CrabGrassAcres

http://www.denblauwenswaen.nl/public/sites/english/techniques/sprang/sprang_how_it_works.htm

Have any of you tried "Sprang"?

Arby, knitting instructions are a foreign language!

I'm hoping to try some stinging nettle fiber at some point. There are none growing wild here or I'd harvest them. Seems that it would make good sock yarn. I want to try to make this spinning "wheel": Hobby Robotics » Build Your Own Electric Spinning Wheel

I've got some fleece ordered, and I want to try spinning too.

Thanks! Spacing is 1/2 inch on the top bar and about 1/3 inch on the sides. I'm using 3 strands of mohair, because it is such fine yarn. I'd like to try some thicker yarn another time, when I get some. I've never done any other weaving, so really can't compare. I do like to see it work up fast. Definitely faster than either knitting or crochet. I used to do a lot of both, but it made my hands cramp so that I gave it up. Some day I'd like to try using a floor loom to see how I like it, but this isn't a good time. Anyhow, I think once I get the hang of this it will suffice. A person could sew two triangles together for a blanket too.

Here it is, this morning. I'm using kid mohair, probably not the best choice for a first project, but it is what I have to use.

I'm thinking there has to be a way to adjust the tension. If you get the warp strings tight enough not to tangle at the start, then before you are close to done with the center, they are so tight you can't work. When I finish this shawl and take it off the loom, I'm going to split the top bar and bolt it to a tensioning bar. The bottom joint can be unscrewed and bolted to a second bar.

Finished the loom yesterday and got right to work weaving. I was about to pull my hair out in frustration because I was making so many mistakes. Then I took half of a flat curtain rod and drilled a hole at the straight end to fit over one of the top pegs and am using it for a shed stick. Made all the difference! My half rod is as tall as the weaving area so it should work for the entire thing. Made a lot more progress today, not having to tear out and redo.

That would be cool, Arby, if you could make one too! I am so glad your roof is being repaired! I wouldn't want to be in this mobile home in a big quake. That 4.8 a few weeks back wasn't that close, but I felt it here. A bigger, close one might knock the house off the blocks. Sure would scare me spitless.

I made plates of thin plywood and screwed them to the back over the joints. I can unscrew them and bolt them back as needed. The video of the lady weaving on the rectangular loom showed the long side to be multiples of the short side. I have equal numbers of pegs on each side, so I would use however many pegs I needed. I think the one she is using can have pegs removed or added so it is more versatile than mine. I've got about 2/3 of the pegs done. Hopefully can get started soon with weaving!

I started with panel nails, but didn't have enough, mainly because I can't find the rest of the ones I bought. So I am chopping wire salvaged from a welded wire fence that fell apart, into 1 - 1 1/4 inch pieces and pounding those into the holes I drilled. I figured I'd push the wires out a bit so the yarn won't slip off. I would buy more nails, but can't get to the store. (The bolt cutters make it easy to chop the wire.) I was thinking, I could make another long side and use the 3 sides I'm working on now to make a rectangular loom later. It looks like you need the long sides of the rectangle to be a multiple of the short sides. I could use every other or every third peg on the short sides to make it come out and use heavier yarn for a blanket or even a rug.

Mine is rather rough compared to those! I'm not the very best carpenter and can't get my rows of nails straight to save my life!

http://www.wrensnestfiberarts.com/weaving.html Have you tried one of these? Looks a lot more complicated. I'm still putting in the nails, and putting in the nails, and putting..........

Mother, did you do continuous weave on the rectangular loom? I'm thinking of making a large square for blankets, though I might do some with the tri-loom and chain them together like in the video Christy posted.

How to build and use a tri-loom Arby, I've been following the instructions here to build it. I haven't used one before. I used an 8' and a 10' piece of 1x4 pine for the frame and I'm using panel nails for the pegs, alternating white and brown. I cut three pieces of lauan plywood from a scrap to screw across the joints to hold them together and that is working well. Under $10 for the whole thing. Should be able to make a lot of shawls with it. I think I could sew two shawls together for a lap throw and maybe 4 would make a blanket with thick yarn.

Making progress on the tri-loom. Only 350 or so more holes to drill! LOL

I want to make a tri-loom and do some shawls. Can't knit or crochet anymore, it makes my hands hurt too much.

Lots and lots of yellow summer squash. I'm using the big cabinet incubator to dry stuff and it works really well. Have the temp set at 104.

Butterbeans are large shelled Limas that have not been dried. They are cooked fresh or frozen. Best cooked with some fat back or bacon and served with fresh hot cornbread, sliced tomatoes on the side and a big glass of sweet tea.

I cut a strip of thin plywood to the width of the window plus a couple inches on each side, so width plus 4 inches and the height is about 3 inches. Make a little pocket on the back of the quilt to slip the wood strip in and screw the strip to the window on each side. Use screws long enough to go thru the sheet rock into the wood framing (not the thin molding). When you take them down you can put a dab of white toothpaste in the hole and a little bit of paint. Try not to mar the molding though. Make the width of the pocket a few inches shorter than the width of the quilt so you can cover the end of the wood with the quilt. This holds the quilt firmly against the frame and stops air circulating behind the quilt. You can pull the quilt to one side or to the middle and tie it if you like during the day.

Fleece makes a good batting and sometimes you can get it cheaper than regular quilt batting. It works well for window quilts that you don't want to have to quilt or tie. The ones I'm making have a white backing, a white fleece fabric fill and a pretty print fabric towards the inside of the room. If I manage to get them done in a reasonable amount of time I'll post pix. My machine needs some maintenance and that is slowing me down.

Praying.

Fresh yellow squash from the garden (first of the season!) fried with potatoes and onions. Glass of sweet tea to go with and that's enough for me.

I was just looking out the window and watching all FOURTEEN goats mowing the lawn! LOL I only wanted one for milk. How'd I end up with FOURTEEN? Then there are the hens showing the chicks how to find bugs and the clucky ducks setting on their nests and the geese busy trying to hatch more goslings. Is it any wonder I'd rather be outside than in?