Enjoying a quiet task . . . .

I forget sometimes how much I enjoy warping the simple, basic pieces like this scarf. I wound this warp on Sunday, one of my multi-tasking days. The warp was wound between loads of laundry, baking granola and all the various clean-up tasks that get relegated to weekends.

Once a path has been determined on the warping board to get the appropriate length, it just becomes a rhythmic flow around and around the pegs. I love the way the yarns are separated by the cross at the top. This keeps them in a neat order so they go onto the loom without becoming a tangled mess. And doesn't it look lovely, all lined up row by row!

I have always tied each one inch group of yarns together at the top and bottom of the warp bundle as I go along. Again, I like the orderly feel of this. It makes me feel confident that I will get the yarns transferred to the loom correctly. After all these years of weaving this is still rewarding.

Here is the cross of my scarf warp all completed and tied with the lease sticks in place, ready for stringing on the loom. This scarf is a simple plain weave so will be easy to thread.

The process is relaxing and rewarding at the same time. A cone of yarn being translated into a wearable piece of craft step by step. I do love the building, row by row, in many of the parts of weaving. It is very mesmerizing, even meditative.

The warp chain is soft and inviting in your hands. This scarf will go on the loom at 12 ends per inch and be woven with the same numbers of picks in the weft so it will be light and flowing, much like the process of this afternoon's warping task. I will post a picture when it is finished.

Enjoy your quiet tasks . . . . . .

Tempted by many techniques . . . . . . .

I know this doesn't really look like weaving or knitting or crochet - not your typical fiber techniques. But I am lured in, tempted by anything remotely fiber. Beading is one of my favorite fiber mediums. I know and love the work of many beaders although I can only aspire to the heights of their work.

My pieces are simple and basic by comparison but I do so enjoy doing this work! It progresses in much the same way as weaving on a loom, one row at a time. Watching it build up is very rewarding. Of course, the colors and the sparkle cannot hurt either!

Paper, as I have admitted before, is one of my weaknesses. But I also love the added dimension of using recycled materials. These little box sets are made from used safety envelopes. The patterns are sweet when folded into these little things!

I make a tray style box from cardboard that I save from gift boxes or whatever source presents itself. I like the look of the scrappy yarn ties at the ends of the tray.

These are each embellished with a salvaged button from my collection and the sewing thread ties make a fun little topper. I am having a great time playing around with these. They become habit forming - saving the envelopes, collecting assorted patterns, cutting squares, folding, glueing . . . . well, you get the idea.

These items are all available in my Etsy shop. And I am still weaving, in fact this week I am preparing some very light weight cotton scarves for spring wardrobes! Take heart, it will be spring again . . . . . .ahhhhhh.