Testing

So far, so good. Plainweave, log cabin, and Rosepath samples.  I really thought I was going to thread up Goose-eye, but it came out Rosepath.

Winding on

18 yards of Swedish mattvarp on the back beam tonight.  Threading tomorrow.

salt and pepper

Salt and pepper, black and white. I always go back to them for my rug warps, because they keep the color and design lively.  They aren't neutral.  They are black and white, simply, or complexly.  The long rug is one I wove a few years ago, called Geranium, after my old lady geranium that bit the dust, after living with me in my shop for ten years. I haven't seen this rug in a long time, and it looks like an old friend to me. It has a black and white 12/6 Swedish mattvarp, log cabin warp.  I'm about to embark on a new rug project, and though I'm a rag rug weaver at heart, it's been a little while since I've actually woven one.

Black and white, log cabin or pincheck? I haven't used pincheck in years, but I always like the rugs where I used it.

To make room for the new rugs, I just cut off a 20 ft length of ragweave from my sturdy Kessinich loom. This is also black and white warp, 2 inch solid stripes, threaded in Rosepath. I'm going to wash and dry it, and then have my own bolt of ragweave to cut and sew into pillows, work aprons, and woodland animals. I'm just pumped to have a long bolt of fabric I wove to do with as I please.

Fool's Economy

I don't expect to be a speedy warper, but I want to dislike warping less.  This week I discovered a new warping trick involving my well used plastic, wide space comb, from the Dollar Store, and some masking tape.  I've significantly improved my warping efficiency. I may even look forward to it, a little. Eureka!

I also gained an insight this week, for the last time, I hope.  It takes a long time for insights to  penetrate this head,  I've noticed.  Here it is:  When a warp goes wrong, for any reason, DO NOT PROCEED.  I should have this tattooed on my arm.  By some habit of mind, in the part of the brain where the most primitive ideas hold sway, I cling to the idea that frugality is the first principle. This is  my default option. I'm usually not aware that I am choosing it.

But to be frugal with materials, and not with my time is the wrong way to better, more profitable weaving.  Deciding to remove warp that is wound unevenly, or has knots, or any number of other possible problems, or defects, before weaving begins, does waste that warp, and the time already invested in the warping.  Making the decision to cut it off, throw it out,  and start over is difficult, but saves so much time later on in ease of weaving. It also assures better quality in the finished woven fabric. Weaving better quality in my weaves is my goal, as well as  making better designs, with better colors. I know this is not news to most of you, but I want to state publicly that I now know it, understand it, and will live by it henceforth. I've seen the light.

Being frugal with materials, trying to save every mistake, is false economy. I'm only fooling myself. The highest value added is my time,  not the yarns.

Cat Pause

On the verge of despair over the presently unfolding political catastrophe of the Debt Ceiling games, I'm focusing on my new kitten. I brought him home because of his poly-dactylism (paws with more than the usual number of toes) but have also discovered his charming personality. I knew I'd like him. To play with a kitten doesn't mean I'm no longer a Feminist, Marxist, Cultural Socialist, it just means I'm going to give it a rest.

The little cat was here in the store on Saturday, until I remembered the folly of allowing a  kitten in a weaving workshop.

My new rosepath scarf warp in 16/2 softest Swedish cotton, charcoal gray and the color of a luna moth,  was clawed and tangled even more as I tried to extract him, and the 36 claws he might possess.
(I haven't been able to get a good count of the toes yet, but there may be as many as 9 on each paw).

Meanwhile, customers arrived, children, parents, grandparents, campers from the campground across the street, two of my cat-craziest customer-neighbors (you know who you are).  The air was conditioned (very cool) and the kitten was frisky. No one was in a hurry to leave.

Since he isn't named yet, I soon had a list of kitten name suggestions, and people advocating for their favorite.  Jasper, Chester, Felix, Smoky, Hector, Goober, Tootsie, Thumper, Killer, and Stanley.  Several people strongly favored Tootsie.  I like Iko, not sure why.  But so far it seems to come down to Big Foot, the obvious name.  Kitten enjoyed all the attention, and I felt my ominous black-cloud thoughts lifting, refreshed in the company of good-hearted people.

At work

Our sturdy little town plow truck does it again.  I'm at work on a new scarf warp, calculating and winding on to my little Norwood studio loom.  The threads this time are silk, 16/2 Bockens Swedish cotton, and tencel.  The design, Finnish Birds Eye, a diamond twill.   My spool rack is the side of our old baby crib.