This was the project from Dante’s inferno. It was the first time I warped the loom all by myself. First I didn’t have a metal bar to lash on to so I lashed on directly to the back beam. Then I got the warp on the loom backwards so the brake wouldn’t hold and I couldn’t get any tension. To fix that I had to get the lease sticks back in and wind the whole warp onto the forward beam then wind it back onto the back beam; all the while keeping some tension going. I finally got it on the loom properly but all this winding here, there and everywhere messed up the tension and I was forever fiddling with it and struggling mightily. There was enough warp for six placemats but the tension became so bogged down after four that I quit. I didn’t save the warp – I threw it all away!! I was SO discouraged! But I was pleased with the end result.
In May I was involved in a three car pile up on I-4. Luckily I wasn’t the sandwich but the top slice. I was following 5:00 o'clock traffic on westbound I-4 around the 408 exit. We were starting to pick up speed and were going around 40 when KABOOM!! Then I felt another tap. I think the girl behind me hit me and then her friend hit her. I, safe driver that I am, did NOT hit the person in front of me because I was a safe distance behind them. We were in the middle lane and a policeman came up to me fairly fast and told me to move to the shoulder. I told him I'd love to but I was scared. He said he'd block the traffic for me so I went onto the GRASS and the girls followed me. Neither one of these children came up to me and asked me if I was OK. There was NO squealing of brakes because the children didn't BRAKE!!! The policeman estimated $1,000 damage and it was a royal pain but I finally got the car fixed better than new. All of the little scratches and dents that I put on her are all gone.
In July I had another little episode of losing my mind and I purchased a knitting machine! Pictures to follow! I don’t even have possession of it yet. One of the women in my weaving class founded the machine knitting guild here in Orlando and she is going to teach me how to use my new toy.
I have also finished a twill gamp. A gamp is a woven sampler. In this case, I explored many twills. Joy came down and helped me warp the gamp onto the loom. We had a wonderful time. We had to wind the warp too since the week prior to this was month end close and I can’t do anything during that. I was able to get the warp threaded, sleyed and tied onto the front beam all by myself. The weaving of the gamp was lots of fun and I love the way it looks.
Next month I am going to Huntsville, AL to take a two day color spinning workshop with Lynne Vogel. This is put on by the Huntsville Fiber Guild members and looks like a lot of fun. I am trying to finish spinning what I’ve got on my bobbins so they will be free for the class. Since I can only spin laceweight this is slow going. More info on the class next month!
