Weaving with Handspun: First Big Project

I started this project by spinning a lot of yarn.  Two-ply for the warp (1700 yds of Romney) and single ply for the weft (3200 yds of Romney lamb/alpaca).  I got these numbers from my calculations of what it would take to make 5.5 yds of cloth, 18 inches wide, at a sett of 15 e.p.i. (Ends, or warp threads per inch.)

Next I dyed the yarn and sized it with rabbit skin glue.

Wound the stiff, sized yarn into many balls.

Warped the Schacht Wolf Pup LT loom for sampling.

Samples.  I thought I'd weave the cloth in a houndstooth twill but I didn't like how the sample turned out (top sample).  My weft yarn was a single ply and there were slight variations in thickness - the variations didn't work well in herringbone.  So, I tried other combinations until I found one I liked.  I had to cut off the sample, re-thread the heddles and re-sley the reed and tie the new warp onto the cloth beam. 

Once I was sure of what I wanted I warped the loom and started to weave.  I broke six warp ends during weaving and repaired each one according to the instructions in LEARNING TO WEAVE.  For my next big handspun weaving project I'm going to use commercial yarn in the warp - I spent a lot of time worrying about fraying and breakage.  I also spent a lot of time spraying starch on the warp to make it even stiffer.  I don't know if it helped or not. 

One week later...

Before washing my fabric measured 5.5 yds by 17 inches wide.  It is soft with a nice hand and the perfect weight for a tailored wool vest.  I soaked the fabric in hot water with Woolite, swished it a little, and rinsed.  I laid it out flat to dry and can't wait to cut into it!

Here are my thoughts on my first big weaving project.  I'll do it again, and soon.  I'll use commercial warp next time and I'll double the ends at the edges because those seemed to break the most easily.  I overestimated how much warp yarn I'd need and underestimated on the warp.  I AM GLAD I SAMPLED.  For a diehard non-swatcher, this is big.

I feel like Pioneer Woman!!!  And it all started with a little Cricket Loom...

Schacht Cricket: Stash Reduction Part Two

The Aura is in a box in my workshop.  Just thought I'd let you know :-)

Here is all the stash reduction I have been doing with my Cricket Loom over the past couple of weeks.  I have scarves, coasters, and even made fabric for the Little Hippie Vest.

I was not sure I'd like weaving because compared to my passion, (lace knitting) it seemed very boring.  BUT I was wrong on both counts.  It is a lot of fun - very relaxing.  I can finish a project in a couple of days rather than a couple of weeks.  I can use up yarn - it takes much less yarn to weave a scarf than it does to knit one.  And I can carry on a conversation while I work (unlike lace knitting DON'T TALK TO ME I'M COUNTING!!)

Yesterday I got a delivery of looms from Schacht.  I have 6 Cricket Looms, a 15" Flip Loom, and a 20" Flip Loom.  If you're interested in learning to weave and prefer to own the best quality rigid heddle loom available, send me an e-mail or give me a call.  The Crickets are $140, 15" Flip is $235, and the 20" Flip is $255.  All of the looms are portable and easy to assemble.  They're made of beautiful, SOLID maple and the kits include a warping peg, 8 dent reed, heddle hook, shuttles, and instructions for warping and a couple of practice projects.  FREE shipping!  And the Flip looms come with a free gift of yarn and a lovely "how to" book with multiple small projects.  Stash Reduction Rules!!

Handspun and Handwoven: What Can I Make?

I love my Cricket Loom!!!!!  It's small and portable and quick to warp.  I don't use a lot of yarn for a project, and the weaving goes much MUCH faster than knitting a similar scarf or piece of fabric.

I've made scarves, plaid coasters, more scarves, a belt and (sound of happy dancing feet) enough fabric to make a toddler-sized vest.  I call it "The Little Hippie Vest".  I lined it with soft, washed linen and made a pair of little khaki shorts to match.  Now all I need is a little hippie.

The yarn I used was the same corespun alpaca as I used in the scarf only this time I warped the loom with a finer yarn (Aunt Lydia's Crochet Bamboo) and used a higher sett (that means, more stitches per inch).  After washing and drying and ironing the piece, I laid out the pattern pieces and CUT my weaving.  Ok, yes, it felt evil.

A few hours later I had this outfit.  And I had used up a very so-so orphan yarn. And I had moved one step closer to TOTAL addiction to a wonderful new craft.