Weaving Challenges have something to teach us and the latest woven projects

Each weaving project  captures a certain period in our life. While we are preparing the warp threads, dressing the loom, weaving the item, countless thoughts, feelings and events travels through our mind. The woven project becomes almost a record of that period, whether through easy or challenging times, it is a testament to our lives, our perserverance and our hope. We learn in weaving, as in life, that if we work steadily through the frustrations, the disappointments, the challenges that each project brings to us, we will still produce something that others will certainly admire, eventhough we may not being having such kind thoughts about our work. The lessons we learn while weaving can very much be applied to our daily lives and relationships with ourselves and others.

Anne is featured above in front of her doubleweave afghan. She had many challenges with this. She was very enthusiastic about this wonderful hand dyed mohair yarn from New Zealand which she purchased when she was there for a few months. We discovered that doubleweave with sticky yarn/wool is not a good idea, and using a counterbalance made it even more challenging. The project started out with the intention of being a cape, and due to the challenges, Anne decided to make it a throw. Anne responded to last week's blog and said:  "Thank you for this wonderful posting. It was very meaningful to me, as is your wise friendship. I finished my blanket, and it looks really lovely. I have decided to give it to Phil, my husband, as his 60th birthday present. I will tell him how this weaving project is similar to our relationship - imperfect, difficult in the making, but beautiful, warm, and worth the effort. I wanted to give up on it, and I now so appreciate your heartfelt encouragement to persist and complete it......" What you have said here Anne, I know inspires us all!

Gert Rogers completed this afghan for her daughter in Lemieux 2 ply.  She is making another for another daugther. Gert asked me why I write the blog. It's easy for me because you, and each student, what they say, how they react, what they do, inspires me and I enjoy writing about and sharing what inspires me.

Registration for the Spring weaving classes has begun. Please register asap. At risk are the evening classes in particular, Monday evening. If you have a project on a loom and are intending to complete, please get your registration in immediately. Spring weaving classes start Wednesday March 28 and Monday April 2. The special course offered for Wednesday evening is Painted Warp off and on Loom. Registration for this is directly with me (Line Dufour).

We love the versatility and gratification we get from the 12" Ashford Knitters Loom. We can whip a project up quickly and satisfy our weaving cravings! This is Michelle Dubois' first knitters loom project. If you like small looms, check out the Ashford Katie Loom....an 8 harness sampler loom. http://www.ashford.co.nz/newsite/weaving-wheels-looms/102/weaving/katie-table-loom/moredetail.html . If you'd like to order it, I'll give you $50. off and free shipping as the special of the day.

What is nice about weaving with other people around you is the positive energy it creates. Janice has been working on her family tartan blanket and another student left her a lovely and admiring note. Kate sent me an email saying : "I have really enjoyed this weaving that I am working on. And it is nice to just be working away back there and kind of listening to conversations. Last week a lot of people stopped by to see how my little weaving was going. That was very nice of them." We should have a picture of Kate's latest 'postcard' series soon.

Lynne Wilson-Orr just finished her tapestry sampler. This photograph does it no justice. She's off this spring to learn tapestry weaving with Maximo Laura in Peru. If you think you'd be interested in such an adventure go to : http://www.puchkaperu.com/. Debbie Harris has already been and loved it. Judite Vagners is also going, another weaver who regularly attends our classes.

LINKS YOU SEND ME

Weaving in nature video sent to us by Rose Ruffolo: http://www.snotr.com/video/7331/The_Living_Bridge. You never know just how well your weaving skills might might save the day!

Cheryl Kerfoot sent me this link about miniature weaving. There is a big market for well made miniature handwoven items for doll houses. http://www.weevings.com/. Cheryl has taken classes with this person.

See you next week!

Simplicity

Scarf woven by Wendy Hayden on her knitters loom. Alpaca, silk, merino.

