Monday, August 2, 2010

So close, and yet...


Here is the first rectangle of the last set of rectangles in the afghan project.  As I mentioned previously, my warp is not long enough.  Poor planning, bad math skills and then, inability to look at the project for a while have kept this project sitting alone in the loominaria.  But, as before, the blog pushed me into trying to finish it.  I've wound the 2 yard warp--maybe too much but that's okay--and read once again how to tie on more warp.  I cut the finished rectangles off:


I've unwound the many, many rectangles:







I was getting ready to start tying on the new threads, but realized I needed lease sticks.  Both pairs I own are on the other project I've been ignoring.  I looked the other loom over, trying to figure out how I can wind on that warp by myself, and I remembered what Theresa from Camp Runamuck said:  Is there no way to work on some of the dressing methods to make the Colonial easier?   Is there?  It's only running through the heddle space; there's nothing that makes it imperative that someone stand in the front, pulling and someone else stand in the back, turning.  Silly of me to think that!  I started winding it on, by myself, from the back.  Jennifer's kind of a bear, even from the back, but I got quite a lot wound on this morning.  I've broken 3 threads on the fine cotton, because of my haste, and it kind of hurts my back leaning over the loom, but I've gotten about halfway.
The pearl cotton is very slippery and needs to be held taughtly; the unmercerized cotton is sticky and won't behave.  It doesn't need to be held, because the lease sticks and raddle keep it tight, but the threads tangle around the lease sticks and cling to each other.  I'm taking a break from it for now, but will finish it this afternoon.  I won't thread today, though.  Jenny is waiting for those lease sticks.  And I'm getting ready for the next project.  My copy of Doubleweave by Jennifer Moore arrived this past weekend, and I'm planning my mug rug for our Christmas exchange.  That'll be next on Jenny, lots of doubleweave sampling!
I'm on vacation until the 11th, had a fabulous birthday weekend with my sister, mother and friends and have a trip to Nashville this week to try Matt's sandwiches.  I'll slip some weaving in from time to time and let you know how it goes next Monday.  Until then,  happy weaving!
Maggie

7 comments:

roxie said...

Bless your heart! Wish I could be there to teach you how to tie a warp on to the existing warp so you don't have to re-thread the whole sucker. SOOO much easier for a short warp.

Maggie said...

Oh no! You misunderstood! I AM tying on to the existing warp! I just need a set of lease sticks to get it going! But thank you so much! I could hold the cross in my hand, but when I do that, stuff has a tendency to happen, like phones ringing, cat fights, door knocking, life! Besides, this way, I'm killing two birds with one stone.

LA said...

Problem solving.....that must be the word(s) for the day!!!! I'm sure hoping that I put on plenty of warp for my panels! I'm busy chasing a little ram and a wolf pup around the house...trying to keep them off the looms and out of the wool!!!

Bonnie said...

Glad that you had a good birthday. I need to find out tomorrow how long to make the rectangles. They all look nice. At least you are just about finished. I am just starting. See you guys tomorrow.

Linda said...

I hope you have a nice vacation!

Have you ever thought about warping with a trapeze? Kati Meek has an interesting book about it.

Maggie said...

Linda, I try not to mix my circus acts with my weaving. I could look at it, though. As long as there's no horseback riding, or lion taming.

Tina J said...

My head is spinning Maggie, how do you keep it all straight!