Marching on

finally there is a hint of Spring – the sky is blue, the sun is shining

but the temperatures are well below normal

I’ve been out in the garden pruning and cleaning up

ready for the municipal pick-up on the 19th

spinning in the evenings

top skein is a sample of alpaca/silk heather-y blend

below it is the same fibre, colour “silver moon”

and the pale grey is Icelandic/silk blend

they are all 2 ply, wheel spun – testing weights for use specifically as tapestry yarn

the alpaca is softer and lofty, the Icelandic a little firmer – both work nicely

woven at 10 epi

the first wrist band/cuff is finished – 8.5 inches long

 Fringeless warping means neat, finished ends

wedge weave created a scalloped edge

a buttonhole slit is woven in (on the left)

 the button was backed with a tiny square of twill tape so it wouldn’t pull out

a mother-of-pearl button is all the finishing it needed

it has taken a week of designing and changing my mind to finally decide on the next floor loom warp

linen and silk warp, shifu (paper thread) weft

the shifu/kami-ito thread takes so long to prepare and spin that it is critical to get it right

better go wind that warp before I change my mind again

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