Fantasyland

The work on the Diamond Fantasy Shawl progresses:

And the close-up:

I realize that I put nothing in the picture for scale, sorry about that. It took a lot of photographing to get a good picture. The shape is quite distorted because I have it on a 24" circular needle and therefore it looks longer and skinner than it really is, because I can't stretch out the top very well to show the proper proportions.

I've just finished the third repeat of the main pattern chart - the scarf size calls for 5 repeats, and its looking like I'm doing fine with the amount of handspun I have.

The loom continues to sit in the living room and amaze me. I don't have a shuttle yet and haven't actually gotten to play with the weaving process yet, but I'm trying to learn the ideas behind it. I'm lucky in that the loom is already warped, so I've got something to play with right away and don't have to start right in on what I understand is the trickiest part of the whole weaving process.

I've been reading about weaving and learning a whole new vocubulary. Dents. Heddles. Beater. Shed. Reed. The book I have is Deborah Chandler's Learning to Weave. I think its probably got everything I need to know in it. For the weaving folks out there - any suggestions for favorite sources of inspiration or information?

Comments

[Laurie]

You are always ahead of the curve on fiber arts. I forgot about the shuttle scarcity. Would have guessed no knitting content today, secondary to other obsessions. (The spinning obsession is producing a beautiful piece of knitted work, btw.)

[Stephanie]

The Chandler book is a good one. When I was learning to weave, lo those many years ago, that was the one that my instructor recommended. I never looked at it because I have trouble learning how to do things by reading about them, but I think you've chosen wisely. Or did it just fall out of a tree while you were taking the garbage out?

[margene]

You really captured the texture of the homespun in the knitted fabric. It's a beautiful shawl and the homespun makes it more so.

[Kim]

Oohh.....I thought that pattern would be perfect for that icelandic and I was right......it is stunning!!!

[Cheryl]

I have to admit I had my doubts about that yarn and the Diamond fantasy pattern when you showed us the last picture of the little tip. Looks like I was wrong though; it's actually beautiful! I can't wait to see it off the needles.

[Valerie]

When the planets line up for you again, you might want to pick up Mastering Weave Structures
by Sharon Alderman. Not a beginnner's book....but it will make you drool.

[Ellen]

There's nothing like taking a class. There must be somewhere around you that offers weaving classes. After you take a couple, you should go to Convergence, the GIANT WEAVING CONFERENCE held every other year, and June 2006 will be in Grand Rapids, MI. Check out details at http://www.weavespindye.org/
They have classes there for all levels, but you should probably have done a little weaving before you go. (For weaving classes you can either bring your own loom, or rent one there and warp it up the night before the workshop starts.) It's like Disneyland for fiber folk. I love it.

[claudia]

You know, there is a blog ring for weavers. Check out Charleen and Woven Thoughts on my sidebar.

[Char]

You might want to check with your library about the Chandler videos - Introduction to Weaving and Beginning Four Harness Weaving. I was able to get both of them through interlibrary loan. I second Valerie's recommendation of Alderman's book.

[Megann]

That shawl is beautiful. I've been kicking around the idea of starting another lace shawl, and that pattern is calling to me in my sleep. You've inspired me!

[Carole]

The shawl is lovely - I really like that pattern. The new vocab sounds like something out of Harry Potter.

[adelaide]

Cassie, what's that thing that's serving as a background for the shawl in the photos? What could that be?

[Jody]

Must not buy more shawl patterns. You people make that very difficult, you know. This lace thing is definitely addictive. Thankfully it isn't nearly as expensive as sweaters.

[erin]

The shawl is beautiful. Maybe it's for the beautiful homespun you're using.

hmmm...Quilting,knitting, spinning, weaving, and spinning. When will you sleep?

[regina]

Your shawl is so beautiful! BTW, on another topic, I was reading the Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook last night, and there's this whole section about hand spinning, and how the author had this little epiphany when she started knitting garter stitch with singles right off her spindle, etc. etc. Of course, it made me think of Bee and her fingerless mitts. What an awesome kid.

[Cordelia]

The shawl looks great, of course! I kind of like it in that skewed shape; it looks like it has depth as well as height and width. Where do you think you'll find a shuttle for your loom?

[cari]

The shawl is beautiful, and even more special for being knit from handspun. That baby's gonna be an heirloom.

[Heidi]

That shawl is beautiful! I loved Mamacate's variegated version, but the solid color really shows off the pattern.
I'm not a weaver, but when I want to learn how to do something I look for books written for kids. I discovered this book on a visit to Powell's once upon a time, and I thought it was a great intro how-to for all types of weaving.
http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-0871924935-0

[Stacie]

Very nice. I have seen a few people knitting this pattern and it's making me want to knit it too! I have sooooo many things I want to knit and so few hands to knit them with!

[Marcia]

The shawl is just wonderful, says she who has yet to start one. And, she who has yet to warp her darn loom is not about to offer advice...although Interweave does make a Weaver's Companion and there is Handwoven magazine and....!

[john]

Gorgeous darling.

[mamacate]

Oh yum, it looks lovely. Quite fabulous!

So, do I need to go to Webs to get you a shuttle? I'm helpful that way. ;)

[Lee Ann]

Beautiful...boy, I can't wait to spin more than a bunny's worth...

[Cara]

Lovin' the shawl. So much so I started my own!

[Nathania]

My god, that's beautiful, Cassie!