Bath Towels

By now I've sold hundreds of cotton hand towels for the kitchen or bathroom. Coincidentally, two friends recently requested similar towels but in a bath towel size. I noted their colour preferences and finished this project last week.

One friend bought some hand towels in blues and greens that she really liked, and here are samples of the bath towels inspired from them.

The other friend just remodeled her bathroom and had a key colour for bath towels of a pale teal. I had the perfect match in cotton and enjoyed combining it with other colours.

All of these towels should be as absorbent as my smaller hand towels. I hear over and over (and don't mind at all) that my towels are very absorbent and work really well in the kitchen or bathroom. The cotton I use is great, plus I weave in twill structures with thread "floats" that pick up moisture. But I'm very interested to hear how these towels work - are they absorbent, is the size about right, how suitable are the colours based on the initial intentions?

Neither of these projects are commissions and no one has any obligations or expectations. However, early responses from loom photos were very positive, and I'm curious to know if that continues when each requestor sees the real thing.

The bath towels are about 85 cm wide by 130-140 cm long. Let me know if you think bath towels are a good product to make, and if you have any ideas of your own.

Advancing Twill Blankets on the LIne

Today I washed three more Shetland wool blankets woven in advancing twill, and here they are drying on the line.

I'll be posting six of the finished blankets soon, with individual photos and measurements.

Energy Series

This blanket woven in advancing twill using five colours inspired me to begin a new Energy series. The eye-popping long zigzags, woven with such distinct and beautiful colours, was exciting and inspiring to weave. Energy!

SH083 | 100% wool | 180 cm x 127 cm (71" x 50") | $250

SH083 Detail

I look forward to adding more blankets to the Energy series, and perhaps, over time, scarves and big towels.

Blanket Collectors

One of the most gratifying parts of being a weaver and running my own business is to see how some blanket lovers begin their own collection of Cariboo Handwoven wool blankets.

One collector has two blankets of the same dark brown handspun weft woven on slightly different warps but in the same twill block pattern.

This pair looks stunning together in the family room on leather furniture with big windows looking out to the Gatineau hills. They're perfect for wrapping up to read or chat. I blogged about these blankets a few weeks ago.

Another blanket collector has three wool blankets - the first two she bought in 2012. Below, one blanket includes handspun mohair, and the second one is pure wool and goes well with it, which she was careful to check during the selection. Both blankets were also woven in turned twill, or what I call twill blocks.

Her third blanket, below, she bought earlier this month after taking it home to check with the first two.  Here's the detailed pattern in two shades of wool and brushed mohair.

I suppose that one measure of a blanket's usefulness is the expansion of it into a collection. That keeps me busy and makes me happy!

13th Set of Shetland Wool Blankets

Thirteen is not an unlucky number at all for this set of new Shetland wool blankets. Some of the new treadlings I tested turned out really well. The final blanket is about 50% handspun Romney wool from the local Wenger Sheep Farm.

As always, feel free to contact me if you're interested in any more information or to buy a blanket.

SH073 | 100% wool | 171 cm x 130 cm (67" x 51") | $250

SH074 | 100% wool | 180 cm x 130 cm (71" x 51") | $250

SH075 | 100% wool | 175 cm x 126 cm (69" x 49.5") | $250

SH076 | 100% wool | 196 cm x 128 cm (77" x 50.5") | $250

SH077 | 100% wool | 183 cm x 130 cm (72" x 51") | $250

SH078 | 100% wool | 193 cm x 127 cm (76" x 50") | $250

W011 | 100% wool (approx. 50% grey Romney handspun) |
193 cm x 130 cm (76" x 51") | $300

Handspun Wool Blanket Set

A high school friend who lives in Quebec has matching Cariboo Handwoven blankets, both given to her as gifts from family members. The two blankets have weft of dark brown handspun Shetland wool, and the warps are predominantly brown and grey for each blanket.

The blankets have the common weft but slightly different warps. Together they make a very compatible and gorgeous set!

Artwalk 2014

Artwalk began yesterday in Williams Lake, and I have three blankets in the Raymond James office.  It's great to be part of another Artwalk, and my location this year is fantastic - on Third Ave. between the Cariboo Regional District office and the Bean Counter.

The Shetland wool blankets on the left and centre are on display and for sale, and the shorter blanket on the right is my silent auction item.  Feel free to bid on it!

Thanks to the Raymond James staff for hosting me and to Arty the Artwalker for organizing another Artwalk.