Indigomusings

November is #IMWeaveMo aka IndigoMuse weaving month. I'm not a very good joiner and I realized that I'm not really interested in knitting a sweater (NaKniSweMo), writing a novel (NaNoWriMo) or blogging every day in (NaPoBloMo - though by default I might end up doing so by posting my daily weaving adventures for the month of November). But I do want to feel like I at least understand weaving better than I do now so I decided to embark on a little mini adventure each day as a way to become more comfortable with the terminology, etc.

Yesterday, I launched #IMWeaveMo by showing you my Magic Ball weaving project. I've been very frustrated trying to sew it into some project bags but hopefully I will eventually jump over that hurdle and have something to show you soon.

Today's adventure involves a test weave of a fine sett (20 epi) using two rigid heddles. I warped the loom with Findley (a luscious 50/50 merino/silk laceweight blend by Juniper Moon Farm). Let me just tell you that my brain had a rough time warping both heddles. I did it but I can't imagine warping the entire loom this way. I attempted to use a 20/80 silk blend for the weft. While it sorta works, it doesn't have great drape (good thing I tested first, right?). I'm going to play with using Findley as the weft too but the reality is that I don't have the patience or the skill yet to weave a wrap/scarf/etc with such a fine yarn. My ends are yet again too loose :( 

I need more practice before I weave laceweight yarns but I at least know what I have to do to make it so. I'm going to put this project in my weaving notebook and perhaps take it up again in the future. 

A recap of weaving on my Flip rigid heddle loom last week...

I'm not a weaving expert nor do I claim to be one. I got lucky the first few times I decided to weave on my Flip. The projects looked fab and I whizzed through them quickly. So I decided to experiment and play with the idea of a magic ball weaving project. The idea is that you knot random lengths of yarn together, roll them into a ball and either knit, crochet or weave with them.

I decided to weave with them and use them as the weft (I used worsted weight yarn for the warp).

I'm rusty noob when it comes to weaving. I warped the loom in reverse. I put too much yarn on the shuttle so it barely fit through the shed. I didn't love how the colors of the warp showed through more than the weft. BUT its slowly grew on me thanks to the encouragement of my tweeps...

Lessons learned:

The knots in the yarn appear as slubby nubs in the fabric which looks really cool!

In the future I won't use long lengths of novelty yarn as it skews the body of the fabric especially if lightly fulled.

I goofed and used a couple of super wash yarns in the warp so obviously they didn't full as I planned for them too.

I still don't know who to control the edges of my weaving. They're regularly too loose and even after using the tricks I've found online, I can't seem to remedy the problem.

In retrospect, I shouldn't have doubled the weft yarn. Singles would have been easier to control especially with the knots.

Here's what it looks like after I took it off the loom...

Specs: As warped - 620 yards of worsted weight yarn for the warp; 282 gms/9.75 oz weft; 126 ends; 18" wide; 

Finished measurements off loom: 60" x 17.5"; 402 gm/14.2 oz

My birthday is Halloween but my followers are the ones who will receive a gift. For a limited time, I'm offering my Host of Ghosts and Ghouls pattern to my loyal followers for FREE!!!! Send me a DM on Twitter or PM me on Ravelry (Indigomuse) and I'll send you a coupon code for a free download of my new pattern. Not on Ravelry? I'll email you the PDF instead. No tricks! Only treats! 

Delight your guests by decorating your home with these spooky fun ghosts and ghouls this Halloween. Each uses only a small amount of yarn and are very addictive - you can't knit just one.

Looking for a great holiday gift knit?