Lesson Four! I finished a wider band with an 8 revolution border flanking each side of an 8 revolution pattern. There are 2 more techniques in Lesson Four that I will cover in the next blog post.

Anyway, I had some revelations……….

I should not do string heddles at night when I am the least bit tired. I had to redo them so many times, I can’t even tell you, and then I did the string heddles once on just the pattern and forgot the border warps, ugh!

I was really happy with my weaving, my edges are really nice, that takes a lot of work! My major revelation has come with the use of the upright loom. When you use an upright loom, the warp is under constant tension. I have a feeling that the patterns above have a stretched out look that they would not have if I had woven on a backstrap loom setup.

My next sample band will be done on a backstrap set up!

My Backstrap Weaving Set on Flickr.

Now things are getting exciting! Moving on into Lesson Three I have strung a wider warp and started using 2 background colors. The picture above shows the front of the band on the left and the back of the sample band on the right.

I am also actively reading charts now for the different patterns, and the best part of all is that I used string heddles on these bands for 2 of the sheds. I didn’t take pictures of the string heddles for this lesson or for the next, but I will try to take pictures of further projects in process.

I am still using my Upright/Navajo Loom for these projects, but now getting a hankering to switch to a backstrap. I am also confident about where I am in pattern, for example, if I set my project down, in the book Andean Pebble Weave, Laverne explains how to identify what row you are on.

The hearts are adorable and I am really having fun with this technique!

Lesson 2 - Finishing The Band For Lesson 1 & 2 Using Pebble Weave, and X & O Pick Up Technique. The left side is the back of band and the right side of band is the front

Continuing on with the band I was working on in Lesson 1, I learned how to do a weave, Xs & Os using a pick up technique.

Left: front of band. Right: back of band. X & O pick up technique from the book Andean Pebble Weave.

I finished off this band, staring at how the front of the weave looks one way, and when you flip the piece over there is a mirror image with the colors reversed. How cool is that! Off to Lesson 3.

Front Of Band- Lesson One - Andean Pebble Weave

I had stumbled upon Laverne’s Backstrap Weaving Blog some time before going to Convergence, but after meeting and seeing her work up close, I was definitely intrigued. I had to try this type of weaving! (PS – There is a picture of me taking a class at her blog!)

I took a peek at her book: Andean Pebble Weave at Convergence, and after wishing I purchased it then, I went home and downloaded it. I had to start right away.

To digress a bit, for the longest time I had resisted weaving. Years ago when I learned to spin my own wool, I met many people who wove (in New York), but it was on large looms, and honestly I didn’t know it I wanted to make that commitment. Ironically, a friend and neighbor gifted me her Aunt’s Union Rug Loom, which I did not start actively using until recently.

Mostly, my weaving was restricted to my inkle loom. And I also do card weaving. These types of weaving are very portable and do not take up space. My large weaving experiences did not occur until the second time I lived in New Mexico and my husband and our friend Ron built me a small Upright/Navajo Loom (without any modifications, I can weave a 14 inch length by 20 inch wide rug, and with modifications a wee bit more than 24 inches in length).

I still consider myself a beginner weaver on the upright loom, as there are many, many techniques. And my rug loom is just that, a two shaft loom for simple plain weave.

Realizing I really love the smaller and portable type weaving I was really attracted to Backstrap Weaving.

I’ve started with Lesson One in Andean Pebble Weave which covers set up and understanding the concepts of pebble weave structure. It is a warp faced weave. And not having a backstrap yet, I decided to string up the warp on my Upright/Navajo Loom.

Front And Back Of Band - Lesson One - Andean Pebble Weave

The picture above shows the pebble weave in progress, the patterned area is called a two revolution/4 warp end pattern. The band on the left is the front of the weaving and the band on the right is what the band looks like on the back.

I studied the book, learning how to read charts and manually pick up the pebble weave. Now off to Lesson Two.

i was having so much fun that this was the only picture i snapped, needle felting at esther's place

Today I went to Convergence 2010 (Handweavers Guild of America) here in Albuquerque at the Convention Center. I signed up for a couple Art Sparks Classes and wandered around the Vendor Hall. Tomorrow, I will spy the exhibits and attend the TWIST Meeting. I would have loved to sign up for one of the more serious classes, but was glad I didn’t, because Mom broke her hip this week and we are really wrapped up with that!

So my first stop was a Navajo Spindle Class. Althou I know how to do it already, I needed a refresher, and learned a couple tricks. We hand carded wool (I learned a little nifty trick with that) and then spun on the hip/lap spindle (and I learned a trick there too). I was really happy with my class. The class was taught by Kathy Lambert of Rancho Borrego Negro. Here Etsy site is here. I did head on over to her booth and was enchanted by the cotton sliver, and purchased some to try out. BTW, her fleeces and roving were beautiful!

organic cotton sliver fromrancho borrego negro

Then I scooted off to a Backstrap Weaving Class. This was really interesting. It was taught by a gentleman from Harrisville Designs, and we used one of their products that is designed for kids. Their Backstrap Loom Kit was really cute and I would highly recommend it! Anyhow, we wove a sample, and to get accustomed to the setup we did an open weave (warp and weft showing), then moved onto the traditional style warped -faced weave. I set my weft in relaxed at first, then tightened it up, and experimented with pick-up stitches.

woven sample made on harrisville designs backstrap loom kit

While we were weaving a woman came to take pictures and I thought I might know her from the internet, and now I am sure I do! Laverne Waddington (blog) was visiting, and her weaving is beautiful and inspiring! She has a book available called Andean Pebble Weave. Her backstrap set up is what I will be aiming for shortly, and it was so nice to meet her.

