A little Weaving!

Back in January, I went down the supermarket with my husband, and on the drive back, I wanted to go another way..... lucky we did..... as I spotted this sad looking 4-shaft loom on the side of the road. I could just feel my husbands eyes roll as I turned to say.... STOP!!!.... So a knock on the door, to do the right thing, and a few minutes later, it was in my seat all buckled in, and I had to walk home (with a spring in my step, I must add).

So first a little history, I have... wanted a proper weaving loom since way back in the 80s, however could not justify the new addition to my other textile related items, also the expense with a new home, husband, and soon children... plus did not have the time for more crafty stuff anyway.

However, back in 2013 I won a competition, for one of the new 'Sampleit' 20cm Looms from Ashford.... yay!!!! 

 Finally, a step in the direction of an almost proper loom.... then I picked up an 80cm wide Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom for only $50..... yay!!!! A great width to do some weaving.

...... and now this 60cm 4-shaft 'fixer upper' for $0! (I did spend about $120 to upgrade to Texolv heddles, a new reed & other bits and bobs).

4-shaft weaving is very new to me and I will have to do some serious setting up to do some cool designs, but it is all fixed up and ready to go!

(For the benefit of my sister-in-law.... it might not be a 'stor vävstol', but this is the next best thing that I can justify getting into the house!)

 

'Susan Bates' Finishing Needles

I had a chance to try out a new (well new to me) product, while I was away in Sydney. This product, I had bought some time ago, but like all good yarn crafters, I have a favourite sewing up needle, and rarely stray. So since I was off to Sydney for a small break (yes, I took away some commission work to finish off, but trust me when it was finished I had a break!)..... back on track...... I was not going to risk taking my favourite needle away with me, with a higher chance of loosing it somewhere far away.

So I decided to give this new product a whirl. The product is the 'Susan Bates Finishing Needles'.... did I like it, well yes, will I change from my favourite needle.... ahh no.

Don't get me wrong, it was good, once you got used to it, and it definitely has major advantages with weaving in short loose ends, and that being said, I wish I still had the link to a video on their use, as it really highlights the dreaded short end fixing.

The finishing needles come in various sizes, to cover loads of yarn thickness, and I will most definitely be using the very large ones, with the really thick yarns, that I would weave in using a crochet hook.

Susan Bates does have a Facebook page with some other interesting accessories, the Tassel maker which I am might just have to try out!
https://www.facebook.com/SusanBatesHooksNeedles