April's Blog
I wove squares on the 7″ Hazel Rose multi-loom and then couldn’t decide what do to with them. The owner of Fibers of Vision in Ashland suggested sewing each in the middle of a fabric square. That is what I did for both Lily and Jackson. With the addition of ribbon, the effect was lovely.
The second weekend was a shower for Megan with many friends and family
And was respirited by a visit to the house concert at Licia’s house. Marian Grebanier, Cosmas Magaya, Nathan Beck, and Eric Orem performed many traditional songs with Cosmas telling stories about the mbira and the songs. He also said that he was the last member alive of his original mbira group which made it very lovely to play with Marian and Nathan who are long time mbira players and great friends to him. He said that the political situation is getting better in Zimbabwe.
I was so charmed by the evening, I felt once again like I could trudge along and love mbira even though it is a great mystery how that love came to me and wrapped me in its arms.
The Shona people feel so familiar. I feel part of the tribe, part of the people, part of the music. My Ashland mbira partner wrote while I was in the concert that we must get together this week. It has been so hard to do so since I am traveling and he is in Grants Pass.
32 inch Kromski harp rigid heddle loom. 10 dent reed.
Warp goes well with warping peg instead of the warp pegs that turn the back of this loom into a warping board (for longer warps). Minor mishap, puppies find brown ball of yarn and turn it into a massive mess (see top of warping peg).
320 threads pulled to the front of the heddle (warp wound on to the back beam). Ready for threading…one of each pair of threads will go through the eye of the heddle.
Warp below wound on to the back beam (from the back beam side).
The tie up begins from the outsides in. I thread the eyes of the heddle at the same time as tying up 10 threads at a time in a traditional tie-up.
Tie up complete.
Weaving begins. I am reminded that warp selection is important. I had been weaving on a knitter’s loom from Ashford. The eyes in the heddle were larger so less wear on the knitting yarn. Two threads are dangerously weak in the early weaving. Use fray check from my sewing box to help prevent some fraying.
Weave color is lighter than I anticipated. Called Yarn Garden in Portland to get another skein of brown. Plan to weave weft in stripes. They were very helpful.
Going to order the 8 dent reed for Lily’s blanket. I think it will allow me to use this knitting yarn a little easier. The dent size is good for Jackson’s blanket, the holes are just a little small.
This stand can be used for my Navajo loom if I so choose. Weaving helps me hold a space for moving to Portland
Travel to Portland 3 weekends in a row. First Jennifer’s shower which was lovely given by 3 or 4 of her good friends.
The second weekend was a shower for Megan with many friends and family
This weekend was mother’s day spent with both Trev and Jennifer and Nick and Megan. Lovely experience. To this I added the potential for weaving a baby blanket:
And was respirited by a visit to the house concert at Licia. Marian Grebanier, Cosmas Magaya, Nathan Beck, and Eric Orem performed many traditional songs with Cosmas telling stories about the mbira and the songs. He also said that he was the last member alive of his original mbira group which made it very lovely to play with Marian and Nathan who are long time mbira players and great friends to him. He said that the political situation is getting better in Zimbabwe.
I was so charmed by the evening, I felt once again like I could trudge along and love mbira even though it is a great mystery how that love came to me and wrapped me in its arms.
The Shona people feel so familiar. I feel part of the tribe, part of the people, part of the music. My Ashland mbira partner wrote while I was in the concert that we must get together this week. It has been so hard to do so since i am traveling and he is in Grants Pass.
New babies and existing grandchildren (Bennett), music, and weaving, are all part of what I can live with in Portland, what welcome me. Blogging has helped me to sort out what will remain. My children Trev, Nick, and Anna have been instrumental in reminding me that all I need is love.. to love and be loved.
I wove small pieces on both looms plus purchased a knitters loom (rigid heddle) and I wove Christmas presents one year rather remarkably. The knitter’s loom takes regular yarn and ribbon so all kinds of textures are possible with a simple weave. Took a basic class at Websters and a more advanced one there as well. Haven’t used the more advanced info (yet).
Found a great video on using a pickup stick with the rigid heddle (which is one of the advanced techniques I learned in class).
