Weaving

 

I have had an interest in traditional crafts for a long time. Perhaps it is the nostalgic romantic perceptions of a slower time or the fact that many implements of such crafts - spinning wheels , weaving looms etc were beautiful and functional objects in themselves. Several years ago on a holiday trip , I eagerly purchased a weaving loom . It was a simple Ashford rigid heddle loom . It was placed into my arms all neatly boxed up  and I was delighted. I ignored the comments of others on my holiday, who suggested the notion of "white elephant" .I was instead enthralled with the prospect of lovely rough textures hand woven fabric. I anticipated the wonderful clicking sounds that a working loom makes. It was to be a long time before that loom could be unpacked and set up . But it was the start of a life long love for the loom. I have since bought several others from simple frame looms . to the rigid heddle loom and to the wonderful 4 shaft loom. I still have my eye out for an affordable floor loom with foot pedals.

I have not had the benefit of practical teachers but I have gleaned what I know from books and online weaving friends who always amaze me with their gentle willingness to teach and explain what must be for them the most simple of things. These ladies weave wonderful things on their looms of varying sizes. They are able to design wonderful patterns and create expanses of unique cloth from the work of their own hands. I simply love this notion. To take and create something truly wonderful.

I am moving towards using only my own home spun yarn - created on my spinning wheel- to use in my weaving but for the moment I am working on using up my stash of yarn scraps .I learn very much through trial and error. At the moment I am weaving a colourful runner with a pattern called hop scotch . This involves a doubling of weft thread across the warp threads. It creates a lovely closed even weave. I am enjoying seeing how this unfolds.

I still have so much to learn - but the wonderful resource books I have will lead me through this process. I have promised Greg one day an lovely handwoven cloak . Homespun yarn dyed from native bush dyes and hand woven with love.

For those of you interested- my loom in the pictures is a Teko Teko loom - made in New Zealand. This small and study loom made in beautiful native Rimu also converts into a 4 shaft and inkle loom. It is set up as a rigid heddle a the moment.

I hope you enjoy seeing what I am working on.