Rambling Along

Kimberly Lang, Cristina Lynn and Joyce

  Forgive me if I ramble....it's been that kind of week!  But, let me bring you up to speed......

  The big unveiling of the table runner for my niece:  Kim had a book signing in Pigeon Forge on Saturday, so I was able to deliver her runner in person.  Here she is with her Sing & Sign partner, Cristina Lynn, and her proud Mom, my sister Joyce.  She will be at the Alabama Book Festival in Montgomery this Saturday....wonder if the runner will go, too???

  It was a wonderful day watching Kim talk to fans, and Cristina sang and strummed her guitar.  Folks would wander by and stop and chat.  What a fun day!

  Then, on the home front, I've been weaving on the place mat warp and the mug rugs.  (Can we say, "Long Warps!")  Or, at least to me, they sure seem like long warps.  The end is not in sight on either one!!!
  And, I'm about to finish up making the linen heddles for the loom at the Museum of Appalachia.  My goal is to finish that tonight so that I can take them up to the Museum tomorrow.  This jig sure looks better than the one I tried to make!

"If I could talk to the animals...."

  As Maggie wrote yesterday, we met up at the Museum for lunch, then I did some cleaning in the Loom House.  (I think some critters spent the winter in that little shelter!)  While I swept the floor, Maggie stayed on the porch next door.
  We also replaced the REED (which is made out of real reeds) with one of my metal reeds.  I got to thinking that the original ones need to be used just for show...not weaving.  I beat very hard when I'm making rugs!
 The loom needs to be ready to weave for Sheep Shearing Day on April 26.

  I was also happy to introduce Maggie to the wonders of the Clinch River Yarn Shop!!!  I, too, found some goodness that needed to come home with me!  I love to stop in and talk with Sandy...and there is always some fiber that needs a new home!

  The paper whites have started their showy display.  The daffodils are gone, and they are the perfect replacement!

  And, finally, my favorite little wildflower:  Jack In the Pulpit! 

I'm always worried that it won't come back, but what a delight to see it pop up in the front bed.  When the tree service trimmed the maple in front of my house, I was worried that the extra sunlight would kill it.  But, so far, it continues to greet me each Spring.

Oh my....I did ramble a bit.  But, I seem to be in and out of house, depending on the weather.  And, I weave in spurts depending on my mood....and what has to be done.

Take some time to enjoy the newness of Spring....and, maybe a little fiber, too!
Happy Weaving!
LouAnn

Hills, Valleys and Shopping!

Last week, I mentioned that I was going to need more light to weave the last Baby Blanket in color Daffodil.  I went in search of one of my portable lights that attach with clips.  I  have spent the morning moving the light here and there, trying to find the best place to put it.  I started by putting it above the weaving, I could see the weaving better, but it didn't help me see the pattern better.  I then moved it to the left side, and the right side, but the light got in the way of my shuttle.

I then tried placing the light to my right and a little behind.  That was the ticket!  It wasn't just the increased light I needed, I needed the light in just the right angle to cause a shadow to fall across the surface of my weaving so that I could see the pattern developing!

I started the day with the tape measure reading 24 inches.  I wove until it was at 42 inches, then I took a break to run some errands.







I have recently received a couple of gift certificates to local yarn stores.  This week, I took the opportunity to redeem them!  At  the Yarn Haven in Knoxville, TN, I purchased a couple of tips for my Knit Picks cables, size 8.

I also purchased this lovely lace weight yarn from Juniper Moon.  It is 50/50 merino and silk, the color is dove.  It is 798 yds of scrumptiousness per skein.  I got 2 of them, and I am going to knit the Whisper Wrap, a free download from Ravelry.

Lace weight yarn project, size 3 needles, a pattern that is mostly stockinette!  I cast on the 481 stitches a couple of days ago, and I work on it most evenings.  It takes me about 20 minutes to knit one row!  It is delightful!  (I think I must be a process knitter!)



Then, today, I went to the Clinch River Yarn shop in Clinton, TN.  I found some new size 3 circulars that were 32 inches in length from Hiya Hiya, I bought 2 pairs, one for the wrap mentioned above and the second pair for another wrap I want to knit at the same time, using the yarn I bought today.

 I found a couple of balls of Jagger Spun, wool and silk again!  It is beauteous!  I am going to use a different pattern as a basis for this next wrap, but again it will be lace weight yarn on size 3 needles.  Clearly I am in for a couple of long knits!

I had just enough left on the gift certificate to pick up the cutest little pair of yarn scissors you ever saw, they are called  Kitty Snips, by Hiya Hiya,  they also have Puppy Snips.  They are TSA approved so you can take them anywhere!

That is about it for me today,

Until next time, Happy Weaving, Tina

Autumn Begins

  Summer is over...officially.  The family came over last Saturday for the last swim day before I closed the pool.  We swam and grilled and celebrated a great day to be together.
  Now, it's back to my regularly scheduled life.
  I took my poor excuse for a jig to the Center on Tuesday and showed my lack of drilling skills to Allan.  He took the dowels and my little board home with him to fix.  Tuesday afternoon he was ringing the doorbell with this little gem. (Allan is now my official HERO!)  So, in the meantime, I've been practicing my square knots.  This site recommended tying the square knots with surgeon's knots to make them stronger.  Since there will be lots of pressure on the knots, I think that might be a good idea.
  One thing for sure, it is easier to tie them with carpet warp....linen tends to want to twist....so I need to be very careful!!!!

  On my way to the Center yesterday to take the looms for today's class, I stopped by Clinch River Yarn Company.  (www.ClinchRiverYarns.com)   I have used up all of my tiny mohair that I like to use in the art yarn.
  It does help having a specific item in mind before I go in a shop like Clinch River or I'll end up with LOTS of fiber goodness!!!!  I found this lovely mohair blend with bling!!!!  How perfect!!!  I wish I had had this black to make the yarn for my chenille wrap...it would have added an extra level of loveliness!!!

  My basket is full of the stuff I need for today's class.  I revised the handouts and stamped new bags for the finished mug rugs.  Fabric balls were added to the stash and shuttles were rounded up for the class.
  I packed my lunch.....all I need to do now is get dressed and drive to the Center.  Another day of throwing the shuttle with new weavers.
Ahhhh......life is good!!!!
Enjoy your Fall day!
Happy Weaving (and all other fiber goodness!)
LouAnn