shafts, sley the reed, move the ground shafts and pattern shafts to their positions, and tie on. After I finish all that I can think about adding all the single-unit draw cords and finish tying up. Whew!
I became acquainted with the single-unit drawloom at Joanne Hall’s studio (see Drawlooms in Montana), but this is my first go at it on the drawloom in my studio. Because of the reward that awaits, I will gladly tackle all the tasks of dressing this loom. Weaving rag rugs on a drawloom will be phenomenal!
Joy sees hidden treasure. We go to great lengths to unearth high-value treasure. Jesus did this, seeing us as the reward. That’s what Christmas celebrates. Jesus left his splendor in heaven to come to earth as a baby. He entered this world and endured the worst because of the joy set before him. He did it all for the joy of having us in fellowship with God. We come to him and find that we are the Grand Weaver’s reward.
May your joy be full.
Joy to you,
Karen
16 Comments
-
Beth Mullins says:
I must admit that I find this mind-boggling and will be sitting back, admiring your work on this one. 😉 Amazing!
-
Hi Beth, It’s all part of the process, so it just means taking a step at a time. I enjoy the steps to get there, but I sure am looking forward to weaving this.
Thanks,
Karen
-
-
Geri Rickard says:
Ooohhh, I can’t wait to see this!
-
Janet giardina says:
Good morning Karen,
I’m just coming to the end of my first draw warp, 16/2, and I’m very curious to see the end result of using the drawloom to weave rag rugs and the 12/6 warp. Look forward to the process and end result.
Janet-
Hi Janet, Congratulations on completing your first drawloom warp! I have wondered about weaving rag rugs on the drawloom ever since I began to understand what can be done with a drawloom. I’m eager to jump in!
Happy weaving,
Karen
-
-
Betsy says:
Ooooh, I can’t wait to see how this looks!!
-
Bravo, yes, joy indeed. I have loved this type of project, but I have not put it on my loom. I look forward to seeing your photos as you progress through this warp and weave the rug.
Joanne-
Hi Joanne, Your encouragement means a lot to me. It’s comforting to know that you are looking over my shoulder. We’re going to have fun with this!
Joy indeed,
Karen
-
-
Lyna says:
Looks fascinating! How long is your warp? As complicated as dressing the drawloom looks, I’d be inclined to put on a looooog warp!
-
Hi Lyna, Yes, a long warp would make perfect sense. I’m still in the learning stages, though, so I want a lot of practice in dressing the drawloom. This warp is long enough to weave two large rugs.
Happy weaving,
Karen
-
-
Hi Karen,
I am eager to see the rag rugs you weave on your drawloom. What is the sett, using the 12/6 rug warp? and why have you chosen an 8-shaft ground weave? Your blog posts are a joy!
All the Best, Carol Berry-
Hi Carol, I’m using a 35/10 metric reed and the sett is 7 ends per cm. The ends are doubled. That’s close to 18 doubled ends per inch.
I’m using a draft by Kerstin Ålsling-Sundberg from “Damast,” edited by Lillemor Johansson. Her draft calls for the eight-shaft ground weave. When I have more experience I’ll be able to tell you why.Thanks for joining in!
Karen
-
-
Sue MacLeod says:
I really enjoy reading your blog. It is so inspirational to see all that you do. I am looking forward to see the progression of this project.
-
Hi Sue, Thank you so much! It’s a pleasure to share these weaving pursuits with like-minded people like you.
Happy weaving,
Karen
-
Leave a Reply
Process Review: Drawloom Jewels
- By Karen
- September 24, 2019
- 6 Comments
It is exciting when Maverick walks by. Although he never comes in my drawloom studio, he does stop for a moment to look my way. You’ll see him in the slideshow video below. But what happens inside the studio is even more exciting, especially when it’s time for cutting off!
This is Tuna wool, so I expect some shrinkage, but how much? I take careful measurements before and after wet finishing. Besides the main piece of fabric that I’m using for a garment, I have two sample pieces. I can experiment with the samples before wet finishing my garment fabric.
Here are my findings:
Sample 1. Hand wash and air dry.
10% shrinkage in width; 13% shrinkage in length.
Sample 2. Machine wash (3 minutes agitation on a gentle cycle, with a short spin) and machine dry (low setting) till damp, finish with air drying.
13% shrinkage in width; 14% shrinkage in length.
~How to do the shrinkage calculations~
First measurement (on the loom) minus the second measurement (after washing and drying) equals the difference. The difference divided by the first measurement equals the percentage difference.
