My Favourites So Far

I've lost track of how many mandalas I've painted on rocks so far, but of them all these are my favourites.

They are by no means perfect and there isn't much special about the layout so I think maybe it's the colours that are calling to me.

The shiny sealant makes the finished rocks difficult to photograph. I'll have to remember to take photos before adding the sealant that allows the painted rocks to be left outside in the garden. 

The Whole 5 Yards

The "8/2 Blues" warp, after wet finishing, is 41cm by 4.51 metres or 16 inches by 5 yards. 

Although at this point no plan is carved in stone, I am considering the possibility of making most of this into a window valance for my guest room. 

Both ends are fringed. I do this so that the ends are secure during the finishing process and so that I have the maximum versatility in how I use the finished fabric.

If I do decide to go ahead with the valance idea I will use both fringed ends to make a matching cushion cover for the bed in the room.

And then I would add a header (hidden behind the handwoven cloth) of commercial fabric to serve as a pocket for a curtain rod.

The loom is not yet redressed. I'm taking a breather while I get other items ready for entry in our fall fair.

Where Was I?

I had to check back through blog posts from last week to see which weaving photos had been posted before I was distracted and kept busy with baking and sewing. So here's an update on the weaving of the "8/2 Blues" warp.



A whole lot of wandering inlay has been going on!









This next one is probably my favourite bit.



The next section is where I experimented with allowing different layers of inlay to overlap and "get in each others way". Not something I'd likely repeat as I don't feel the effect is all that successful, but still, a fun experiment.



Colour is WAY off in the following photo.



I owe "sgray" from Ravelry a nod of thanks for the inspiration for this striped clasped weft section. Neat idea Sally!



I liked the effect I took another photo for you from a different angle.



And now I'm playing with stripes but allowing them to do a serpentine wander every now and then.



The end of the warp is now in sight. I'm enjoying this last technique so maybe I'll continue on and get a section long enough for a cushion cover? Or perhaps the sleeves of a top? We'll see!

Off to a Good Start

After scrapping that failed, fuzzy blue-violet and chartreuse warp, I've wound another warp and this one is much proving to be much more successful!

The warp is all cotton and the colours chosen were inspired by the ball of dishcloth cotton you see in the centre. The white, green, and light blue are not in the warp but may end up included as weft. 

Kona was a patient supervisor of the beaming process, though she chose to lay right where I would have to step over her every time I went from the front of the loom to the back. Using the "yank and crank" method of keeping a uniform tension I was stepping over her a LOT. 

I put this warp on my loom so that it wouldn't be empty when a visitor interested in Saori weaving comes by. But I find it a very pleasant warp to weave and cannot seem to stay away. I may end up using up all 6 metres of it before the guest arrives! 

The colours are most accurate in this final photo. I have no idea what the final use will be of the yardage, but I certainly am enjoying weaving it.