Over the last few weeks distress, agitation and stress were palpable in the weaving class at times. Quite a few of the people taking my weaving classes are faced with challenging situations, in their personal life, in their health, in relationships, and sometimes all of that walks into the room with them, understandably. Which bring to mind a figure drawing class I took many many years ago with a teacher I had a lot of regard for. He would say to us, before you come into the room, wipe your shoes at the door, meaning, leave your troubles behind you for the time you are in the room. I know this worked for me. Perhaps this is why everytime I walk into the classroom, my troubles seem distant. This strategy may not work for everyone, nor am I expecting it to, but I have come to see though, that most of us come to the weaving class and find it a sanctuary, a break in the what can be a stormy period in one's life, a safe haven, a quiet respite, a slowing down where we can catch our breath and 'hear' what we are thinking.
More knitters looms scarves by Wendy Hayden, given as Christmas presents.
I feel I am fortunate to have the kind of 'job' where it is safe for me to be a caring and supportive person. How lucky can I be. I feel privileged even that people sometimes feel it is safe for them to share whatever they are going through. I've always found it easy to listen to others, to understand, to feel compassion, and with some, a deeper connection, a kindred spirit. These people who are taking my classes are more than just students - they are a friend and I am theirs.
Knitters Loom scarf by Maureen Krinicic
Coming to my weaving, and others are discovering this for themselves, becomes almost a meditation - a training of the mind to focus on one thing, one activity, eventhough our mind might want to be running in many directions with our thoughts, feelings, and ideas. To exercise the discipline to remain in the activity, the process, to bring one's focus back to the weaving, is good mental training, and I have seen my levels of concentration and focus increase as I continue my weaving practice.

Knitters loom scarf by Cheryl Yetman

Doing this activity bit by bit we feel the calm come over us - and the sense of inner peace that comes with that if only tempararily. The simplest of activities and moments can provide us with a moment of grace and consequently, provide us with deep and valuable insights that we need to have about ourselves, others, and life. This sitting with our weaving, this quiet time, cuts out finally all the noise and business going through our heads, and brings us to a place where we have gratitude to be alive in this moment.

Knitters Looms scarves by Cheryl Yetman

Because my theme this week was simplicity I thought the Knitters Looms scarves people were making these past few months would be good to feature. If I have made any error with names and the scarves I have attached to them, let me know as it was before Christmas that I took these photos. I am looking forward to seeing some tapestries woven on the Knitters Loom....which I'll feature here as soon as they are.

Knitters Looms come in 12" and 20" widths. They can be outfitted with 5, 10 and 12.5 rigid heddles. They already come with a 7.5 dpi. You can also purchase a stand for the knitters loom separately. You can choose to buy it with a bag, or without. A Knitters Loom DVD is also available as well as several books filled with projects. All of these things can be purchased through me.

In closing I would like to include some links that people send me to include in my postings:

First Donna Kim sent this link from the Marilyn Dennis Show about how to wear and tie scarves http://www.marilyn.ca/Fashion/segment.aspx/Daily/January2012/01_27_2012/ScarvesandBelts2

She also has weaving studio space, complete with weaving equipment provided, for rent. The studio would be shared with herself and another person. If you are interested please contact me at tapestryline@sympatico.ca and I'll send the info.

Rose Ruffolo shared this link - an article about a weaver in the U.S.

http://http//www.therepublic.com/view/story/7bce5bb2cb244a77a6158242df5e6f40/AK--Bulletproof-Art/
Until the next time!

Line

Weaving Fast?

This weaving session two 'beginner' students finished their sample in record time. On average it takes most people 8 classes to complete their sampler. Two people deserve special mention for being on a mission to complete the sampler and move on to learn much more. First, Cassandra, who is also studying at University, and comes during the day class. She completed hers in 6 classes. In this photo, Neil Brochu who completed his sample in 5 classes. He is drawn to linen and wants to learn as much as he can about it. He works for the city of Toronto, with historic textiles as they relate to the various historical houses in Toronto. He says we can go to his workplace as a field trip and he will show a part of the city's collection. We are looking to do that at the end of the spring weaving session, which would be somewhere around the beginning to mid June. That will be so awesome!
The Fall weaving classes end dates are the following. For Monday classes the last class will be December 5 and for Wednesday classes the last class will be November 30. For the winter session a study group will be formed and a course of preparation for weaving Ikat, Shibori, painted warp, and woven shibori. During the winter session, we will get 4 warps prepared using either tencel or bamboo. The dyeing itself will be a separate workshop the location and time announced at a later time but will occur during the summer months, tentatively in August or early September. The fourth warp will be woven as is during the winter and/or spring session in plain weave. This is available for people signed up for the winter and/or spring weaving classes. If you have any questions please ask. Specifics will be provided when you sign up. While you are making preparations for this initiative, you should still consider having a separate project as the preparations may not take up all of your class time. I can take your egistration for winter classes while you are in class, or you can sign up with the TDSB and they will start taking registrations November 21st 2011.
I most often feature fabric weaving as usually the projects are quicker to complete than tapestry weaving. I thought I would shine the spotlight on some of the tapestry weavers in the class who have been steadfastly plodding along on their tapestries. In this photo, the tapestry by Walter Rothenburger, the image from one of his own photographs.