For example, 50 cm – 43.5 cm = 6.5; 6.5 / 50 = 0.13; 13% shrinkage.
The first sample fabric is softer than the unwashed fabric, but not as soft as I’d like. The second sample fabric is beautifully soft, like a nice warm sweater. So, with confidence, I wet finish the garment fabric—with great results. It’s perfect for the fall/winter vest that I’ll soon be wearing, made from this fabric!
Enjoy this photo show of the drawloom process.
May you enjoy the process you’re in.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
6 Comments
-
Wow, that’s going to make a stunning vest!
-
Hi Betsy, Thank you! I’m hopeful that it will become a favorite thing in my closet.
All the best,
Karen
-
-
Good morning Karen,
You have been busy. Love the colors interwoven to form the base colors. Blue and green ..
I had a handed down stash of ’70s yarn. Scratchy and thick. Not something good for anything but macrame planters. But I needed rug. It was crocheted and eventually washed. The result was the softest wool imaginable.
Wool can be surprising.
Nannette-
Hi Nannette, Isn’t wool wonderful in the way it surprises us? And it’s so forgiving to work with.
All the best,
Karen
-
-
D'Anne P Craft says:
That will be a lovely warm vest, Karen. You are producing beautiful fabric on your new drawloom.
-
Hi D’Anne, This drawloom is really a treat to weave on. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Happy weaving,
Karen
-
Leave a Reply
Process Review: Dressing the Drawloom the Second Time
- By Karen
- June 25, 2019
- 13 Comments
Dressing the drawloom the second time is easier than the first time. No slip ups or confusion. Just smoothly moving from one step to the next. (Read to the end to see what to expect for July.)
With my first drawloom warp the most challenging part was distributing the pattern shafts. (See Q and A with Joanne Hall and Drawloom Dressing.) This time something clicked and the light bulb turned on. Instead of blindly following steps, I now understand what I am doing, and why. And I am having fun in the process!
Friends, It’s that time again, when Warped for Good is put on pause for the month of July.
Thank you for sharing in this journey with me!
What’s on my looms: I am near the end of the blue double weave blanket on the Standard, and I am planning a new pictorial tapestry for that loom. The drawloom is dressed and in motion. And the Ideal loom is still sitting ready for rosepath rag rugs. Also, Steve and I have a Casita trip planned that will include some leisurely backstrap band weaving.
What’s on your loom right now? Share with us in the comments.
See you the first Tuesday of August! (In the meantime catch me over on Instagram @celloweaver.)
May your second times be better than your first times.
Keep on Weaving,
Karen
13 Comments
-
Love the drawloom project! I’m getting ready to dress my loom for retro-inspired kitchen towels. Enjoy July!
-
Enjoy your July.
I will be picking currants and black raspberries out of my backyard to sell at the farmer’s market.
The weaving on the drawloom looks so warm. Ready for the autumn.
Blessings
-
Hi Nannette, I have fond childhood memories of picking black raspberries in our backyard, and eating them! Yum!
If all goes as planned, I will finish the drawloom weaving in time to make a simple vest that I can wear this autumn. …we’ll see.
All the best,
Karen
-
-
Charlotte says:
Good morning, my sweet! Weaving has been suddenly interrupted. Father’s Day – 15 minutes before the close of service – my heart began racing. No pain. It being Father’s Day, I thought I needed food. While at the restaurant, pulse 158. Wayne wanted to head to the ER…light ache in jaw. They stopped my heart and thankfully, it started on its own. 3 drugs later, I was finally in my sinus rhythm. Orders to lay low. Sleep studies. Waiting. Terrible drug reaction. Waiting. Today…sleep study in near future. Home sleep study last Thursday. Waiting. Love you and thankful I remain on this side of heaven. HE has given me a new ministry with Semper Fi Fund. We should talk! I love you!!!!!
-
Oh Charlotte, You’ve been through a lot! Hopefully, weaving will be back in rhythm for you. I’m thankful you’ve been given a way to bless others in the Semper Fi project.
I don’t want you to rush off to heaven when you still have a mission here!
Love,
Karen
-
-
Hi Karen! My loom projects are a runner on the drawloom in 35/2 linen for warp snd 16/1 for weft. It’s on a 21 shaft setup. On the other standard loom I’m just starting an easy batch of M&O towels in 16/2 cotton. I’m enjoying seeing your drawloom progress! Enjoy your July!
-
Hi Geri, Thanks for sharing! It’s great to hear what you have on your looms. I’m looking forward to putting linen on my drawloom–it may be the next warp! And more and more shafts each time. And M&O’s is one of my favorites, so pretty.
