March Show and Tell

As promised, some more photos from the March meeting. If I attribute anything to the wrong person, please let me know; I don't wish to offend anyone. My memory seems to have a mental block sometimes, especially in matters other than weaving.

Above and below, teatowels by Chris - generous size, various cottons and cottolin, various patterns - no two the same.

Above and below, glorious throw for Joan's grandchild number eight! Jewel colours, delightful patterning and cosy soft handle.

This had started life as a demonstration and "have a go" warp for Wool 101. Several young people had a great time learning to weave on it. Now Chris has woven it off and is asking for suggestions for its use. One possibility is shown below.

Definitely a man's scarf, Rose wove this one in baby alpaca with white silk stripes. Wider than usual, it still weighs less than 100g.

I hope I am correct in attributing this lovely shawl to Jolet. The work is beautiful - so neat, and the beads on the edge are a great finish. The colour sequence comes from a variegated yarn.

Welcome to Autumn

The topic for the March meeting was Summer and Winter. Anne had sent for Cross Country Weavers' samples which arrived in abundance. There was a great selection to show how versatile this technique is. Chris and Joan had each set up a table loom in S&W so everyone could have a try to see how it works. Betty had already been experimenting on her loom and had done several variations on her sample warp.

Betty's excellent sampler. Note the many CCW sample cards on the table.

Two looms, two different possibilities for Summer and Winter

This topic was in preparation for a Summer and Winter workshop some of our members were planning to attend following the Education Event in Nelson in May. Unfortunately the coronovirus problems besetting the country (in fact the whole world) have caused the cancellation of this event along with many others.  All is not lost though . . . there is plenty of time to study and practice  so that our members will be ahead of the game when it eventually gets rescheduled. 

More photos in a few days.

Wrapping up the February meeting

Although there were a couple of other pieces of Show and Tell, they are destined for the Challenge at the Nelson "Sun, Sea and Sand" Education Event coming up in May so they will stay under wraps for now. Other members are working on their entries.

What's on the Bobbin Cottage loom? This time it is warped up ready for weaving with either rags or roving. This is a new concept for our newer weavers but is back where a number of us started. Here is Joan showing a fleece rug that must be over forty years old. These things just don't wear out . . . but it is nice to replace them every now and then. On the loom is a more colourful version but the technique is the same. It is hoped lots of people will "have a go."

An added bonus this time was a beautiful Stansborough Gotland throw brought along by Cherrie. The warp was in three shades of grey and the weft a lovely soft blue.

After we all admired the colours and the handle, the inevitable question arose . . . could we weave that pattern? How many shafts would it need?

Out came the pen and the back of a grocery docket to make a rough sketch of the weave . . . and yes, with eight shafts we could do this. A tidy version of the draft was later produced on the computer.

I don't think any of use will be going into competition with Stansborough, but it's nice to know how things are done and that we can learn from every new thing we see.