May Meeting - Nearly Normal

It was great to meet together in May. We kept below the maximum number for a gathering, applied social distancing and people brought their own refreshments, but otherwise we chatted, questioned, admired show and tell and otherwise enjoyed a couple of hours with like-minded people. 

Above and below, this was the show and tell table with a great variety of work, most done in isolation.

Though she has been weaving for several years Anne had not made a baby blanket before. This is a great "first".

Also from Anne is this textured scarf in a very pleasing colopur scheme. Close-up is below.

Above and below, Joan's Bhutan Sunrise scarf in silk she brought back from her travels

A triumph for recycling. Joan unpicked two knitted jerseys, warped up with the two yarns alternately and made two woven ponchos - ready for another life.

Rose is in the process of piecing together three panels woven in alpaca and mohair to make a large blanket. The seams will be covered with a narrow lace trim on one side and feather-stitch on the other. 

Quick and easy. Betty saw a huck pattern she liked the look of and in very little time had made this open texture colour and weave knee rug.

Above and below. Another recycling story. Betty had a knitted garment not quite finished and after it had hibernated for several years she unpicked it and made this great rug. Good idea Betty.

Also from Betty is this triangular scarf knitted from sock wool.

Chris has been on a throw rug exercise during isolation. Using the tying-on method she made a warp long enough for three in Summer and Winter. 

Same warp but very different weft. This black and white one is stunning.

Two down and one more to go. Even then Chris says she will not run out of stash.

And something different from Chris. At first it looks like cotton but it is actually washable merino. Light and lovely with interesting blocks of pattern, it is eye-catching and stylish.

Keep weaving everyone. We have an exhibition to work for . . . now timed to be on show at the time of Garden Marlborough in November so let's make it a great one.

Where did April go?

April meeting didn't happen. For some it was lock-down, for others it was more like time-in. We were unable to meet because of the Covid19 pandemic, but it didn't stop us weaving. Communication was by way of group email with photos posted on the topic of baby blankets. Here are some of the pics retrieved from the emails, in no particular order. Apologies to those I've missed.

The first six photos are of baby blankets, some showing the dimpled effect of differential shrinkage. Whether by design or accident, it can add a design feature,

Rosemary's trauma bears use her loom for a jungle gym!

Draft for double weave blocks which ca be stuffed as they are woven to make a quilt.

What better choice for warm scarves than Judy B's twill

Tea towels from Chris. We had been planning a group tea towel project but it needs to go further down the priority list,

A scarf from Chris . . . is that cotton? No, it's washable Merino. Who would have guessed.

Joan's precious silk from Bhutan. We're all looking forward to seeing this woven.

Judy H had planned to make tea towels with this but it has been upgraded to upholstery for a precious bedroom chair,

One of two . . . Judy H woven two of these huck baby blankets for her special twin grand-babies

Rose woven this fine baby alpaca scarf with silk stripes for a special 50th birthday gift.

 Since then time has moved on and we were able to meet under Level 2 conditions in May so watch this space for the next post.

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.