In my younger days, there were at least two companies that packaged yarn, a length of utility mesh, a long needle, and a pattern. Frankly, some of the patterns needed a translator, but more on that later.
I made two afghans like this. Both were done in the simplest pattern possible. I had no idea that there were variations available. They are easy to make and are lighter weight than afghans made by knitting or crocheting.
Recently, as I was trolling eBay, I found more kits, "vintage" they call them now. I ordered the ones that I found because I was curious about the different ways the mesh could be worked. As you can see from the picture above, all I knew how to do was to weave in a straight line.
Well, not any more, baby!! I've learned that the mesh can be woven in any direction and in any pattern I care to dream up. I can even make the same pattern look different depending on how I use the needle.
Curious? Please join me in this super simple, very rewarding old-new craft. We're going to bring it back if we can.
Welcome to mesh weaving. The materials are cheap (See the Amazon ad on the right. Jo-Ann Fabrics also carries this material, but it costs twice as much and other vendors sell it for up to $9.99 per yard. Phew!). The designs can be as simple or as complex as you choose to make them, and each piece can be a work of art.
Stay tuned. There's much more to come.
Thanks for visiting with me.
Kathi Linz
This is outstanding. I have wanted to try it for several years. Where do you get the mesh? I will read over your site again and see if it says, but a quick look at the big box craft stores reveals nothing.
ReplyDeleteClaudia, You won't find these kits anymore unless they happen to show up for bid on eBay or sites like that. You can find the utility mesh on Amazon for a really good price as well as the 5" weaving needles. Joanne Fabrics has it as well, but for a much higher price. If you click on the ad bar next to this post, you will go directly to the mesh fabric with the best price I know of and you can buy it in any length you wish. Thanks for asking.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have tried some swatches.
DeleteHi, I can't seem to find any instructions or books on this subject. I 'be tried Pintrest, and other sites to no avail. Please help me.
ReplyDeleteIf you would like to purchase the tutorial I wrote, you can buy it on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Weaving-Utility-Mesh-Kathi-Linz-ebook/dp/B00R1ZXN92. You will find most of the information that I put in the tutorial here on the mesh weaving blog. Please feel free to do it either way.
ReplyDelete