More from November

One of the challenges members had during the year was to weave something using variegated yarn. It had been mentioned several times during the year but not aggressively promoted. We were surprised how many items were brought to be shown on our final day for the year. Not all of them had been made during the year; some had stood the test of time and come out looking great.

It was a very full meeting with this challenge and the tea towel exchange, but there was a little bit of show and tell squeezed in.

Wendy had been really active and had several of her generous size scarves to show. To date she has worked exclusively with rigid heddles and her output has been prolific and colourful.

Not able to weave at the moment, Jenny was not to be outdone on the teatowel front. She knitted both a teatowel and a dishcloth in linen and says they are really fantastic to use. 

Rose's contribution was a "tree" (complete with bird's nest)  with tatted snowflake (or star) motifs. Everyone present was happy to take one home to put on their Christmas tree.

Festive good wishes to all and happy weaving, or at least weaving planning over the holiday season. What challenges will 2018 bring I wonder.

Joyful and Triumphant!

It must surely be only weavers who get genuinely excited and thankful when they receive a teatowel as a gift.

Happy dish drying everyone. May your kitchens be merry and bright.
 

November meeting - last for the year

Part of the programme for the day was a tea towel exchange - preferably though not necessarily hand woven. We had been warned, and reminded during the year, so it was great to see so many that were truly "home grown". The only exception was a truly special one brought back from Portugal, resplendent with its red roosters.

 A great idea for a gift exchange.

I wonder what next year's challenge will be?

More photos soon

October Meeting Part 2

 Still on the combination theme, this woven top of Rose's is enhanced with hemstitching which fits in well with the hand-manipulated leno weave.

 And another top is embellished with crochet and beads.

 Jan brought out a waistcoat from a previous era. Here she is showing hidden pockets

 , , , and a not-so-hidden butterfly.

And it's reversible.

 Tricia had been working on her last piece of show and tell and it is almost ready to wear.

 It will be just the thing to wear in the Far North where she is going to live. We will miss you Tricia.

 Chris has produced yet another comfy cushion. It is woven with handspun yarn which is quite impressive for a not-very-often spinner. The reverse side is not for publication yet. That is to be her entry in the Guild President's Challenge. Well done Chris.

October Meeting, Part1

The challenge this month was to show something wearable using two or more techniques in the the same piece.  A combination of weaving and knitting was the first pairing to come to mind but there were others.

It just won't wear out! Win's woven jacket with knitted ribbing and hand made buttons must be at least thirty years old but looks as good as ever.

And Chris's Sherpa Jacket dates from the seventies. Likewise, it is still in great condition and the design is timeless. The braid trim is one of Chris's signature features.

Weaving and felting (or heavy fulling) were combined in Win's scarf. One edge had been warped with undescaled merino and the shrinkage on that side caused the other side to fall into frills.

Another scarf from Win, first woven then dyed and felted in the same process.

This one from Rose is a woven cowl with a crochet edge.

Not hand made, but Jan's jacket would be a superb design to combine weaving with knitting or crochet.

 Tricia had made this piece with ribbons and other fibres machine stitched with dissolvable fabric. After it was washed in made a perfect pocket for her new skirt.

Chris's trendy patched pants were not hand made but again gave ideas for trimming garments with leftover scraps of woven fabric or braids.

There's more to show so look for another post soon.

September 2017 - Part 2, Show and Tell

Tea towels from Joan - zingy colours, and don't the narrow stripes add class!

Linen table runner from Rose, since sent to the Area Exhibition

Is it Saori? or not? lovely colour and texture from Tricia is destined to be a summer top.

Chris has responded to the President's challenge and spun multiple skeins from different coloured fleece

Multiple luxury yarns in this scarf indicate it was made by Wendy

Watch this space. This scarf is a work in progress.