Finished Sampler

I just finished my woven sampler yesterday!  It's by no means perfect, but I like the different colors and stitch patterns.  My next project will be a woven necklace worked by pin weaving.  This is done by placing a paper pattern over cork board, pinning the silhouette, then warping the thread between the pins.  It should be an interesting project and another method to learn weaving. 

I've been reading sustainable fashion books for my other portion of my quarter contract.  The mass production of clothing didn't begin until the mid-1800's.  That's the time when sewing machines and factory looms were invented.  Fabric was so precious before then, that many individuals willed garments to future generations for the purpose of reconstruction. 

Our last (so sad) official Needlecrafts for Charity meeting of this school year will be next Tuesday.  Fortunately, several club members will be in Tacoma this summer, and plan to keep meeting. 

Have a great weekend!


Finished Woven Sampler

The Work Continues......

What a great week it's been!  We have 5 individuals knitting (and 1 crocheter) on the kids' chemo caps.  I love experiencing all the excitement with this project.  We moved to the Student Union Building on campus and it was so much more lively than the old classroom setting.  One tip for circular knitting: when casting on, cast on an extra stitch and then knit the last and first stitches together on the first row.  This will allow for a much stronger join.

Weaving has been fun.  I'm experimenting with different yarns, colors, and stitch patterns.  It's a very relaxing activity and I've gotten a rhythm going.  I love to play classical music while I work the shuttle and heddles.  My cat is enjoying the time, too.  I think he's become a classical music lover!

Enjoy your weekend!


Kim and Heather knitting in the SUB

Latest Weaving Patterns

The Loom & Chemo Caps

It's been a very busy and productive April for me!  I began my final quarter last week at The Evergreen State College.  Got my loom warped and started attending Needlecrafts for Charity.  I managed to pick up a nasty cold, too! 

I'm so excited to be working with the students in NFC.  We began knitting chemo caps for children at Madigan Hospital (our local military hospital).  Everyone seems to enjoy the colorful yarn available, as well as learning to use circular knitting needles.  I must say, circs. are my favorite to knit with.  We will meet until May 1, so we'll see how many we can knit by then.

The tabletop loom has been an interesting contraption to work on.  It took almost 6 hours to go from start to finish with warping the loom.  My professor, Gail, taught me to design a pattern for the weaving.  See pictures below.  I also have some weaving projects to do that will involve using handmade looms.  The projects are in the book Small Loom & Freeform Weaving.  It's a really informative and interesting book if you'd like to learn a little about weaving.

It's finally spring (the weather is cooperating) here in the Pacific Northwest. Yay!


Heather, Kim and Kirah discussing our budget.

Lee and Cody working on chemo caps

Pre-warped loom

Threading Chart

My first weaving