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Post by Zi on Mar 1, 2024 9:20:30 GMT
These are some of the 'tartans' I made just before Christmas. We decided that we needed to protect the arms of our sitting-room furniture. I looked at commercial ones but they weren't quite right. So I wove one and we liked it and I did the others. I did three different patterns for the three sets of arms... So this is just one of each pair. I very rarely actually 'make' anything useful as I just like weaving samples of this size. These were done on a tapestry frame using Axminster carpet wool so the fabric is quite coarse but obviously for their purpose it doesn't really matter. edit: This is how they come off the loom. Apart from typing the ends up and washing the piece, I don't do anything else. Washing drastically changes the appearance and texture of the cloth.
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Post by pavane on Mar 4, 2024 16:25:06 GMT
They look really nice. I like the idea that you don't generally make "useful things", just do the weaving as an enjoyable process in itself. I do a bit of calligraphy from time to time but only because I enjoy the act of doing it - I don't keep it once it's finished.
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Post by keff on Mar 4, 2024 16:33:01 GMT
Those are lovely Zi. OH has woven a sea scene on a little loom; she is into embroidery in the main. In the past has done both wet and dry felting for which we have an embellishing machine.
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Post by Zi on Mar 4, 2024 19:28:35 GMT
Thank you! I love doing it and have zero expectations. It's just fun. I wish I could have that attitude over everything I do. But no, I angst over music and water colours...
I've done some needle felting as well and have the stab scars to prove it. But I haven't done wet. Needle felting is fun once your finger stops throbbing! But I don't find it as relaxing as weaving probably because of the throbbing finger... I use to embroider but it hard to do that at night now - I need bright light to work by. Weaving doesn't care - except for matching colours...
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Post by Zi on Mar 5, 2024 10:11:28 GMT
OH has woven a sea scene on a little loom I meant to say that the little (tapestry) looms are wonderful. I'll put up a picture of some of my little looms soon. I have a tiny (metal) pipe loom (complete with shedding device!) and a couple of wooden looms ditto. One of the wooden ones is designed for children however some of the children's looms are really well made and a lot of really excellent weavers use them because they can carry them around easily and are great for producing samples. As I explained, although I have a couple of decent sized looms (table looms) I don't use them much because all I want to do is make samples. There's a rhythm to weaving which may be why people find it soothing... I know I do. I was also lucky in that the first books I used to learn weaving were written by people who thought that one should just weave and they didn't care if it was all wonky... I never built up any expectations. Like the paper I make, I just like the doing; and the finished product is beautiful to me. I don't ever compare it with some ideal. I so wish I could just be like that all the time, for everything. It's so much healthier than having unrealistic expectations.
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Post by pavane on Mar 6, 2024 9:16:50 GMT
I so wish I could just be like that all the time, for everything. It's so much healthier than having unrealistic expectations. 'Tis said about Free Jazz that the only skill you really need is the ability to look as if the note you just played was done on purpose. I know jazz isn't your very favourite style of music, but...
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Post by Zi on Mar 9, 2024 9:52:30 GMT
'Tis said about Free Jazz that the only skill you really need is the ability to look as if the note you just played was done on purpose. I know jazz isn't your very favourite style of music, but... Yes, but it's still a really nice idea! I'm trying to knit a sock at the moment. I just know it's going to get worse...
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Post by Zi on Mar 14, 2024 16:59:20 GMT
I'm trying to knit a sock at the moment. I just know it's going to get worse I would say the sock has got nowhere fast. Neither of us can understand the instructions! Mr Z is great. He says we'll find an easier pattern!
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Post by keff on Mar 14, 2024 18:13:45 GMT
I would say the sock has got nowhere fast. They generally don't perambulate unless there are two.
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Post by Zi on Mar 15, 2024 12:17:49 GMT
They generally don't perambulate unless there are two rofl - I don't think that's the entire problem... I managed to find another pattern which made more sense so by fiddling around with small needles and adding some extra stitches, I was finally able to do the shaping the heel thing... so I'm now getting some idea as to how the thing is meant to work. Needless to say, this isn't going to be a sock that gets a foot in it!
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Post by Zi on Mar 17, 2024 16:54:37 GMT
We have this CD full of old books on sewing and knitting. Mr Z suggested I look there. There are patterns for 'beginners' but I've realised that their idea of beginner in the 19th and early 20th centuries is really rather advanced... I especially like the way they don't really give you the instructions. For example, they say - here are the basic stitches for this design and you can use them in your sock making... Great! Ummm but how do I make the sock?
The books are very very interesting historically and sociologically... but not a great deal of help with knitting...
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Post by keff on Mar 17, 2024 17:02:35 GMT
The books are very very interesting historically and sociologically... but not a great deal of help with knitting... I suppose in the 19th and early 20th centuries there would have been immediate family members experienced in many different crafts that could help.
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Post by keff on Mar 17, 2024 18:00:37 GMT
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Post by Zi on Mar 17, 2024 19:04:25 GMT
I suppose in the 19th and early 20th centuries there would have been immediate family members experienced in many different crafts that could help. Yes! Exactly. They sometimes refer to asking help from an adult. We have one book which has a title along the lines of sewing without mother's help! Some of the things are really quite complex even though sometimes they're scaled down - clothes for dolls etc. We've both enjoyed the books a great deal. I have a doll left over from childhood and I'm tempted to knit her something to try the patterns out! The screen is lovely! Mrs keff is to be commended! Please pass that on and a thank you for sharing! I love embroidery work. It's the different shading and textures you can get with the stitches and threads. I'm impressed with the frame making - they look horrendous to make to me!
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Post by Zi on Apr 18, 2024 6:58:01 GMT
I'm in the process of knitting my very first mitten... I don't think I'm knitting two... just the one and we'll admire it... (or not)...
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