Warped

As mentioned last time, I accidentally bought myself a new toy which arrived last Tuesday. It arrived at 9.30am, which is rather good considering I only ordered it on the previous Saturday evening. Anyway, it had to sit there in its box for several hours as I was having a meeting at home with my two lovely colleagues but as soon as they'd gone I tore open that box and got building.

Here it is, my beautiful Kromski Harp Rigid Heddle Loom...

 I seem to remember some years ago saying to myself that I'd never spin my own yarn. Three spindles and two spinning wheels later I then told myself I'd never take up weaving. Oops.

It didn't take me long to get my first warp on the loom, using some Regia sock yarn that had been marinating in the stash for several years.

 This first bit of weaving was so much fun and I learned loads, especially about trying to get the selvedges nice and even, which they really weren't on this first attempt. However, I was thrilled with the fabric that came off the loom and the way the self-striping sock yarn used as the warp created pretty long stripes.

 This was off the loom within a day and I was ready and set to go with my second attempt. This time I used a pretty turquoise sock yarn as the warp and some leftover turquoisy handspun for the weft.

 The middle photo of the weaving is the closest in colour, it reminds me so much of bluebell woods and I love it!

Now, when I was in denial for so long about weaving one of the main reasons was that everything I'd heard or seen about weaving at the Guild or on Ravelry, made it seem like an extremely technical skill, involving lots of maths, complicated charts and vast amounts of new weaving language. Although I was impressed by the weaving I'd seen from Guild members I was also intimidated by it and not always very inspired. I didn't want to weave superfine silk cloth that looked (to me) like it was not hand woven as it was so flawless.

It didn't sing to me.

It seems I'm all about the texture and the colour rather than the technical aspects of weaving. I have no desire to weave a houndstooth check (yet), although I completely admire those who do.

Whilst mooching about on Ravelry I came across the Saori Weavers groups and was immediately captivated, just as I had been by the talk at Guild. This was the kind of thing I wanted to do. Here's a link to some information on Saori Weaving and a quote from that website:

What is Saori?

Saori is hand weaving that emphasises creativity and free expression. No rules, no fear – just pure absorption and immersion into weaving and working with yarn and threads. This ‘non-technique’ is meditative in nature and aims to build self worth from the process and the resulting textile'

 By now I was itching to give it a go and as soon as we got a busy weekend out of the way, the loom was warped and a bundle of handspun and ribbon yarns had been chosen.

This grew really quickly as I just couldn't stop playing and it was the perfect soothing project for a week which started with me being a bit stupid and stressed about crappity work stuff.

This proved impossible to photograph well but I'm hoping to get some better pictures soon.

So, what are my plans for all this weaving? When I started I imagined hundreds of scarves, tablemats and table runners. I've since changed my mind and am now dying to get the scissors out and start cutting into it!

My head is full of ideas for handspun, handwoven bags, cushions, purses, brooches, lavender bags - I don't intend to waste even the tiniest scrap if I can help it.

In the meantime, weaving number 4 is on the loom and nearly done and Mr Moog is very happy at the rate at which my yarn stash is diminishing :)

I'm convinced getting the loom has been a good idea, especially as all of a sudden Mr Moog has started talking craft studio plans with me again!!

love Moogs xxx