Happy weaving,
Karen
-
-
P.S. Just wanted to say my drawloom is set up on the Glimakra I bought from your former weaving teacher. The one you learned on! I forgot her name but at the time I bought it she was in the Denver area and downsizing.
-
Geri, how cool! You are weaving on the loom I learned on from Leigh? That’s a beautiful loom and such sweet memories for me. Oh, that was a special time with Leigh.
Thanks for letting me know!
Karen
-
-
Maggie Ackerman says:
Hi Karen, we moved last month and after painting every room in our downsized house, I’m still at blacking boxes and trying to do something with the smaller yard. My loom room is a nice room in the basement and unpacking will be a winter thing. However, still on my baby wolf loom is a scarf from NZ possum merino that I kept on my much pared down look room to sell the previous house. Must’ve worked cuz it sold in 5 days! Somehow I’m looking forward to winter!
-
Hi Maggie, I know how big a job moving is. You’ve got some restful times to look forward to after you get fully settled in. You will have so much fun setting up your new weaving space! No doubt that loom with lovely weaving was what sold the house! Congrats on your quick sell.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
-
-
What a great idea, to use woven bands for loom tools! I’m not a fan of weaving just to weave. There has to be a plan! Now, spinning…that’s different.
Your drawloom weaving is going to be lovely. Enjoy!
Leave a Reply
Drawloom Cords and Handles
- By Karen
- June 18, 2019
- 15 Comments
My first drawloom warp used ten pattern shafts, which was plenty. I have now installed the cords and draw handles for all fifty pattern shafts, so the sky’s the limit! (See Process Review: First Drawloom Warp)
Adding all these draw cords and handles is a big job. It involves a cord threader and scissors and time—reaching, going back and forth, measuring, cutting, tying. Over and over. It’s not hard, but it seems endless. Yet for some strange reason this job is entirely enjoyable. I feel like an architect and builder, a dreamer and investor. It’s incredible to step back and see the structure that this effort has produced. And this is merely the set up. Can you imagine the weaving prospects?!
This is how we build good structures in our lives. Intentional, persistent, focused. Listen well. Over and over. The way we speak makes a difference in the way we listen. When we speak with grace, seasoned for the hearer, we ready ourselves to listen. Our cord threader is our unselfish attentiveness to pull someone else’s thoughts and questions toward our understanding. With this beautiful structure we are ready for anything. Accomplished through the grace of God, the sky’s the limit!
May your words be seasoned with grace.
Getting ready,
Karen
15 Comments
-
Looks so complicated!
-
Hi Beth, I know it looks complicated. That’s what I always thought. I’ve been surprised to learn that it’s actually a series of simple steps to set this up.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
-
-
Oh, my goodness. The loom set up is a piece of sculpture. Precision. Symmetry one view. Asymmetrical from another direction. Soooo beautiful.
Function that is a finely tuned instrument.
Thankful for sharing.
Nannette-
Hi Nannette, Yes, It is a piece of sculpture. A fluid sculpture. You’ve given it a beautiful description.
All the best,
Karen-
At one o’clock this morning I finished weaving up the last of the rag on the overshot warp. The plan was to cut off the 3 rugs and re-tie the warp to use to explore tapestry as described in one of your more recent blogs.
Curmugeon66 uses a stick to stabilize the woven edge until it can be machine hemmed. So… I pulled out a stick. Put it on the beater bar while I pulled the 3 rugs from the loom.. You know where I am going with this.
By the time I heard the stick hit the treadles, hours of carpet warp had been pulled from the reed. It was hot and sticky and I was tired.
This morning’s Sound Bites daily devotional title was ‘Paying Attention’.
Today’s plan is to put a sewing machine hem on the rag rugs and pack them up to take to the future retirement home.There is nothing else to say… Well maybe “Praise God”
-
-
-
Lynette says:
Please send more posts on how it works! Will be eager to see! Also, how wide of a Glimakra Standard Loom is needed to fit all 50 pattern shafts? (Minimum width) It looks like it will be fun.
-
Hi Lynette, I will post my progress with this loom. My Glimåkra Standard is 120cm (47”), but I think this same draw frame fits on a smaller Standard or Ideal—maybe 100cm (39”). Someone who knows for sure can comment on this to verify.
It will certainly be fun! That I know.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
-
-
Arlene Favreau-Pysher says:
I love the spiritual aspect of weaving and being that listener…. and incorporating the other person into our being …thank you for your post. Arlene
-
Hi Arlene, Thanks for your thoughtful words!
