Starting the Chain Reaction Challenge

The next fun weaving challenge is for PWN. A team of 24 people are taking part in a colour chain reaction. Each person weaves a square panel, using for warp the yarn sent to them from the previous person. They choose their own weft and send some of the same yarn on to the next on the list to use for their warp. Allowing 2 weeks for each person to do their decision-making, acquiring and sending on the yarn, it could take months before the last person is able to get started -- so it's not going to happen in a hurry -- but eventually the plan is to mount all the panels and display them in order of the progression. It could be a very interesting exhibition.
I am number seven on the list and I already have some beautiful aqua colour alpaca and silk yarn from Sue to use for a warp. For a weft I have chosen a maroon (summer wine) mercerised cotton from our group's stash. I sent on the required amount of it to Wil and fortunately he is very happy with it. I wonder what colour he will use to weave it with.
I have been playing around a bit lately with advancing twills and chose one to use for my panel. It's not a particularly complex draft but still has 56 ends per repeat in both warp and weft  because it is 'trompt as writ' so it needs concentration! I wasn't brave enough to start directly on to my panel so chose some fine yarns in lighter shades and wove a scarf as a trial. Here is a photo of the finished scarf with the yarns I will use for the panel.

 

Finally, some weaving

A small project but one that will be useful in three ways. I had a narrow fine wool warp on the loom for samples. One of the tasks I have this year is to talk to the weavers' group about advancing twill, so threaded up for a "frost crystal" pattern to demonstrate. When that is done I will have the samples on hand for Cross Country Weavers - early for next year. More of that later.

On the last part of the warp I used a blue merino weft to make myself a short scarf. Most of my scarves suddenly seem to be too long. This is it - one photo on each side of the fabric and a close-up.

Even though there is no lustre on the yarn, it has a "shot" effect in certain lights.
 

And another!

Learning lacemaking one snake at a time! Number two is in a different stitch. 

I have a long way to go.

And an even longer time . . .

I still have not done any weaving this year, but I did get a warp on the loom for Cross Country samples. It's still waiting.

Once my long involved PWN exhibition piece was done I decided to do another in a fraction of the time. I used fabric I had woven some time ago and had a dressmaker put it together for me. My contribution was in the form of beading and hand embroidery stitching all around the edge. Photos will come in due course. 

Because I had offcuts from the second Cloak I used them to finish off my overdue Cross Country "own choice" samples. I had already done the required topic for the year so it was good to finish up the whole project and get it away only a couple of weeks late.  I still have the warp on the loom and when I get to weave it off I will be streets ahead for next year.

For years I have promised myself I would one day learn lacemaking and this year the "one day" has arrived. I realise it will take up weaving time but it's probably time I slowed down with that anyway. I will still weave but maybe at a slower pace until I get to grips with this new craft.  I will probably never be a great lacemaker but I want to learn enough to know that I can do it and maybe make a few bookmarks. What I have made so far is a snake!

My first attempt at lacemaking

It's been a LONG time !

I have today put the last stitch into my cloak for the PWN Exhibition in June. It has to be delivered to the annual Seminar in March.  I began winding the warps in January 2015 so it has been a year in the making, not counting the "thinking time" and planning before that.  I will not do this again - working on something piecemeal, over a long time. If I ever make another exhibition piece I will decide what I am going to make and make it - finish! Now I need to return my living room to something like normal and less like a workshop. I also look forward to getting back to my loom, though there are a few things to catch up on before that happens. I don't know when I last had such a long break from the loom.

I will not publish any photos of the cloak until the exhibition opens. Instead I will put here a couple of photos, not of weaving but the result of a burst of creativity I just felt I had to do. . . and it was such fun!

This bird bath was triggered off by finding the gorgeous blue plate in an op shop for $10. A few jars and a piece of PVC pipe to secure in into the garden were all that was needed. I love it - but I've never seen a bird on it yet. Maybe it will be a bird feeder in the winter.

Model No. 2 is made from several microwave plates and jars from the re-cycle centre with a glass platter and a torso of bath salts. This one sits on a large paving tile - also from "wastebusters."  Each item is extremely heavy, including the "handle" which reads "Don't worry, be happy." So far it has not blown over in a nor'wester.
I have to tell myself "that is enough!"  I don't really want the whole garden full of weird sculptures - but it's very tempting.
 

My entries in Handworks 2015

It's some time since I wove this tablecloth but it is its first outing

My only sale - a large soft throw

Another throw, this one in blues

My favourite at the moment. Alpaca and silk lace weave with beaded fringe.

Another lacy wrap. No beads on this one. The items on top are not mine.

Wrap number three, very light, soft and shiny.

 

 

Busy, Busy Spring Time

Not busy at the loom but weaving still seems to be involved in everything I do.  A most pleasant task was to be present in Birgite's garden on 9 & 10 October when it was part of a Garden Tour for St Andrew's Church.  I set up a small display of accumulated scarves to complement Birgite's loom which she was setting up in the foyer of her lovely home. So people had a bonus to check out as well as being able to wander around her extensive garden and riverside walk.

This swing/seat was SO tempting!

No sooner was the Garden Tour over than the Nelson/Marlborough/Buller Area Exhibition was upon us. It was held in Marlborough this year.  I'll post some photos from it next time.