Pair Number 2

I got the second pair of mitts done today. I took them to music night and there was only 3 of us there. Me, John who has the first pair and Bob who is not a glove wearing kinda guy. I will have to wait till next week to get ride of the second pair. If know one wants this pair I will stop knitting and I just may have a raffle or something. I am off to bed because I need my sleep because I am starting to see fish swimming through my windows and out the door. Not sure what that means? Goodnight and listen to more music!

BAD HAIR DAY!

So I went to the studio today to work on the new warp and got started and really screwed it up putting it on the lease sticks at the cross. I don't really don't feel like explaining it but know this, it is to help keep all in order and that is what I messed up. I would think if you were listening you would of heard me screaming. I don't know what I was thinking but I have done this a million times or so. The above photo is of how messed up I got this. I worked for about a half hour and went to have a beer. This was 9 am so don't yell.

This is a picture of what it should look like and I did all this after the 9 am libation. So again don't yell at me it worked...well until later any way.

Well, after I had sleighed the reed and threaded the headles this it what it looks like before I tie it to the warp beam. This is not as bad as of a mess as it looks. I have each inch tied off so that all my hard work doesn't come undone and I didn't want to have to scream and go get another beer. Well I did go get another any way. Makes the day go better.

This is a photo of the side I worked on first....see it is like your hair in the morning and I had to comb it all out as I wound it on the warp beam. THIS IS NOT THE TEXTBOOK WAY OF DOING IT!

So here it is all wound up on the beam, tied to the breast beam and the warp spread. I got the header wove and got out some rags just to see what the heck it looks like. I am happy, how about you?

LIFE IS SO MUCH EASIER WITH BEER!

Warm Hands, Warm Heart

Here is the first pair of mitts I am knitting the the fellows in the Wringers. As I said earlier it is cold in the studio. The sound in the big room is worth the cold so we always play there because we are purists and put up with it. So, the other night at practice I had my mitts on and the others were looking at me like they were going to attack me and take that which keeps my hands warm. Me being quick at thought said "I will knit you all a pair". This is a big task at hand but I know I can do it. Not sure if they will need them in the summer or not but that is when I may get all 7 pairs done. There is always next year. I gave this pair to John in hopes he won't notice I didn't pay rent yet. OH, don't worry I wrote a check tonight and put it in my wallet and I will put it in the cigar box tomorrow. Anybody else out there to put on the list?

The First Warp Of The New Year!

I spent today, New Years Day in the studio working on a commission that I got right before  Christmas. I planned it all out and wound out the warp. The whole time I was thinking that this is the first year that I didn't make or even eat pork and kraut. What am I going to do? Well I will have to just pretend that I had it. I have to look at it this way, I will look better without it. If you have left overs send them my way please.

I riped up some cloth that I bought for this project and spun it with a little carpet warp for the filler of the runner I am working on. I wasn't sure about all the threads that stick out after I ripped it up but after I spun it they disappeared. I am really liking spinning rags. I can't wait to see what happens next. Each time I get more excited than the last. I sometimes jump up and down and pee my pants but don't tell anybody. I am hopping that I will be able to stay at the studio all day tomorrow and get this done because I have a bag warp on the other loom that I really need to get going on. I posted the warp way back before Thanksgiving but had rugs ans runners to make for those who ordered them.

         I am hopping that this year will be better than the last because it really blew eggs. Think Positive!

I Have Seen The Light!

Sometimes when the sun is shinning in the window of the studio my loom just lights up and I always have to stop and take it all in. This time I took some photos so I can share it with you. I am sure it is not like actually being there but here is little bits of happiness that I go through as I am working the web. I often stop for snacks or beer also but you don't want to see photos of that anyway. I hope it moves you like it moves me.

The Race For The Runner

The day after Christmas I found myself finishing the table runner I had promised for before the big day. Here I am spinning off some rags for the weft of the runner. As you can see it was really cold in the studio. You see it costs us somewhere around $400. a month to heat the place and us being the poor starving artist we are, we put on sweaters and wear gloves and scarves to keep us toasty. I love the smell of good wool so I don't mind being cold and in fact the more I work the warmer I get. Am I hot or what? Well at least warm...

Here is the runner on the loom about to be finished and cut off. I really like the way this one came out. I am making a mental note of this pattern for I have not done anything such as this before. I am not a big fan of using the same color weft but once in a while you have to throw what it is you want out the window to achieve something else. I throw my shoes out the window right after because they were starting to smell bad. I singed and finished the ends and delivered it to the person that is was meant for later that night. She was a happy camper. Never sure if they will like it or not when done, this time it all work out.

The Rug Is In The House!

Well here it is in it's new home. You raise them from just a couple of threads, you put them in order and show them the way and what do they do? They go and live in someone Else's kitchen. I don't know what to say to you out there raising your own rugs but get used to heartbreak and sorrow. It would seem that every rug I raise has left and gone on to a better place in life. All I have left of there lives are a few empty cones and a pile of left over riped up rags. Come to think of it I am kinda like Frankenstein. Remember that a smile is just a frown turned upside down! (insert retching sound here)