Short Ripple

I was hoping to do a soft ripple - easy to do in crochet, not feasible in weaving. The holes don't line up to make it work unless you skip some holes and make longer stitches.

Instead, a five stitch chevron will do for the design I was trying to achieve.

Also, since I like to start in the middle of the piece, I find it easier to weave if I cut the basting yarn at each end and slowly unravel it as I work out to each side.

Thanks for visiting with me,

Kathi

Selvage Edge

I noticed that three sides of this fabric have cut edges and one side has a selvage edge. This would make an unsightly border and can't be easily woven through.

My first step with this fabric will be to trim this edge off, being very careful to cut in the first rows of spaces - a straight edge.

Then I will fold all four edges and baste a different color of yarn to hold the edges in place until I can weave them together.

Thanks for visiting with me.

Kathi

Cutting the Yarn

I got a piece of mesh the right size for the project I have in mind. I laid it out and LOOSELY laid a length of yarn along its length, leaving several inches at each end for the length that will be taken up in the weaving and for fringing.

Next, I looked for something to wrap the yarn around that would be about the length I'd just measured against the fabric.

Too short

Too long

Even though three card table legs were more length than I needed, it was to closest thing I could find to wrap the yarn. 

Yes, you can cut a few lengths at a time to the exact length you want. That's not to my taste. I would prefer to trim some extra yarn at the end of the project and have a bunch of strands handy to weave. I always cut a large number at first and then count the number I will need when I get closer to the end of the project.

Here's how I do it.

Tie a slip knot at the beginning of the yarn. Slip it over the first table leg. Wind the yarn around the number of legs that will give you the proper length.

Cut the yarn at the same end as the slip knot.

For me, the easiest way is to hang the cut yarn over a hanger. That will keep the strands loose and even.

Next, I'm going to try to weave a soft wave rather than a chevron pattern. Wish me luck.

Thanks for visiting with me.

Kathi

New Mesh

I went to Joann Fabrics yesterday and bought almost a whole bolt of utility mesh. I noticed a couple of things right away.

First, the fabric is softer than the vintage Bucilla mesh I've been using. I think it would need to be handled carefully in order not to bunch up. I would need to be sure to stretch it after each pull of the yarn through the fabric.

Secondly, the fabric itself is spaced slightly differently.

Here's a comparison photo:

Bucilla on the left. Joann Fabrics mesh on the right.

Both will work. The Joann Fabric mesh will make a softer, sleeker product. Just remember to watch for bunching.

Thanks for visiting with me.

Kathi

Knotted and Done

The lap robe I've been working on is finished. I tied the edge knots and trimmed the long ends this morning.

Maybe you will be better at tying knots than I am. Please forgive the unevenness.

I do know that double knotting the ends makes a wild and crazy fringe. The ends stick out all over. They need to be tied with an overhand knot two or three at a time. You can tie more ends at once if you wish, keeping in mind that the clusters will be farther apart and you might bunch up the edge if you pull the knots too close.

The one thing to think of is that the knots need to include at least one over and one under strand so the knots stay at the edge where they belong.

I'm getting more fabric tomorrow. Big project to work on by the middle of July.

Thanks for visiting with me.

Kathi

Weaving Again

I'm putting together two new projects. One is a lap robe with interesting yarn.

I tried crocheting with this yarn but it made too dark a fabric. Using the same yarn for weaving on mesh spreads out the darker colors and makes a happier garment.

More to come.

Thanks for visiting with me,

Kathi