Next to her in the booth was also something that caught my eye. Linda Hendrickson of Laurelhurst Fiber Art Studio & Urban Farm had the coolest handwoven baskets, and I automatically thought about the yucca presentation I saw, and thought that would be a great way to use the yucca rope produced.

I stopped by the Diné be’ iiná Booth and picked up a pamphlet about the Sheep is Life Celebration. I REALLY would like to attend next year.

Then off to Snipes Booth. I have a couple Snipes forks already, but got a cinch batten and a inkle shuttle. I am thinking I might get one of the fancy forks that fit perfect in your hand for Diné/Navajo Weaving. Snipes specialize in handcrafted wood navajo weaving tools, and it was nice to meet the owner, Al Snipes.

"inkle-type" shuttle made from osage orange, and a "cinch" batten

My main purchase that I knew before hand that I was going to make was a gadget to speed up making twisted fringe on the belts/guitar straps I have been making. I found one at Hillcreek Fiber Studio! It is called KZ’s Double Fringe Twister. I was so excited when I got home, I twisted away (small things make me happy).

fringe twister, i'm in heaven

I visited the Ashford Booth to talk to them about my wheel’s little quirk, and for fun, tried the double treadle Traveller – I now know I love my single treadle Traveller, but their double treadle spun beautifully.

Lastly, I was drawn to a group of women and a man needle felting. I stopped and joined in making a cute pin, and I have to say I LOVE the booth. Natasha Lehrer of Esther’s Place had the most beautiful felting kits. I finally got an assortment of colors, and the price was fantastic. I also got this cool sparkle stuff and some lincoln locks. I am going to have fun felting!

a very generous felting sampler from esther's place

beautifully dyed lincoln locks from esther's place

sparkley stuff to use in felting, i could not get a great picture of this at the moment, the one on the left is deep green and golden yellow, and the one on the right is a goldish type

So that was my adventure in the Vendor Hall! I am now inspired to finish building my warp pegs, and get onto to backstrap weaving

Dodecahedron Star Lantern lit with a candle.....

I love to linger over at the Childhood Magic Blog and I just had to try and make a Dodecaheron Star Lantern. Unfortunately, my son does not have the dexterity to help me with this project, thou our whole family was able to enjoy in it’s beauty.

Dodecahedron Star Lantern made with watercolor paper and painted with watercolors.....

The only major difference that I did from the tutorial is I coated the inside and the outside with Glossy Modge Podge. Modge Podge is non-toxic and non-flammable, so I thought it would protect it a bit. Interestingly, the Modge Podge brightened the paint colors, which was fine with me

just beautiful......

The tutorial can be found here.

I have been busy taking a couple classes which finally enticed me to pick up my beading needle and work with leather. Here are a few pictures, more to come when I finish the class. Maybe you can take a guess at what these items are….

sneak peek two

a fellow classmate working on her project, i love how the sunlight falls on her hand and the project

complete outfit

The yarn is handspun singles I did on my Louet Wheel. I handpainted the wool prior to spinning with some of my favorite colors. It’s a bit wild, but perfect for a child. And the parents are waiting until the birth to find out the sex of the baby, so the colors are perfect for a boy or a girl.

kimono, booties, & longies

I really hope they like it!

newborn sized kimono

The Scoop:

Pattern: Seamless Infant Kimono by Carina Spencer

Yarn: My Handspun Hand-Dyed Blue Faced Leicester Singles Spun on my Louet Wheel, Cascade 220 Solids

Needles: US Size 8 Circular & DP Needles

Special Techniques: I-Cord, Seed St., Stockinette St.

As usual I had a blast making this kimono, especially when I  use my handspun!

close up of waist band

Finally I had the chance to tweak my pattern for longies, and now I am happy that I have my own set pattern to work from! These longies are part of a layette set I had been working on, and I wanted to use my handspun, but needed a solid color to go with my multi color. Also, the layette had to be unisex, for the baby is going to be a surprise.

newborn sized longies

The Scoop:

Pattern: Longies by Big Sky Mountain Designs

Yarn: My Handspun Hand-Dyed Blue Faced Leicester Singles Spun on my Louet Wheel, Cascade 220 Solids

Needles: US Size 6 Circular Needles, US Size 8 Circular & DP Needles

Special Techniques: I-Cord, Stockinette St., Garter Stitch, Kitchener Stitch