Rocky Top Weaver

It has been almost a year since my last post and yes, shame on me.   Life gets too busy some time.  I can't wait until retirement, but from what I  hear, life will be even busier.  But busy with my weaving and fiber animals. Here is a variety of pictures of things that have been in progress over this last year.  Hannah Blanket / Throw - Tuna Wool - Double Weave Lunatic Fringe - napkins, dishtowel and place mat project - Plain Weave and Rep Weave Pendleton - Tuna Wool scarf with Rayon bumpy fun yarn for white stripe. Bockens Linen - Shadow Weave table runner Krokbragd Rug / Wall Hanging  I was able to sneak up to the ANWG Conference this year.  My mini-education/vacation in Bellingham, Washington.  It was a perfect time of year to go and had a great time with 500+ other fiber enthusiasts.  I learned a lot and got very inspired.  

Spring has finally arrived here in Oregon.  Our fields are full of flowers and lots of green grass.   Time to let the natural lawn mowers do their job, while enjoying the sunshine. New "kids on the block" ~ cute ones at that with fresh haircuts. Jazz Spyder Old Zeke  They should look a little better come fall, after some grow out.

Finally done and hanging on the wall.   Don't want the dogs to lay claim to it. Fresh off the loom and ready to do the real work, with all those ends and edge finishing! Another section done with more colors. Can't wait to get this off the loom to see all the colors blend through the rug.

After multiple trials and errors, I think I got it!  Patience has been a good lesson, too. This weave is a simple 3 harness pattern however, the secret is in how you tend to the selvedges. Figuring it out was a challenge, but well worth the effort. Almost half way and more pictures to come.

The Saddle Blanket turned out very soft, bright colors and it will never see the back of a horse.  The wall is it's destined spot for now.   Another project that the dogs would love to turn into dog blanket. Wool rugs are on my bucket list of projects to do.  Having done rugs before, but all were warp faced.  These will be weft faced and what I call a "slow weave".   Lots of wool and not enough time, but I am working through it as I can. Navajo rug design in saddle blanket - Macomber Loom Collingwood Rug Wool Krokbradg - Norwegian rug design - Glimakra Loom Halcyon Rug Wool I am weaving these rugs in parallel, just to see the difference in structure and level of complexity.  Both are keeping me on my toes and I am loving the results so far.

This summer for some reason has been exceptionally busy.  Not sure why, life just gets in the way sometimes.  Hopefully things will start slowing down and I can get back to doing what I love....weaving and seeing what catches my eye to make.  Lots of ideas and NEVER enough time. These are the latest colors I am working with.  16/2 Linen.  I have high hopes for this project in a shadow weave.   The progress has been slow.   I was able to get some weaving done last weekend.  So far this variation of Shadow Weave is turning out nice and very bright.   The linen is a crisp fiber and it is turning out beautiful.  Hopefully, when it is all said and done it will be a table runner. The final product.  It was a slow weave, but I learned a lot. 

After admiring many scarves over the last couple of years, I have finally decided to take the plunge and play with the Shadow Weave structure.   This is my attempt.  Just sampling and trying to get the sett right.  Pattern is from Jan/Feb Handwoven 2012.   In another color combo and I like it too... The finished product !!  

This weekend we are headed down to one of the biggest fiber festivals in Oregon. Good way to spend a Saturday, rain or shine. http://www.blacksheepgathering.org/index.html I won't come home empty handed.   My friend who is a avid weaver, spinner and dyer will make sure of that.   Look what followed me home....  Color and lots of it!  Mostly Merino and Silk with some Alpaca thrown in.  Time to weave some scarves.