Polychrome Crackle

Another year, another batch of Cross Country samples to deliver. The difference is that this is my last year participating in this group. Much as I enjoy the challenges and the communication with other weavers from all over the country, I've been doing it for well over twenty years and it's time I moved on. It's also time I stopped accumulating more and more samples. I love getting them, but where to put them? I have about ten large folders full which used to sit on top of my yarn shelves -- before the earthquake! Now they have to be part of a re-shuffle and I'm not sure where they will end up.

This year's topic for my group was Crackle. It's an interesting weave but not one of my favourites so I have to go back to the drawing board if I want to use it. This time I found an article on polychrome crackle in an old Handwoven magazine and used that as a base. I first tried out the four possible blocks on 4 shafts, using pairs of all the various colours I could find in suitable yarn.

My favourite colour combination was lime green with a dusky blue so I used this for the rest of the warp and treadled the blocks A B C D C B to make a diamond pattern. This was the piece I cut into samples and send to other members of the group.

 The orange warp was cotton from WAY back and looked better after a wash. This is the first time I have used orange without it screaming "1970s" at me. So that is ticked off and I am happy with it but intend my next project to be a lot more fun!
 

I love January

No meetings, no minutes, no reports . . . no "have to" . . . and the only phone calls are from friends and family . . . AND I get to weave every day!
This is how I wrapped up 2016 and started 2017 . . . two table runners (one for a promised gift) and two tea towels - which I didn't expect to make but as I had made a weird calculation for the length of the warp I had the bonus of a Christmas present without having to think about it.

Nearly Christmas

I don't know where November went! Part of it disappeared down south for a lovely family gathering and another part was a very enjoyable visit from friends. I feel as though I have had my Christmas already.
For once I have some weaving to show; the alpaca/silk wrap is off the loom and finally finished. As always I love this yarn - and now I love this colour as well.

 Not new, but having what has become an annual outing, is my "Litehaus" which was woven for a PWN Light Waves exhibition. I had been advised to "leave the lighting to the gallery" which I did, but was very disappointed with the way it was lit. Now, for the first time I have, with help from a very talented young man, managed to get it lit the way I intended with a flickering light/fan giving the impression of a flame inside the top. It works well and at last I am happy.

 

31 October Californian Poppies

Riverbed near Renwick

30 October Loom with a View

This was the view I had today while threading up my loom with a fine alpaca/silk warp for a wrap. It was nice to be able to have the door open.

 

29 October Nostalgia

It's family birthday season and some of the old photos are being dusted off. This is me with two of my sisters, Norma and Mary.

 

28 October Milanese Lace Lady

I wonder if I will ever be proficient enough to make this.