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It’s just so easy to put another warp on and keep rolling.

This week I discovered that if I don’t use the reed on my loom that I can get closer to a warp-faced band, by letting the warp threads sit as close together as they want. I’m still working on getting a consistent, firm edge, but hopefully will continue with practice.

For a change of pace with the last half of this warp I decided to incorporate locks and make a fleecy trim, and think it turned out pretty cool.

Then I decided to change things up a bit and use a smoother warp to see how that changed the result. I have a couple cones of really nice silk yarn in fun colors (bright orange and yellow-green) that I never knew what to do with, but they seemed just right for this- smooth and reflective, and not stretchy.

And I’m finding that it’s a lot easier to get a good warp faced band with the silk warp! I thought I’d taken some photos of the band on the loom, but can’t find any, but here is the first bit, along with an embroidered nametag that I’ve been working on this week. I might use the band as a lanyard for it or something. Not sure yet exactly how that would work.

I’ve been attending the Spindrifters meetings for the last few months, and have really enjoyed getting back involved with it. I’ve met a lot of nice folks, and am finally starting to remember some names. I’ve been meaning to make myself a nametag to wear at meetings and other events (like the spin-in) and finally got around to it this week- just in time for the St. Distaff’s Day event next Saturday-

There will be vendors, raffles, used equipment for sale, and lots of spinners practicing their craft. Lots of fun! If you’re in the area, do try and stop by.

The loom was nekkid, so I thought I’d just try something-

Was super quick to warp- just 16 ends, and now I’m playing around with weaving bands out of misc handspun odds and ends-

The first one I wove like regular plainweave fabric, and while it’s a little wonky on the edges, I really like the overall look and feel.

With this next one, I’m forcing the warp threads closer, to hopefully get a more warp-faced result. It’s really dense, and a challenge to try and keep the edges even, but hopefully that will come with time and practice.

The grey yarn is a bit thicker than the black, so the effect is quite different. And I’m having a lot of fun playing around with it. The Man made me a cool new tool to use for my bandweaving experiment- a combo shuttle/beater thingee.

It hadn’t occurred to me before, but now that I see a picture of it with a bit of weft wrapped at it’s waist, if looks a bit like a sword. Nice 🙂

Thor (who we’re now calling Cookie Monster) update- still here and starting to feel like part of the family, though she is still residing outside (overnighting in the hoophouse). I strongly suspect that the Cookie Monster has buns in the oven. Guess we’ll know for sure before long…..

Alrighty. That’s all I’ve got for now. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Fleece on Earth, Good Wool to Men

This week’s accomplishments- woolly twill and holiday cookies.

NomNomNom.

Was considering getting a tree, but I think maybe I’ve gotten enough fir bough exposure from our recent windstorms.

So I might just dress up Mighty Red

She’s pretty darn festive just on her own, but maybe she’d be up for a snowflake garland, or some sprigs of holly(?)

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to get busy with cookies!

I’m trying to be super-organized this year, to ensure I stay on track and leave time for all the various stages of the multi-step varieties.

In preparation, I developed a spreadsheet of the ingredients required for each cookie type.

This will hopefully remove any need for emergency grocery trips. A separate tab holds the schedule for how I’m going to get everything done this week (leaving time for spinning guild meeting on Saturday 🙂 )

So far I’m on pace.

Nekkid gingerbreads are standing by for frosting later this week (they always benefit from a bit of aging)

and springerle are resting/drying, awaiting baking Tuesday morning.

On the docket for tomorrow are Pfeffernusse (am- dough already chilling) and Cinnamon Mandelbrot (pm).

You might be asking yourself, who is Thor?, and what to they have to do with this?

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This is Thor (name from The Man- I’m thinking that it’s a girl kitty, but we don’t know, so are going with Thor for now )

and the only connection to this is that he showed up here last monday evening, and has been hanging out ever since.

We’ve had Thor checked for a microchip (nope), posted “found cat” notices on craiglist, nextdoor, and with our local humane society, checked with neighbors. Noone seems to know where this very friendly kitty came from.

So he’s sleeping in the hoophouse for now.

If you happen to know anything about Thor or if he has a family missing him, please let me know!