There and Back

  Last Friday at the Museum of Appalachia, I had one little boy who kept saying, "Do it again."  I think he would have stood there all day watching that loom work.
"How do you know how much string to put on the loom?"
  "Do you do a lot of math?"
  "How long does it take to make a rug?"
  "Where do you get that material to weave into rugs?"
  "Where do you sleep?"

  Then, there's the lady who burst into tears telling me she remembers her grandmother weaving.

  I had no idea that this project would turn me into a demonstrator....or that I would do so much research on this wonderful old loom.  Thank heavens that information was already available:  http://www.ohio.edu/people/deanr/rockerbeater/loom18.html
  Ms. Phyllis Dean published her Master Thesis in 1998 on her research into rocker looms.  It was sparked from her memories of her own grandmother weaving on a rocker loom.  You can take a look at the thesis at:
http://www.ohio.edu/people/deanr/rockerbeater/index.html
  The rocker loom at the Appalachian Arts and Craft Center was also included in her research.  Ann is weaving those "black & blue" rugs right now with the black warp.  I am so glad we have this piece of Appalachian history at the Center!
  I have already woven one rug, and I'm almost finished with the second rug.  This afternoon I need to prep some fabric for tomorrow's new rug.  I may be alone for most of the day OR I may end of talking to lots of folks who are as fascinated as I am with this wonderful activity.
  What a wonderful adventure!
Happy Weaving!
LouAnn