A new tag: weaving

New to me.


Leclerc Dorothy table loom

I purchased this loom from Bobbin's Nest--Erin's mother is a weaver and was ready to part with her 15" Dorothy.

Other than weaving when I was a kid, I haven't done much of it. I had a plastic rigid heddle loom and my dad and I made an Inkle loom (I didn't even know it had a name until I started doing research about weaving last weekend).

Weaving is a whole new world: heddle, shafts, epi, sett, beater, reed, dent, choke, sleying. They sound like words from a Harry Potter book.

As much as I enjoy figuring things out on my own, I'd like to get started on the right foot and learn the basics from an experienced weaver. So starting next Wednesday I'll be taking the Beginning Weaving class from Hannelore at Custom Handweavers. Yay learning!

Here are just a few sites I've found helpful and my list of bookmarks continues to grow.

Leclerc
Weaving Terms [PDF]
Handwoven Magazine master yarn chart [PDF]
Handweavers Guild of America
Hand Weaving and Draft Archive
Warping board plans

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

It's going to be a hot one so I'm wearing bamboo/cotton socks.


Early Spring
Project details on Ravelry

The Best and the Würst - CA State Fair 2009

It took a while to peel ourselves away from the 100,000 Toothpick Sculpture, but we finally got our fill and looked at the rest of the Fine Arts entries.

This was my favorite piece--the origami dress and shoes:


Star Tessellated Dress and Shoes by Linda Mihara

White against white doesn't do it justice. Trust me, it was amazing.


Star Tessellated Dress and Shoes by Linda Mihara


Star Tessellated Dress and Shoes by Linda Mihara

Award of Excellence and Special Award for Innovation
Star Tessellated Dress and High Heel Shoes
Linda Mihara

This artwork is the result of my lifelong experimentation with traditional origami folding techniques.

Origami tessellations are defined as repeating shapes or patterns that are folded from a single sheet of paper. This dress, folded from a single sheet of parchment, has 112 stars folded throughout. There are no cuts. Each shoe is folded from a single uncut square.

I hope to bring a different view to origami by using it in non-traditional ways.

Here are other pieces from the Fine Arts Gallery:


Eye Candy by Elaine Bowers

Award of Merit
Eye Candy
Elaine Bowers

Definitions of "Eye Candy"

Random House: Attractive person of limited merit.

Merriam-Webster: Something superficially attractive to look at.

Wikipedia: A common slang term for visually appealing persons or effects used to draw mass attention. The implication is that they are eye catching in a superficial fashion, for example due to adding an element of sexuality. Like actual "candy" this addition is seen to be neither nutritious nor substantial, but rather provides a potentially addictive appeal which will sustain the attention of a wider audience, possibly despite their better nature.

Elaine Bowers: To have fun with a pun and play in clay on words.

Recycled Night by Aaron Buehring


7,500 bottle caps

Award of Merit
Recycled Night
Aaron Buehring

Recycled Night contains over 7,500 bottle caps, and each cap has its own story. Many came from my travels to Europe and Peru, while I picked up others off sidewalks, on golf courses, and in parks across the country. A large portion came from beverages consumed by my family, friends, and coworkers, collected over a period of many years to assist me with my creation. The collaboration among everyone in my life helped to make this a community project, which provided me to make a piece that reflects life, energy, and love.

Hardly A Davidson, by Roy Holmberg

Juror's Award
Hardly A Davidson
Roy Holmberg

This motorcycle is comprised mostly of vacuum cleaner parts. Look closely and you will see names like Kirby, Electrolux, Hoover, Compact and Eureka. A total of 11 vintage vacuum cleaners gave up their parts for this piece. I drew parts from the older machines, constructed before plastics took over. These products were constructed in this country and were built to look good and last.

I am an artist blacksmith, woodworker, biker and collector of vintage treasures (some might say junk). I enjoy scouring yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores looking for just the right parts to be combined into a seemingly recognizable object. I had a great time putting this piece together--hope you enjoy checking out my ride!

Up To My Neck by Terrence Martin


Up To My Neck by Terrence Martin

Award of Excellence
Up To My Neck
Terrence Martin

This piece is composed entirely of 1/4" and 1/2" mild steel scrap metal. Left over, or "drop-outs" from a CNC plasma cutting table were collected and saved for use in this 100% recycled sculpture. Shaped by hand with hammer and anvil, these leftover scraps were shaped and MIG welded together to form a giraffe's head and neck. Gun barrel bluing solution and automotive clear coat were then used to give it a two-tone color. This sculpture will retire after the State Fair to its final resting place at the Sacramento Zoo's new interactive giraffe exhibit this Fall.

These fellows were part of a special exhibit by Clayton Bailey--


Trio of Robots by Clayton Bailey


Robot by Clayton Bailey


Robot by Clayton Bailey


Robot by Clayton Bailey

A female robot surrounded by vintage coffee pots was on display in the Weird, Wild, and Wacky Hall. A domestic robot, how quaint.


