Not my loom.
Ok, so the ultimate irony is that on the day that I got _my_ loom I actually drove an hour (each way) to use the _other_ loom at Place des Arts.
Yep. Weaving class is officially over but I missed a couple classes because of my dad’s exhibition and going to Vegas… so I’m a little behind and haven’t finished the [Great Big Green Blanket (GBGB)](http://blog.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/2006/05/the_great_big_green_blanket/). Last night, I spent about two hours in the Fibre Room working on the blanket…
After about two hours, I found myself relatively comfortable with using the massive ski shuttle that I had originally found a little unwieldy. It really was the best solution though. I had tried using a boat shuttle and it just wouldn’t hold very much weft — and winding bobbins is significantly less fun than throwing the shuttle.
I also changed the tie up under the loom so that I could “walk” the loom. Basically all this is is tying the shafts to the treadles in a sequence that allows your feet to alternate (like you are walking). For example, my pattern is 12, 23, 34, 41. If the treadles are tied up in that order, I press treadle 12 with my left foot then treadle 23 with my right foot. _Then_ I need to scoot over or cross over with my left foot so that I can treadle 34. That’s stupid. So, I changed the treadles so that they are ordered like this: 12, 34, 23, 41. That way, I go 12 with the left, 23 with the right, 34 with the left and 41 with the right and I never really need to change my position. You could also order it like this: 12, 34, 41, 23 so that you walk the two outside treadles and then the two inside treadles. Whatever you fancy. It seems to speed things up considerably or at least make treadling less awkward…
All I needed was maybe one more hour to finish weaving off the entire blanket, doing a little hemstitching and then cutting the blanket off the loom. Just one more hour! I’m _delighted_ at how fast it is going. _This_ is instant gratification, people. _Instant_.
Tags: blanket, loom, place des arts, ski shuttle
Oh that blanket is absolutely stunning!!!!!
The blanket is gorgeous, but the process seems kind of hard (to me – being clueless and all).
That is amazing! Incredible progress and lovely project.
Absolutely incredibly gorgeous!!
That’s a great project, instant blanket. Can’t wait to see your new loom in your spare room, I wonder if it’s as big as this loom.
That’s beautiful! I definitely need to learn to do this, but as you’ll perhaps learn in my blog, there is still some work to do!!!
Ok, totally in awe with all your weaving adventures. I’ve never had a desire to spin really, a small desire to quilt, but I have major interest in weaving! My aunt, has some sort of loom that she said I could have when I wanted to start.. hmm, now you have me thinking! You would have loved the Studio at Donegal Tweed. They aren’t knitters there, they are all handweavers and made amazing stuff. I almost bought a blanket just like the one you are working on! Nice job!
It just looks so wonderful. I have a small knitters loom but am SO close to ordering myself a larger loom – it is as you say – Instant Gratification. Well Done.
The weaving looks amazing. You might have missed a few classes, but, hey, you were weaving in Vegas, right
??
Oh my god! I have to admit, I knew that loom was yours so I went up and (tentatively) touched it! I spun right beside it. I almost started hyperventilating (Sweet Georgia’s loom omg!).
PS – I’m a dork
i love the colors of the blanket – it’s very cool and summery and reminds me of the ocean on a clear day….i can’t wait to see the completed blanket and your new loom!
I do NOT have room for a loom.
But this makes me long for one!
What are your thoughts on the small table-top looms?
it is so beautiful!
What a lovely twill!
My two weaving courses (so far) were on a rigid heddle loom (the Kromski harp). So I learned to do twill by tying a set of leashes around the desired warp strings to create another shed when lifted (they’re all knotted onto a dowel that sits in back of the heddle), plus a pick-up stick shed for the third one. Talk about a shoulder workout! Your loom makes me drool. (And the one you’re working on for class is unbelievable.) I’m hoping my third course gets some time on the floor loom so I can start making plans!
I’m going to echo everyone else and gawk over how beautiful that blanket is! Do you have any places you’d recommend getting looms from? I’m itching to start weaving now, hah!
I just stumbled across your blog and it’s amazing! I’m equally amazed that you’re based in YVR as I was born and raised there.
Hi! I found your site doing a Google search on the Master Knitter program, and had a question for you about it…but can’t find your email address anywhere on the site. Can you email me please? reachjennifer at bellnet dot ca
Thanks!
Wow, this is so interesting! Thanks for sharing your weaving experiences. As others have said, the blanket really looks beautiful, and it makes me want to learn to weave as well. Great job!
Oooh, what inspiration. Someday I too will have a loom…..ah
The colors of your blanket are soothing and peaceful. Very lovely.
I’ve heard of walking the loom but never actually try it. After reading how it helped you, I think I’ll give it a try soon.
The colors of your blanket are lovely; soothing and peaceful. I’ve heard of walking the loom but have never tried it. After reading how it helped you I will have to try it soon.
You get the “dang that’s crafty” award! That loom is too cool!
That looks glorious!
If I were my cat I’d want to romp on it, knead it and eventually fall asleep in it’s folds.
Sigh.
Now you’ve got me thinking about weaving again….