Wednesday, December 26, 2007

A Weaver Is Birthed

Yesterday was a good day, filled with family and food. We spent the day and evening at my sister's house, snuggling cute babies and telling the old family stories over again.

This morning I got up with the determination to teach myself how to warp the Rigid Heddle loom (with the aid of the Betty Davenport book and the loom's manual).

The particulars:
25" Schacht Flip Rigid Heddle Loom
Loom stand
8 dent reed (I also have the 10 dent reed and 12 dent reed)
Briggs & Little Durasport wool 1 ply yarn (16wpi)

I used the warping peg that comes with the loom, read the instructions through and referred to them often, and exercised a lot of patience. I believe I got it warped properly, though time will tell. I need to find a better chair with support for my back, and figure out good ergonomics while changing sheds so that I don't strain my back muscles.

I'm weaving a simple table runner, 14" by 26", using grey for the warp and plum for the weft. I'm also striping a few simple grey stripes on the ends.

If I can ever get the husband to set up "his" camera (gifted for Christmas) I'll get some pics up.

This is so.much.fun. I see a lot of weaving in my future, and I'm excited about weaving my handspun into scarves and vests and table linens. I plan to learn to spin cotton over the next few months so that I can weave cotton towels for the kitchen.

The day job may not survive.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Day the First

Day the first.

Solstice - a time for starting new things, welcoming back the light.

The blog title? Explained well here. (I'll make this prettier later - just wanted to get things set up and running.) It encompasses my desire for balance, harmony, centeredness - in a world that seems to contain none of those things.

This is a place for musing about fiber - spinning, weaving, knitting - and random bits of nonsense concerning cats and family.

I don't promise to update daily, or even often - this place is for me, though you're very welcome here. Have a seat and a cup of tea. You may put up your feet on the furniture and make yourself comfortable - I hope you're not allergic, because if you sit down and make a lap, it will quickly be filled with a cat or two.

Debbie
(DebbieB on Ravelry)