I'm delighted with the results of my Axminster yarn rugs. I put on a 5 meter warp using some really earthy colours from bought from Texere in Bradford, good old internet, with a weft of berber bought at the same time...... they were really helpful when I described what I needed. My initial idea was to make warp faced rugs, but I obviously didn't pack the warp tightly enough, something I can put right next time. I always write notes about what I'm making, for future reference, but also to allow me to make adjustments if a design takes on a life of its own!!!
The length of warp has allowed me to make 2, 5 x 3 ft rugs to sell in the shop, with enough left to make a mat for our home, lovely to have something for ourselves, a sample to remind me of what I've created in the past.
This weekend, if the expected storms allow, I hope to wash Peewee's fleece using my dustbin method and then to get it dry on my makeshift wire rack hung between two dining room chairs on the patio. With a bit of sunshine it doesn't take long. Just need lots of hot water and washing up liquid to gently soak out the lanolin. With very little agitation and time to let everything cool slowly it won't get felted. Then I can start to card it on my drum carder to align the fibers and remove any remaining bits of "field" and then spin for England. It's one of the most satisfying and relaxing pastimes producing in this case, miles of naturally coloured chocolate brown yarn... yum!
I also want to re-warp the loom, using my newly learned "tie on" method which saves so much time. I have a commission of 6 cushions to make with my Ryeland wool, so I'll probably make double, with some to sell in the shop.
I've also just acquired another loom, the smallest Varpapuu, the same manufacturer as the big loom in my studio, from Marion, who is downsizing hers. I want to clear the dining room of all my junk, and redecorate it so we can start having friends round for meals again, and to be able to give lessons in weaving. With 2 small floor looms to use in a nice relaxed, calm atmosphere, it should be ideal! It'll be nice to pass on the skills I have learned and the omeet some like minded folk!
The length of warp has allowed me to make 2, 5 x 3 ft rugs to sell in the shop, with enough left to make a mat for our home, lovely to have something for ourselves, a sample to remind me of what I've created in the past.
This weekend, if the expected storms allow, I hope to wash Peewee's fleece using my dustbin method and then to get it dry on my makeshift wire rack hung between two dining room chairs on the patio. With a bit of sunshine it doesn't take long. Just need lots of hot water and washing up liquid to gently soak out the lanolin. With very little agitation and time to let everything cool slowly it won't get felted. Then I can start to card it on my drum carder to align the fibers and remove any remaining bits of "field" and then spin for England. It's one of the most satisfying and relaxing pastimes producing in this case, miles of naturally coloured chocolate brown yarn... yum!
I also want to re-warp the loom, using my newly learned "tie on" method which saves so much time. I have a commission of 6 cushions to make with my Ryeland wool, so I'll probably make double, with some to sell in the shop.
I've also just acquired another loom, the smallest Varpapuu, the same manufacturer as the big loom in my studio, from Marion, who is downsizing hers. I want to clear the dining room of all my junk, and redecorate it so we can start having friends round for meals again, and to be able to give lessons in weaving. With 2 small floor looms to use in a nice relaxed, calm atmosphere, it should be ideal! It'll be nice to pass on the skills I have learned and the omeet some like minded folk!
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