Weaverly

Trio: Let Me Count the Ways

Yes, lovely Trio, my new Best Friend for 4 shafts. This was yesterday's 3-color warp of black, gray, and yellow. Each towel had a different monochrome weft: blue, lime, and red. Washed, dried, and hemmed.

I needed a little change. I have been browsing Nancy Arthur Hoskins's wonderful "Weft-Faced Pattern Weaves: Tabby to Tacqueté" and wanted to give bound weave 2/2 twill on opposites a try. From my stash I pulled some 12/6 seine cord for warp and 2-ply handspun wool for weft. My first warp was at 8 epi and that was too open, so I resleyed at 10 epi and that was perfect. This is slow but enjoyable weaving. Meditative and calming.

 

And here's something definitely not calming–––Sunday's Formula 1 race from Jedda, Saudi Arabia. Always love these.

In the Department of Books...I have finished reading two by Claire Messud: This Strange Eventful History: A Novel and The Woman Upstairs.

 

Your Feets Too Big

"Your Feet's Too Big" composed in 1936 by Fred Fisher with lyrics by Ada Benson. Recorded by many artists, notably the Ink Spots and by Fats Waller in 1939.

Well, my feets are definitely too big, especially when treadling at this loom. I have to be extremely careful not to depress more than one treadle at a time. Sometimes treadling errors are not detected until the piece is cut off, and then much teeth-gnashing and foul language ensues. 

These particular shoes are designated my "weaving shoes" as they are the narrowest in my closet. I wish I could weave barefoot, but I am not blessed with that particular skill. 

Here's a new Trio warp: black, gray, and yellow, endlessly repeated.

And here it is on the loom, with a light blue weft. It's a simple block arrangement: ABCDCBA on 4 shafts, treadled as drawn in with a 2/2 twill tieup. The contrast will pop more after this is washed. 

Department of Books:

I've just finished reading The Anthropologists by Aysegul Savas.

Trio System Notes - Do You Want Them?

Over the past few months, as you know, I have been writing here about my experiments with a design system I call "Trio." I've assembled these materials into a very rough document. It contains hand drawn diagrams, drafts, photos, and text, all loosely organized. Eight pages in all. Some of my friends have looked it over and offered constructive criticism. It's still in very rough form, with inelegant page design.  I've been revising it endlessly, but frankly, as my piscatorial homies would say, it's time to fish or cut bait. 

Is this an important contribution to the weaving literature or a midnight apparition? That's not for me to say. I'd like to make it available to you as a pdf without charge, for your entertainment. Comments welcome!

Salient points: 1. This is a design system, not a weave structure. 2. For four shafts. 3. Suitable for any yarns and setts you would use for twills. 

If this is of interest to you, please email me (email link in sidebar). If I get enough response, I'll make the document available as a download from DropBox.