Weaverly

Something New

Here is a change: for the primary layer in this lampas sample, I've switched to 2/2 straight twill instead of plain weave. The secondary weft is cotton chenille, which hides the secondary warp almost entirely. But you can definitely see the twill in the primary layer in the following samples (blue warp, navy weft). The primary cloth is untied (aka pocketed). 

If you've read "The Liftplan Connection" (see sidebar), you will recognize the Photoshop Shear filter at work.

Click on the last image to enlarge it; the twill lines of the primary cloth (blue & black) run up to the right, and those of the secondary cloth (beige chenille on a fine apricot silk warp, barely visible) run up to the left. Shazam!

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A Slight Adjustment

A long-ago lampas woven on the TC-1. Satin in the primary cloth. Tied areas, no pockets. 

I needed a 12x12 mounted work for a local group exhibition, and cut up this piece, which had been languishing in a box. Stretched over padding. 

Maybe this will breathe new life into it.

The Very Long Short Warp

Sample weaving is fun! No place to go, no schedules to meet. And this is the longest short warp I've ever put on. I know that eventually I'll have to wind another one, but meanwhile I'm just enjoying the ride.

 

 

And yes, they're all lampas.

Eggs Again

A few days ago, in a comment on this post, Charlotte suggested that the forms look like Easter eggs. I believe she's right! I decided to switch pattern and ground and really emphasize the egginess. 

By using a self-striping sock knitting yarn, the Easter egg motif is further emphasized. Thanks for a good idea, Charlotte. Here's a closer view:

Introducing Linen

In this lampas sample, the primary weft is two strands of 20/2 cittib (two slightly different shades of dark blue) and the secondary weft is a nice fat singles tow linen, pink. The salmon silk warp is practically invisible against the linen, put it does show as a distinct twill texture.

 

The primary cloth is still plain weave. 

A Few Diagonals

I've switched the primary weft from blue to green. Secondary weft bamboo.

I like the way the diagonals of the weave run counter to the diagonals of the design. I get excited about things like that.

Still lampas. All the time. This is your 24-hour lampas station.

A Lucky Discovery

Saturday, in a break in the weather, we were lured outside and took a ride in the country. Spring was certainly bursting. In a nearby area of small lakes and peach orchards, we passed a field of grazing alpacas.

 

At the very next driveway, appeared a large sign that said YARN. Who could ignore that? I certainly couldn't. We drove up to an enormous shedlike structure and went inside. I felt like I'd gone through the looking glass. In a good way. This is just one small section of a heavenly place called North Woods Farm Fiber & Yarn. Who would have expected this out deep in the country?

I spent a delicious half hour exploring, and eventually left with a few ounces of alpaca roving in a cafe au lait shade. Perhaps for a weft in a lampas project? You never know.

As we left, this guy asked us to come back soon. I'm sure of it.

More Texture

Same lampas sample warp as yesterday. Changing direction in yarn choices here. Primary weft is bamboo same as warp, but green instead of blue. Secondary weft a highly textured silk noil, gold color. Click to enlarge.

The Three Bears

The first one is too squashed. The second one is too elongated. The third one is just right. 

Now here's the interesting part:

See the horizontal white picks about halfway down? Below that dividing line the circles are woven in  primary cloth with complete separation between the two layers. Above the dividing line the circles are in tied double cloth. Subtle, but a useful distinction. If the areas of primary cloth are very small, double cloth works well. But if there are large areas of double cloth, it works better to have them tied. In both cases, the secondary cloth has a fine salmon silk warp and acid yellow bamboo weft. In the areas of true double cloth, you can barely see the salmon warp.

A Second Lampas Sample Warp

The new element here is a jeans twill for the secondary warp. Warp ratio 2:1. Bamboo & silk.

Simple blocks. Secondary weft here is red tencel.

Figuring out yarn & sett combinations:

In the following detail, the secondary weft is bamboo in acid yellow. Primary cloth (blue) is plain weave, untied. You can just barely detect the secondary warp (salmon silk).

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