I’m so grateful for the Lord’s grace to show us how to make others more important than ourselves.
All the best,
Karen
-
-
Annie says:
That whole set up just boggles my mind! Nannette’s description is perfect!
Hopefully, I will have an opportunity to come see this in person one day, Karen.
In the mean time, I am looking forward to some videos of you weaving with this.50?! I really don’t know if I could keep that all straight!
-
Hi Annie, It’s my hope to make some short videos of the drawloom. Thanks for the prompt.
Yes, 50 pattern shafts. That means 50 handles to pull. The more, the merrier!
All the best,
Karen
-
-
Judy says:
Karen thank you for your posts on the drawloom. I have an old countermarche loom that I would love to build a drawloom for. I find this very interesting and can’t wait to see what you do with it. I have taken a basic drawloom course. You have inspired me to get started.
-
Hi Judy, How wonderful that you are dreaming of building a drawloom for your countermarch! Dreams are where the action begins!
Happy Weaving,
Karen
-
-
Keri Mae says:
Beautiful post!
Copyright © 2020
Wow, that is amazing!
Hi Kelly, There are so many possibilities with the drawloom.
Thank you,
Karen
Mind blown! Wow!
Hi Beth, The drawloom attachment changes everything. At the root of it all, though, is normal weaving. The draw handles and cords turn it into a giant counted cross stitch machine. 🙂
Happy weaving,
Karen
Fabulous! I love seeing what you weave!
Hi Wanda, Thanks for letting me know! It’s a treat for me to have someone like you to show it to.
Have a great day,
Karen
I took a drawloom class at Vavstuga Studios in MA. I loved being able to create the designs. Would love to do more of it. Your work is wonderful
Hi Judy, That’s great that you had the drawloom experience at Vavstuga. I’m sure it was wonderful! Creating the designs on the computer has been quite a learning curve for me. I’m beginning to enjoy it. 🙂
Thank you,
Karen
Ah, so much to learn! As always your weaving is beautiful and very inspirational! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Kevin, The learning always stretches out in front of us, doesn’t it? Is your drawloom up and running?
Thank you,
Karen
Oh, wow!! Very cool.
Hi Betsy, Your gal is doing very well over here. She’s all dressed up to give loads of enjoyment – a perfect loom for this!
Best to you,
Karen
May I add, amen.
Nannette, Yes, literally, Amen – So be it.
Warmly,
Karen
There is a great deal more than the threads of fibre weaving through your blog posts and the story of your art. I catch a thread or two, sometimes in what you write; “May your life reveal the Creator’s design” and sometimes in the comments; “May I add, amen.”
Comparatively, I find my own weaving journey so intimidatingly small as I read about your journey, but then I remember the joy isn’t in comparison, the joy is in our created uniqueness.
It is fascinating – both in this created life God has given us and to share your unique contribution with you. Thank you for such detail in both photo and description. I thoroughly enjoy both.
Hi Charlene, The underlying threads you insightfully detect are at the heart of all my intentions. I’m pleased to have you join me in this little corner of the created life God has given us.
Your friend,
Karen
You have truly embraced weaving! So much to discover. When I was visiting my best friend Janet in Austin last October we went hiking at Enchanted Rock. Very special place. Be well.
Hi Shari, I’m so happy to know that my little mention of Enchanted Rock meant something to you. Having had hiked Enchanted Rock a few times, it was very exciting to get to see it from the air!
Be well to you and yours,
Karen
Lovely. How long does it take you to set up your loom? Where did you learn how?
Linda
Hi Linda, This warp took me a good 12 hours to set up. I was determined to get it done, so I spent about 3 hours, 4 days in a row. I enjoyed the process – it all seems so amazing how the systems work together. But this is why most drawloom weavers put on looooong warps. This current warp is only about 5-6 yards long because this is for planning out designs to use on larger pieces in the future. Besides, I still need the practice of dressing this loom often enough so that I don’t have to start from scratch with my memory.
I took a drawloom class from Joanne Hall at her studio in Montana. It was excellent!
All the best,
Karen
Thank you Karen.
I enjoy your posts and weaving inspirations! I hardly know what a draw loom is but it’s cool to see what you produce in it! Most particularly, your intertwining of faith through your weaving is mist inspiring. God continue to bless you!
Hi Linda, It wasn’t that long ago that I hardly knew what a drawloom was, either. It’s been an interesting learning journey.
I’m glad the intertwining of faith through my weaving experiences resonates with you.
Thank you,
Karen
All I can say is, WOW! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Connie, It’s great to share in this together! I’m pleased you like it.
All the best,
Karen