Robot by Clayton Bailey

The Weird, Wild, and Wacky Hall had all sorts of strange collections--medical devices, tattoo instruments, vintage toasters and waffle irons, Barbie dolls, etc..

I only took a few photos--here's my first computer (I can hear the keyboard now).


My first computer

This is a device that R recognized from the attic of his childhood home.


Magneto-Electric Machine

Put electrodes on each hand and have someone turn the crank. It's a sure cure for what ails you. It's a wonder that modern physicians don't use this device today. And you call yourself a doctor?!

We ended the day with the best of the würst.


Our Würst is the Best


Lunch at the Fair

The dogs filled us up leaving no room for fried carbs covered in sugar.


Maybe next year

My first funnel cake will have to wait until the next time.

Signing off from the fair.

California State Fair
August 21 - September 7, 2009
Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento , CA 95815

100,000 Toothpicks - CA State Fair 2009

Next to the Creative Arts gallery at the California State Fair is the Fine Arts gallery. Photos, ceramics, paintings, sculptures, and mixed media are what you expect and every year is full of surprises.

Before we entered the building we could see a crowd around a straw colored piece that was maybe 8-10 feet tall. Was it? Could it be? It was! The amazing toothpick creation! If you were impressed by the 38,250 Beaded Van Gogh Iris (and honestly, who wasn't?), get a load of this--


Rolling Through The Bay by Scott Weaver

More about the artist and his work:

click to embiggen

Scott was there answering questions about the piece and putting ping pong balls on tracks that wound through the sculpture. It was mesmerizing to see the white and yellow balls weaving their way past Victorians, the GG Bridge, cable cars, the Bay Bridge, and other SF landmarks.


Scott Weaver with his sculpture

What I got out of him was, "moving van", and "about 20 lbs" before he took a lunch break.

We saw a package about Scott on the local news a few months ago so we were familiar with the work but it was really something to see it close up.


Palace of Fine Arts Rotunda


Ferry Building

My brother and I made toothpick "sculptures" when we were kids, but this takes it to a completely different level.


Full Sail


Ghirardelli Square


Tube Riding
(click to see the surfers)

I wish I took more pictures. To see more of Scott's work, visit Rolling Through the Bay.

Next: More Fine Arts

California State Fair
August 21 - September 7, 2009
Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento , CA 95815

Weird, Wild & Wacky - CA State Fair 2009

Cotton candy, candy apples, and livestock--it must be time for the California State Fair.

This year's Creative Arts and Fine Arts galleries do not disappoint. They could easily be the best we've seen in the last 3 years. I am much happier with how the pieces are displayed--the collections make sense and are nicely staged.

Pineapple Song has a nice spot in a glass case--if only it didn't have schmutz on it. If someone from the fair is reading this, could you pick off the foam and lint that's on the doily? Click on the photo and you'll see where the bits are. Thanks!


Pineapple Song at the CA State Fair,
Honorable Mention - Division: Crocheted, Class: Coverings
Project details on Ravelry

Here's the piece that placed first in the same class. Yeow.


Bed of Roses by Molly Peterson
First Place - Division: Crocheted, Class: Coverings

Sipalu is displayed near the railing and it's propped up. Good deal. I wish the strap was visible, but at least the bag doesn't have any debris on it... now. It had a piece of foam on it, but I leaned over the railing and picked it off. Shhhh.


Sipalu at the CA State Fair
Second Place - Division: Knitted, Class: Any Other Knitted Item
Project details on Ravelry

First place went to Julie Powers' Knitted Silk Table Cloth. It's a lovely piece but is difficult to photograph. This is probably the only piece that could have benefited from the mauve platforms from last year.


Knitted Silk Table Cloth by Julie Powers
First Place, Best of Show, Best of Division -
Division: Knitted, Class: Any Other Knitted Item

Sipalu is right next to this stunning saddle.


Western Saddle by James Milbrath
First Place, Best of Division, Special Award -
Division: Any Other Handicraft, Class: Leathercraft

Amazing work, simply amazing.


Western Saddle by James Milbrath

Here are some of the other pieces in the Creative Arts gallery.


Division: Decorative Painting


Tree of Light by Linda King
First Place, Best of Division, Best of Show, Special Award -
Division: Decorative Painting, Class: Small Decorative Art Piece


Great American Aran Afghan by Sara Jivanjee
First Place - Division: Knitted, Class: Knitted Afghans


Ribbon Draped Coffee Table by Paul Ackerman
First Place - Division: Wood Art, Class: Wood Working - Large Projects


Phoenix Rising by Tatyana Bychkov
First Place - Division: Straw Art, Class: Marquetry


Phoenix Rising by Tatyana Bychkov


38,250 Beaded Van Gogh Iris
First Place, Best of Show, Best of Division -
Division: Bead Art, Class: Any Other Bead Art


38,250 Beaded Van Gogh Iris


The World of Honu by Janis Arredondo
First Place, Best of Division, Best of Show, Special Award -
Division: Medium Quilts, Class: Mixed Technique Quilts


The World of Honu by Janis Arredondo

Next: Fine Arts

California State Fair
August 21 - September 7, 2009
Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento , CA 95815

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

I'm wearing


Mosaic socks
Project details on Ravelry

A new project??