Debbie Harris is making headway with her Navajo inspired rug woven with the tapestry technique. It looks like she has just about 2' done. Just a little more inspiration in the tapestry weaving area. Here's a short 2 minute video on a tapestry be cut off from the loom and it is quite an event. All in French but if you don't understand you can still understand what is happening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II_0YiwtWTE&mid=5248



From the Knitters Loom
Here Judy's first project ever woven on her 20" knitters loom. She used a 12.5 dpi rigid heddle. The towel is woven with 4/8 cotton. The only disappointment is that the red bled when she washed it. Try soaking it in a cup of vinegar and a gallon of water and that should stop the bleeding.
Francois kindly emailed me to let me know how you can enlarge a picture to see more detail. His suggestion was to increase the pixel ration, which I tried, but the pictures wouldn't load.
The One of a Kind Show is coming up soon. It will be from November 24 to December 4. My booth number is R-06. Not only do I feature my own work, but also have a tapestry line collection, where I offer for sale, locally woven, knit and felted scarves and shawls. For more info about the show go to http://www.oneofakindshow.com/.

Taking on New Challenges

It's been exciting to watch my weaving 'students' take on new challenges in weaving. Some take them on fearlessly, others with more trepidation, but still most remarkable is that they take them on at all. As they have discovered, preparing one's weaving projects is fraught with all kinds of possible unforseen setbacks, threading errors, the needs of the fibres they are working with, and the goals they set for themselves. Most people learning to weave are looking mostly to perfect their technical skill, a good place to start one's journey in weaving. After that many want to learn other technical knowledge in weaving, for instance understanding the different weaving structures like overshot, M's and O's, Monks Belt, Huck and on and on the list goes. Learning about weaving is also about exploring and experimenting with different fibres, structures and then also, sometimes breaking the rules just to see what will happen, and hopefully be pleasantly surprised.
Judite Vagners has spent many years perfecting her technical weaving skills and knowledge. Some of her journey has been about using what she has learned to create traditional Latvian costumes. Of note is the belt or strap that is Card woven, and which is sometimes called Tablet weaving. Many different cultures around the world use the technique of Card weaving. In Card weaving you can only weave strips, so its ideal for bracelets, belts, and straps. Incredibly detailed and complex designs can be created using the Card Weaving techniques. It's very portable which is its great advantage.

Agota Dolinay wove these handsome Alpaca scarves. The subtlety of the design is breathtaking when seen up close. I'm sure this digital photo isn't doing it any justice but I hope you can get a sense of its beauty.









Marion Kirkwood has a friend who recently returned from Liberia where groups of women harvest raw cotton, spin it themseleves, dye the cloth, and sew the strips of cloth together. We're hoping her friend will send us pics of the women in Liberia actually going through the process and I'll post them here if she does.

Lastly, more projects from the very popular and much loved Ashford knitters loom. Cheryl Yetman has woven this fine cloth on a knitters loom and it is surprising the quality of the weaving that can be accomplished with it.
Kate Kitchen has been weaving dozens of scarves on her knitters loom, shown below and she has been having a very fun time exploring textures in fibres. Nowadays there is such a wide array of fibres to inspire us. Kate takes an unusual approach to weaving and her fresh approach is perhaps because she is a tapestry weaver and sees weaving in a painterly manner. The knitters loom can also be used to weave tapestries which is very good news for tapestry weavers, because of its portablility. On that note I'll take my leave and look forward to sharing more with next week!

Doubleweave workshop, explorations with the knitters loom

The last 6 months have been a whirlwind of projects and explorations. January started with our Doubleweave workshop sampler . In this photo Laura Dymock is working her way through the sampler. We used a 4/8 combed cotton. Results were best if you chose strong contrasting colours so that one could see what occurred with the different treadling and colour sequencing. Most participants were really satisfied with the results and what they learned. We especially enjoyed the doubleweave pick up, a finger manipulated technique allowing you to create your own design. You too can do the sampler if you wish, during upcoming sessions. I've created the handouts so that you can work on your own and get instructor input as any uncertainties and questions come up.


Another part of the doubleweave sampler, the white horizontal columns were stuffed forming ribs. It might be useful for a rug technique for instance. The sample above it was called Quilting. This would be good for placemats for its density and sturdiness and decorative designs which you can create yourself.

