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Kente cloth inspired table runner
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| Hindu Toran Vest |
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| Hoichol Lightening Towels |
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A note from Kathleen: Paradise Fibers is one of my local yarn shops, and they carry everything from yarn to spinning wheels to looms (and all of the accoutrement necessary, too!). I'm always attracted to the weaving section of the store, and I've said before that I'd like to get into weaving. I'd like to start with a small table-top loom and make scarves, table-runners, placemats, and so forth.
One of my colleagues is a recent convert to weaving. I asked her about it and here's what she said, "The thing about weaving that I love is the finished product.
I can use knitting yarns with my rigid-heddle loom, and using a 2 x 2 pattern
in the warp and weft I can get this complicated houndstooth scarf that looks
like I spent hundreds of dollars on it, when it only took a couple of hours. So, as a convert to the weaving worldwoven cloth has an
air to it that I'm drawn to, reminds me of tapestries and riches. And, being a
crafter, having a finished product that looks so divine is intriguing and
addicting."
I'm pretty sure I'd really like weaving. I've been browsing the new issue of Handwoven, and it's got me thinking that I need to get on this urge; I need to go forth and weave! I think I'll sign up for a class at Paradise Fibers. There's a loom buying guide in this issue of Handwoven magazine, where about 50 types of looms are reviewed! I can probably find my starter loom in this group, don't you think?
I asked Handwoven Managing Editor Pattie Graver to tell you about the new issue; I hope you'll be inspired, too!
Hello Knitters!
How many of you made "learning to weave" one of your New Year's
resolutions? Maybe you've been thinking about purchasing a loom, but you don't
know where to begin. Maybe you hear looms described as jack, counterbalance, or
countermarch and think they sound like code words used by the FBI. Perhaps
you're hesitating because looms can be costly, and you are not sure how to care
for them.
Well, I'm happy to tell you that the January/February issue of Handwoven magazine addresses these
concerns.
You can learn about different types of looms in our Material Matters
department; our editor, Madelyn van der Hoogt, dispels any misconceptions you
may have about weavers being FBI informants. She gives clear descriptions of
the different types of looms and their appropriate uses. We have also included
a bonus insert that offers comprehensive information on looms available for
purchase. It's a handy guide to over
50 looms!
Of course, Handwoven also
includes projects. In this special issue the theme is the Meaning of Cloth and
we give you ideas on ways to celebrate, communicate, and commemorate with
cloth. We've got projects inspired by kente cloth, the Huichol culture, Scottish tartans, and more.
There
are a number of projects in the magazine that could even present a challenge to
knitters. For example, inspired by a
Hindu toran (a toran is a decorative door
hanging), Sarah Jackson wove a stunning vest. I would love to see a knitted
version using a side-to-side technique. In fact, any of the projects in the
magazine could be used as a knitting challenge, but we really think you'll like weaving, and we want you to come
on over to the warped side of the fiber world.
So go ahead, subscribe to Handwoven and remember that we'll be there to help you as you become a weaver.
Be warped!
—Pattie