Well, it's not like I haven't been working on projects. But lately the projects on my needles haven't been ones I can talk about and I know how annoying that can be to a blog reader. "Hey, I'm working on this great pattern and I wish I could tell you about it, but I can't. Bye!" Like I said, annoying.

Here's the new project:
Compass Rose,
Sanquhar gloves designed by Beth Brown-Reinsel


Sanquhar glove
Project details on Ravelry

These gloves are sized by varying the gauge--each size starts with 90 sts at the cuff. My hand is between a women's small & medium, and I started the project on 0's because I think I'm a tight knitter. Uh no, not that tight of a knitter, they were way too big. Now I'm knitting on #000's. As you can see I haven't gotten very far--not for lack of trying--but even now I think the cuff could be a wee bit smaller. But I'm not (not not) going down to #0000's. I'll know more when I get past the cuff.

So far I'm loving the pattern and the yarn, and knitting at such a fine gauge results in a wonderful fabric. These are going to be marvelous -- and they're going to keep me busy for a quite a while.

You may remember that I blogged about Compass Rose months ago. The yarn and pattern were given to me by Spinnity--isn't she so very thoughtful? She knows what I like.

Apparently back in January I had a list of things to finish before I was going to cast-on the gloves. I completely forgot about the list until brought up that blog post today. Let's see how I did:

• A pattern and knitting. The pattern is 80% along and the knitting is close to finished. Deadline: Stitches West
  
  >> I think this was Outside In. I was working on the second sock at SW and the photo shoot was at the hotel pool. Done.
  
  
• A new sock pattern and knitting for... not sure where this will be submitted, it depends on when it's finished. This design is going through its final iterations.
  
  >> Finn-ish Socks! At SW, Susanna Hansson suggested that I get the pattern ready to sell at Sock Summit. Done and done.
  
  
• 50/50 Merino Tencel : 2 singles ready for plying.
  
  >> Tactile Fiber Arts Merino Tencel. Done (and beautiful).
  
  
• Stitches West homework. Just a bit of ribbing.
  
  >> The homework and the Skrå-trøje are finished.
  
  
• Sipalu Bag: The reverse st st bit at the top of the bag is flaring out, even after blocking. It needs to be ripped out and re-knit on smaller needles. I'd like to start (maybe even finish) knitting the strap before starting a new project.
  
  >> Sipalu is finished and will be on display at the California State Fair tomorrow through September 7.
  
  
• Aguona Laptop Bag: Needs a zipper, maybe lining, and sewing up in general.
  
  >> Not finished. Not touched since the steek was cut.

Not bad, not bad at all. Of course there were other projects in the last 7+ months that I did work on, but finishing 5 out of 6 on this list feels pretty good.

HKF

It's Hand Knit Friday! What hand knits do you have on today?

I'm wearing--


Picovoli
Project details on Ravelry

Available now: Finn-ish Sock pattern

From January 15 to January 31, 2010, 100% of the profits from the sale of this pattern PLUS matching funds will go to Haiti Earthquake Relief through Doctors Without Borders.

ETA: Help for Haiti contributions to Doctors Without Borders totaled $770.00. Thank you everyone!

It debuted at Sock Summit 2009 and now Finn-ish is available for purchase online.


Finn-ish sock pattern, $8.00

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	buy it now

The unique motif of Finn-ish is based on a folk knitting technique from Rovaniemi, Finland.

This is truly a different approach to colorwork with elements of weaving, stranded knitting, and intarsia. You may have read about the technique on Yarn Harlot's blog, or perhaps you've experienced it first hand in Susanna Hansson's Lapland Hand Garments class.




The Finn-ish pattern has detailed instructions on how to prepare 11 small butterflies of contrasting color and how to work the motif. Most importantly, there are instructions on how to manage the butterflies so you have a tangle free knitting experience.

Size
Women’s Medium [Large]
Finished measurements
Foot circumference: 6.5 [7.5]” (16.5 [19] cm) relaxed
Foot length: Approx 9 [10]” (23 [25.5] cm) relaxed

Materials
Cascade Yarns, Heritage (75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon; 100 gm / 437 yd)
MC: 1 [2*] hank(s) #5602 Steel
* A pair of large socks from 1 hank MC is possible by shortening the cuff and working fewer motif repeats, depending on foot length.
CC1: 65 yd (60 m) #5608 Pine
CC2: 65 yd (60 m) #5604 Denim
CC3: 50 yd (46 m) #5618 Snow
1 set of US 0 (2.0 mm) dpns, or size needed to achieve gauge
1 straight needle 10” (25 cm) or longer, preferably US size 5 (3.75 mm) or thinner
Point protector or cork
2 stitch markers
Tapestry needle