Creative Fibre at Heritage Day, Brayshaw Park, Blenheim, February 6th 2011

Joan weaving Ikat.

by Chris Beech

Teatowels, by Rose Pelvin

Finally the teatowels I started in October are finished. I did the hemming while on Grandmother duty in the school holidays. The warp and weft are both Nialin, 60% cotton, 40% linen - a yarn I really like for teatowels; it doesn't need anything more than a plain weave. The sett I use is 18 epi and I usually sley it 2, 1, 2, 1 in a 12 dent reed and the reed marks wash out. This time I had a 10 dent reed in so, instead of changing it, I sleyed it 2, 2, 2, 2, 1. You can see in the photo that the reed marks did not wash out this time, which gives it a bit of an interesting texture but I'm not sure I like it. It seems to be neither one thing or the other. At least I will have something to put on show on Heritage Day.

Waitangi Day Sunday 6 February is Heritage Day at Brayshaw Park where Marlborough Creative Fibre has its headquarters. It will be well worth a visit to have a look at what else goes on in the park as many local groups meet and carry out their activities there. If nothing else it will be an entertaining site to see us all dressed up in 1940s/50s gear. So come along and join in, "have a go" at a craft you may not have tried before, browse the crafts and also the produce and baking stalls and have a good day out.

by Rose Pelvin

Modification to Comments Options

This blog has been inundated with unattractive commercials in the last 10 days. I have disabled the "Anonymous" option for the foreseeable future. If you would like to leave a comment and do not have Blogger and other accounts to identify yourself, please use the Name/URL option.

Blog Mum

EDIT:  I forgot that if I take out the Anonymous option, the Name?URL option goes, too, SO INSTEAD ALL ANONYMOUS comments will be deleted.  Please stick with the Name/URL option.

Book Cover, by Jan Hannay

Jan Hannay and I had a fun morning when she made good her promise to turn her mirror image tapestry into a book cover.

by Rose Pelvin

"Deflected Doubleweave # 2 - Two Grays Scarf", by Judy Bool

For my second version of the draft in the 2007 Handwoven magazine (issue 133) I chose a 74/2 2ply merino yarn. Both shades of gray were used double in the warp and weft, set at epi and ppi of 20. This is the same set as my first version but it gave this scarf a firmer hand than the Red and Gold scarf.

"Luscious Yarn", by Rose Pelvin

I found this beautiful yarn on TradeMe (NZ Version of eBay) to the detriment of my bank balance. It is 55% silk and 45% cashmere and has a lovely light, soft handle. It's a joy to work with. This scarf was 7 inches in the reed and just over 60 inches woven length, all from one 50g hank, with a little bit left over. If you want more details about the yarn, contact me.

by Rose Pelvin

More about the Bags, by rose Pelvin

That dirty water was not a pretty sight! Here are the bags of fibre drying in the breeze, and taking a surprisingly long time over it. I probably put too much in the bags.

by Rose Pelvin

"Christmas Greetings", by Chris Beech

Wall hanging woven in Theo Moorman technique, design adapted from cross stitch patterns.

Wishing all the weaving community a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. Special thanks and greetings to blogmum Meg

Cheers
Chris

A message for members with yukky fibre to wash, by Rose Pelvin

Briscoes are selling mesh "shopping bags" that I thought would be ideal for washing the very dusty alpaca fibre that many of us bought at Linkwater during the year.  I bought one of these bags ages ago ($4.99) but never got around to using it and now can't find it. I bought another and sent it to my grandson for putting togs and wet beach stuff in.

Finally I bought 2 more today ($2.50 each now) and here is a picture of them in use. They each have a rubbery band which I took to be a wrist strap but have employed it to close the top of the bag.  You will see by the plimsoll line on the bath that the fibre really does need washing!

If you are looking for these bags they are up near the counter (on the floor today and not very recognisable because they are in a rolled up package.)  I expect when I rinse the fibre (and clean the bath) I will be able to hang them out in the nor'wester and have beautiful fibre in no time.  I'm not making any promises about spinning but at least I have taken the first step.

Merry Christmas everyone.
Rose

"Red and Gold Scarf" in Deflected Doubleweave, by Judy Bool

In a 2007 copy of Handwoven (Issue 133), I found an interesting article and draft by Madelyn Van Der Hoogt on Deflected Doubleweave. I had been researching double weave and the striking black and white picture of a silk scarf had caught my eye.

The draft is for 8 shafts with 4 ends of colour A alternating with 4 ends of colour B. For my first project I chose two Mora yarns; one old red and the other old gold. Epi and ppi 20. I made my own selection from the treadling blocks. Because of the loose set, weaving progressed quite quickly. Mora yarn does not shrink when fulling so the finished article has a nice open hand.

On loom

Side A after fulling

Side B after fulling

Finished scarf

by Judy Bool