Another Vintage Baby Blanket

Funny, but another dear university friend popped out of the proverbial woodwork with a photo of my very early work. Today's surprise email was incredible for me! Here is a 29-year-old baby blanket for a special Alana:

The weave structure for this cotton blanket is Leno, or something I haven't used in ages and since forgotten. It sure warms my heart to see this photo and think back to whatever I was doing (and whoever I was) almost three decades ago.

Thanks, AR, for this great photo. :-)

Jen's Blanket

My friend, Jen, who I know from way back in our university days, now lives in Australia. I can't remember when I gave her this blanket, but I know my sister has one similar to it with the coloured warp. I also know that the warp has to be in the Swedish wool I was able to get long ago, which is great stuff and currently keeping my lap warm with another blanket as I type this.

Here is Jen's blanket:

Jen added with the photo: "The blanket is in our guest room. In a country with no central heating where the ambient room temperature can be 30 degrees or 13 degrees it is very useful!"

It means a lot to me to know that not only does my work last so long, but it's enjoyed throughout its long life. This is another example of that, and I appreciate the photo and comments.

Anyone else with vintage weaving from my pre-Cariboo Handwoven days is welcome to send me a photo with a comment or two that I will gladly share.  More current weaving in its new setting is just as welcome, too.

Turned Twill Towels

Turned twill is the correct term for what I often call "twill blocks." The blocks can be in diagonal lines, or in broken twill which gives each block a mottled look. Both types of treadling look great and combining them is another interesting effect. All block edges meet each other with a maximum float of three threads, and when threaded and woven correctly, make perfectly tight lines. The junction of four blocks is in the middle of this sample:

I warped 20 m of cotton last week and am enjoying the opportunity to try different effects for a range of towels.

These samples from the loom show the grouping of three warp ends in the reed, and the "rawness" of the cloth before washing. These towels last for so long from what more and more people are telling me, and I know that these turned twill towels will work well and look great when they find homes.

8th Batch of Shetland Wool Blankets

My eighth set of Shetland wool blankets was woven in twill blocks, correctly called turned twill. Some of the blankets have blocks with straight diagonal lines, others have a mottled look for the blocks, and the rest have an interesting combination of the two effects. Here are the first three blankets in this batch of seven distinct blankets:

SH038 | 100% wool | $230

SH039 | 100% wool | $230

SH040 | 100% wool | $230

This Blanket Tells a Story

The sixth blanket in the "Autumn Storm" series tells a story in more detail than simply the impending storm that I described in previous blogs. Instead of the general approach that reflects the colourful leaves, dark clouds and green conifers, I decided to tell more of a story in this blanket.

The blanket begins with an array of oranges and gold, then moves into light grey and dark grey to illustrate the storm clouds moving in. After the storm, the main colours at the other end of the blanket are those left of the conifers which are shown in two rich shades of dark green. A few pops of the bright leaves are still illustrated with narrow stripes of oranges.

SH036 | 100% wool | Sold

This blanket was a special project to create in my mind and then to weave. I know I'll continue to use nature as my muse for future blankets and other handwoven items.

"Autumn Storm" Blankets - Four Going to Ottawa

Four of the new wool blankets from the Autumn Storm series are finished and being shipped to Ottawa tomorrow for the November 16 open house. I introduced the Autumn Storm series in my last blog and am really pleased with how these blankets turned out. Here are the first four:

SH031 | 100% Shetland wool | Sold

SH032 | Approx. 50% Shetland wool and 50% handspun wool | Sold

SH033 | 100% Shetland wool

SH037 | 100% Shetland wool | Extra long (214 cm) | Sold

The other three Autumn Storm blankets are in the fringing stage and will be finished by early next week.