This morning Shadow and Buddy helped me outline several upcoming posts, work on project schedules, and get used to our new normal following loss. Is there something you'd like to see me write about or review a specific book? Please let me know. … [Read more...] about penciling it in
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summer swatching plans, part four (weaving)
As a new weaver, my summer swatching plans are simple. They likely also sound familiar, as with spinning, I want to better understand how I create different fabrics. Current questions include but are not limited to: What happens if I weave at a different sett (gauge)? What if I beat differently? Can I weave leno with this combinations? How does this colour combination work as warp and weft and what happens if I switch? Yes, I've read a bit about weaving over the years but theory is not practice. This is something I need to do and create with my own hands to properly understand. Anzula Remember the combination from last week? I have a plan for pairing this braid of Australian Superfine Merino Top (in colourway Earth) with Squishy in Aqua. After I get the sample spun, I'll work on the woven swatch. I'm most curious to see if the spinning and weaving I see in my … [Read more...] about summer swatching plans, part four (weaving)
summer swatching plans, part three (spinning)
Sometimes one post becomes four. While I didn't initially plan to make this a four part series (part one, part two), it turned into one! In addition to the yarns I'm swatching primarily for knitting and crochet, I am also working on my spinning and weaving this summer too. Today I'll discuss the spinning plans, next week weaving. Anzula I have a plan for pairing this braid of Australian Superfine Merino Top (in colourway Earth) with Squishy in Aqua. First I need to spin a sample and then work up a swatch. Before that can happen, I need to decide how I want to prepare the fiber and spin it. I have already pulled out Jillian's Yarnitecture book to help me work out my spinning strategy for this project! Can you guess what I'm designing? I'll provide a big hint, I'll be writing about this combination next week too. more sampling I want to better understand how different … [Read more...] about summer swatching plans, part three (spinning)
summer swatching plans, part two
As I mentioned last week, the Business and Creative Services membership section held a networking event during the TNNA Trade Show last month. Several generous sponsors pitched in to help make the get together a little bit extra special. I’m excited to try some yarns I’ve had my eye on for a while that are outside what I commonly work with. Additionally, several will provide an additional creative challenge as they are outside colour families I generally gravitate toward. In addition to these yarns there was a minute weaver loom from Purl & Loop that I plan to use to help with some swatching (aka sampling) that I hope to talk about in detail in a few weeks. I'll go clockwise around the mosaic image, starting in the upper left. LGF Suris Yarns This is a beautiful sample of Suri Sock, a 3-ply fingering weight blend of Suri Alpaca, Wool, and Nylon. I haven't weighed it to … [Read more...] about summer swatching plans, part two
summer swatching plans, part one
I've begun to sort through some of the samples and yarns with which I returned home from Columbus. Now for my favourite part, planning my summer swatching. How do I plan? It should come as no surprise that on the flight home I pulled out my notebook and began a list. What did I include? There's space for details such as the company, yarn line, the colourway, and quick thoughts on if I plan to knit, crochet, or weave. As I work through the list I record when I swatched and I have some room for other short notes of interest. Each swatch will get its own page in the notebook as I begin to work on it. Anzula I didn't intend to come home with any new design yarn. However, I helped a bit in the booth and this collection of samples to swatch (and a few full-size skeins) began as I was hanging samples of Meridian. I couldn't get the idea out of my head so made a proposal … [Read more...] about summer swatching plans, part one
rest for creative inspiration
Rest improves creativity. Personally, I am most inspired when surrounded by nature. I was privileged to spend last weekend in Banff National Park. It was beautiful and I'm slowly processing what we experienced and the photos we took. Photo shows Lake Louise, within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. If you would like to help celebrate Canada 150, the free 2017 Discovery Pass provides unlimited opportunities to enjoy national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national historic sites across Canada! Additional Resources Why a Rested Brain Is More Creative Neuroscience: Relaxing Makes You More Creative my review of The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams … [Read more...] about rest for creative inspiration