Weaving workshop

A few images from the weaving workshop we held in June:

Jenelle and Judy hard at work.

Jenelle’s variegated log cabin scarf.

Gwenda’s scarf in gorgeous autumn tones.

Some of the group at work.

Weaving and spinning workshops

For anyone in the region interested in learning to weave or spin, we have two weekend workshops coming up:

Learn to Weave, on the weekend of 16th and 17th June, with an introductory session on the evening of the 13th June

Beginner Spinning, on the weekend of 28th and 29th July

For more info, click the ‘Workshops‘ link above.

There are still places available in both workshops, and looms and spinning wheels are available to borrow from our group. Our workshops are fun, friendly and informal, and designed for those with no or limited experience.

At our meeting yesterday afternoon, I was delighted to see the latest items from Linda’s loom – a set of four cottolin dish towels, in waffle weave and plain weave. Linda did our Learn to Weave workshop last year, and is making some beautiful things. Unfortunately I didn’t photograph her towels yesterday, but you can see a photo of them on her loom over at her blog. Congratulations, Linda, on another wonderful project!

Armidale Show photos

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Jenny and Robyn spinning at the Armidale Show in Friday. Yes, we spent two days there, surrounded by amazing superfine merino fleeces (our region specialises in superfine wool) – but I don’t think any went missing

Our display was informal, because we couldn’t be there all the time (the Show runs until late each night), but people seemed to appreciate being able to handle the items we put out on the table. Quite a few people ‘had a go’ at the table loom, inkle loom, and on a spinning wheel, and kids in particular (but adults too!) appreciated being able to take away their lengths of handspun yarn. We unwind what they’ve spun from the bobbin, and let it twist on itself to form a 2-ply, and voila, a child has something to show family and friends.

Margaret won first place in the woven item from handspun yarn…

…and first place for an item of handspun, and Champion of the spinning section. Well done, Margaret!

Linda entered the show for the first time, with her wonderful twill scarf – her second piece of weaving ever, and beautifully even.

My rainbow scarf won in the handwoven item from commercial yarn, and made Champion of the weaving section…

..but it faced some very strong competition from Margaret’s beautiful scarf!

Sadly, this year there were very few entries in the knitting section – so Jenny’s hand-dyed Jaywalker socks and my socks duelled for honours in the sock class.

Margaret’s baby blanket

Margaret has woven a baby blanket for each of her grandchildren, and we’re always delighted to see the latest one. She brought this beautiful one in today for us to see, before it goes to the baby due shortly.

Linda’s ‘Something New’

Linda’s description from our newsletter:
I have finally finished my first attempt at weaving! At the weaving workshop held in July of this year Bronwyn introduced Christine and me to weaving by helping us to wind a warp and set up the loom ready for weaving. Most of this technique is a bit hazy now and will need to be reinforced with my next weaving project.

I decided that I first wanted to learn about different patterns and to experience a variety of patterns to get a feel for how different patterns affected the mix of colours and the feel of the finished fabric. From the examples given to us at the workshop I chose a pattern for each end of the scarf, that I would also weave in reverse, and four patterns that I thought would look the same on both sides for the middle.

Given the length of the scarf I decided to weave 15cm for each pattern with a plain weave of 2.5cm between. I finished off the end tassels with a very nifty hair-twisting tool that I borrowed from the group.

The most important lesson I learnt is that I really need to pay attention if the pattern has more than four lines – and even then sometimes. There was only one pattern that I really lost the plot on, but other than that I’m pretty pleased with the finished scarf and eager to start the next weaving project.