Exploring Ashford's Knitting Loom














We have also fallen in love with Ashford's Knitters Loom, which I have mentioned in other blog posts. It's quite amazing how versatile it is and we explored the infinite range of possiblilites that we one can weave on this loom. Because of the excitement we all felt for this very cutest of new looms, I created a handout listing, explaining and illustrating the many weaving techniques you can use on this loom. Above, Kate work's on her first knitters loom project and is setting up on the left. On the right, a bunch of scarves she has sinced woven on her knitters loom, and has since done many more! Below, are 2 scarves woven on the knitters loom by Cheryl Yetman. Cheryl likes to make cowl type scarves and this black and white one is an example of this, here modeled by Marion Kirkwood. The scarf beside it is also one of Cheryl's scarves done on the knitters loom with a sock yarn (Footloose). So you can see that one can weave thick and novelty yarns as well as with fine yarns. Cheryl recently purchased an inexpensive part you can attach to the knitters loom to turn from a 2 shaft loom into a 4 shaft loom so that means one can weave many more patterns than those that only 2 shafts can give you. It requires a 2nd rigid heddle to make this work.














Lastly, a triangluar shawl made on a triangular loom by Kate Kitchen, modeled for us by Maureen Krinicic. The colours of spring and the garden!

There are many more pictures to share with you from these last 6 months of weaving together, so stay posted and next week I'll continue reporting live from my studio on your many wonderful projects.

Warp woes and herculean projects

Warp Woes (wars?)
Jill certainly deserves a medal for having the patience to endure the trial and tribulations this warp has created in trying to weave her shawl project. She used a lace weight yarn and we have discovered firstly, that it breaks too easily under the tension of a warp. In addition, I also failed to advise Jill at the start (likely because there was a lot of other things going on in the class) that it would have been technically better to wind this warp with the back to front method, however that would not have caused the problem that we see here, which is that the warp threads have an uneven tension as as one progresses through the weaving, the uneven warp threads become looser and looser. The only way around this is stuffing cloth where you need to increase the tension of the threads, but only at the back. Jill is almost finished this shawl and it will be a very sophisticated and elegant shawl despite all the trouble it has given her.

Another herculean project

Donna rose to the challenge to weave on the 60" loom. How long did this take you Donna? Did you start last spring or in the Fall of 2010? She is, rightly so, very proud of her achievement and looking at the blanket was hypnotic as it was a variegated twill. You can see how lively it is in the detail below. Donna used Lemieux 2 ply yarn which comes in about 50 colours and is relatively inexpensive at $5.25 a skein. She made the blanket longer than intended because our calculations provided her with some extra length.

detail of Donna's blanket

More projects from the Knitters Loom

Cheryl Yetman and a number of us are addicted to the spontaneity and simplicity of using this loom which is so portable and just plain ol' cute. These were the first projects that Cheryl attempted on her knitters loom with a lemieux 2ply warp and then using assorted knitting yarns she had in her stash at home. The colours are very spring like.

Bamboo

Incredibly this is Cheryl Yetman's first project on a floor loom. She has only recently started weaving seriously last Fall and she has hit the ground running. This is an undulating twill that imitates an overshot pattern found in the Handweavers Pattern Directory. Woven with 2/8 bamboo yarn, this fabric that will be made into a shrug feels luscious and satiny.

Blossoming weaving students

It always gives me immense joy to watch my weaving students and participants flourish and blossom in the their weaving skill and creativity. This weaving session was no disappointment in that way and their blossoming continues to keep the flame of my own enthusiasm for weaving burning. The more I learn about weaving, the more I see how much there is to learn, so the teaching the weaving always keeps me immensely challenged. However, as most of us would agree, it isn't enough to only learn about weaving, and the lessons are only absorbed when we are actually doing the weaving, and talking to each other about it.

Maureen Krinicic - 2/8 cotton tea towels. Pattern taken from Handwoven magazine.






The next 3 scarves were also woven by Maureen. Like many of us, Maureen fell in love with the 12" Ashford Knitters Loom. It's just too cute and folds up and carries easily and lightly. It even fits underneath an airplaine seat as carry on luggage! It comes with a 7.5 epi rigid heddle. You can get different sized rigid heddles: 5, 10 and 12. The 12" knitters loom is $233 plus tax and $267 if you want it to come with a carry bag that we all agree is very elegant. We like it because it allows us to be more spontaneous and creative with the fibres as opposed to the amount of time, planning, and forethought required to weave more complex projects. It's defintely 'mindless' weaving, the kind you can easily do while being constantly distracted by people, or while watching TV. You can order one through me (Line Dufour) at tapestryline@sympatico.ca. The knitters loom also comes in a 20" width.















more scarves done on the 12" Ashford Knitters loom by Maureen.














Gail Sheldon has been very inspired in the last several months. She wove this tryptich in record time. I like the irregular lengths of the tapestries. I also like that Gail creates her own original designs. She is always very clear about her own creative intentions and vision.

Presently she is working on a flower series, starting with the tulip below. Again one of her own designs. She has used paternayan yarn for all of these tapestries. The tulip piece measures approximately 10" x 12".