NOBO Handweavers

Gaby’s presentation was a gift  not only of textiles and traditions, but also a glimpse into the culture which she so dearly loves.  Many thanks for sharing so much with us.  How apropos  to have this great effort of Andean cultural preservation hosted at Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, our own local gem of historical preservation and education.

If you would like to see more pictures please see the NOBO gallery.

Hi all,

Sorry I have been so absent from Guild meetings. I think life is beginning to settle down again and I have hopes of fitting those in once more.

In the meantime, I have been weaving my first project on the Norwood loom (you can see my adventures on my blog. This first project is bath towels and I have actually finished one!

So of course I am never happy unless I have the next project planned which will be a blanket! I have the pattern and yarn all picked out. The yarn is Harrisville Shetland 2 ply.

I will weave the blanket in two panels. I am still puzzling as to whether I will weave them on the same warp, thus creating a pattern, or different warps, thus keeping more or less the pattern I selected.

My questions are:
How to make sure the panels are the same length? What do you all use to do that? Do I measure under tension or not? I have read a lot of contrary opinions out there on the web.
And how to attach the panels together so they don’t look attached?
And finish the fabric before or after attaching?

Any thoughts are welcome!

I recently came into a few cones of rayon chenille yarns [*cough*kathie's fault*cough*] that I’d like to use to make a scarf. I’ve heard it can be tricky to use. One thing I read said that it’s best to use a plain weave to prevent worming, etc.

Do you have any tips or pointers you’d like to share?

If I end up with the plain weave, I’d most likely use the Wolf Pup, and a 12 dent reed is what I’m thinking. Is one type of shuttle better than another?

Well, the first project is off the loom.

I never imagined what a 9-yard warp would look like once it was actually woven:

It’s not all the same pattern or weft going through it all, but it was a LOT of fun to weave. And even more fun to un-warp (?), de-warp (?), take off the loom.

originally, I wanted to make a jacket, but I’m just a few feet shy for the pattern. For now,  it’s going to be a shawl and will most likely be a Holiday gift.

Last rainy and gray Thursday, the mail lady delivered Benita’s weaver’s swap fabric to my house. Once I opened the box, I couldn’t stop smiling. Teal’s one of my very favorite colors and the fabric just brightened my day. Benita included lots of yarn to assist in my bag making adventure. I’m starting to get an image in my head and can’t wait to begin sketching and sewing.
I’ll post the final bag I mail to Benita and also the bag she sends me.
This has been one of the best swaps I’ve ever done