June 23, 2005
Weavers, Come Out!
I was looking back through the comments and was surprised at how many people I associate with knitting admit to having a loom and sometimes (or formerly) weaving. What stopped you, or what keeps you from it? Is it the more solo nature of the craft or the (relative) dearth of "designs" akin to knitting designs, or perhaps the lack of fellow weavers to keep you motivated?
Did I do the kumi himo? (Sounds like a dance, eh?) Why, yes I did. I couldn't say it on the phone... kumi humo? komi kumo? homi kugo? gitchi goomy?... but the actual thing itself is very pleasurable. I made one very simple four-bobbin cord and then practiced tying a chinese ball knot (scroll down on the page for instructions) with it. Envision this as a frog closure on a jacket.
I used DMC pearl cotton for these, but silk is definitely going to be superior. The cotton looks a little jaded after my fiddling with it so much to tie the knot.
My second project, still on the marudai, is an eight-bobbin hard round cord using four colors. I had to leave it because I gave up and took a pain pill (the wretched neck again) and couldn't quite concentrate enough to avoid mistakes. If I have time before taking off for Oregon this morning, I'll finish it.
I suppose that kumi himo could be called a "weftless" weaving technique. I looked through my lucet cording book last night (I haven't tried using my lucet yet, but soon, very soon!) and the two techniques are similar or I should say they produce similar cordings, but the kumi himo is capable of producing more intricate braids with less confusion.
Janine mentioned that Sara Lamb will be teaching kumi himo at SOAR, and I hadn't realized that because at the time I signed up for SOAR I wasn't thinking anything remotely related to kumi himo. I am so looking forward to taking classes there (and of course to seeing Janine and her friend Greg!).
The Crips and I are heading out later this morning. If you're going to Black Sheep, look for me in a bright red tee-shirt, possibly with red capris or with jeans. Introduce yourself, I'd love to meet you. And Sandy, I'd better be finding you there, hopefully with Miss Tiri!
Lastly, about that baby sweater, it's in Dale 106 and I don't see any reason why an adventurous knitter couldn't upsize it to an adult size. Just take your favorite sport-weight round-yoke sweater pattern and add the patterning in. I think it would be really pretty on an adult, very feminine, and the bottom motif would cause a small peplum to form, so if you made it so that the peplum started on or right below your waistline it would be quite flattering.
Go for it!
Life is good.
That kumihimo-making thing (what's it called again?) looks just like a gigantic knitting spool! Is the braid it produces anything like i-cord?
Posted by: Beth S. on June 23, 2005 08:43 AMIt does, doesn't it?! The braid doesn't really look like I-cord, but it could certain be used in place of I-cord on the edge of a garmet or as a band or tie. Some braids are hard and some are soft; it depends on the twisting sequence and the type of materials. They are different shapes, too, in the cross-section. Round, square, flat, hollow, it's quite amazing what can be produced. I can imagine braiding a softish cord and then picking up for knitting.
Posted by: Sheila on June 23, 2005 08:46 AMit looks just like the braids all the kids are into making from these plastic laces. although those only have four threads...
scoubi dous I think they call them. driving me nuts, I cannot start one off.
Posted by: noonie on June 24, 2005 01:48 AMOh, have fun in Oregon! My buddy, Sheila Erns, the glass button goddess will be there, so stop by her booth and say hello. I bet the you will love the buttons and her tools are So great. Next year, baby, next year...
Posted by: Lisa S on June 24, 2005 08:22 AMI don't know why I quit weaving. I have a loom and plenty of yarn. I even had someone to give me lessons, for free, whenever I wanted. I still have the loom which is taking up lots of room that could be used for yarn storage. I tried spinning too. Same thing. I gave away my wheel and all the fleeces and roving. So those are things that just didn't click. Knitting, however, rules my life.
Posted by: Larry on June 26, 2005 06:19 AMI quit weaving when I got my AVL. Darned thing is so intimidating, what with 16 harnesses and the dobby et al. I managed a couple of projects, before I had to move (ended up cutting the last one off - no big, it was just perle cotton), and now I have no room for the big one.
Between school and the internet, I don't have time for more than knitting (which is wonderful) right now. I tried spinning, without much in the way of good results. I tend to hold on to the fiber too much, and not trust it to flow freely.
My intention (when I'm back in a space where I have room for the AVL) is to get back to weaving, eventually. But I don't have any oomph right now to even consider weaving with the available 8-harness table loom that's gathering dust in the corner.
Speaking of the AVL, did I mention that by the time I was 1/2 way through dismantling the damned thing that I was ready to just drag the rest of it out for curb-side trash pickup? (no, I didn't).
It wasn't a good investment. I'll never get the $4000 I spent for it back out of it... so I might as well keep it, and start weaving again.
Posted by: sravana on June 26, 2005 10:49 AM