I have gone over to the Dark Side - I am in the middle of an 'Introduction to Weaving' Course with Noni Mackenzie at Hannah's (the old Seal Hayne Agricultural College) in Newton Abbot. It's very reasonable price-wise and I'm enjoying it very much. - I am using ancient cotton for the warp - and handspun for the weft. I plan to make myself a rucksack. Hopefully the cotton will make it durable, and the handspun will make it beautiful. The two main colours of veridian and mossy green remind me of verdigris - so I'm adding in some copper colours along with yellows and blues too. My knitterly and weaverly friend Jae was keen to enable, so she's loaned me her Rigid Heddle Loom (Kromski Harp) to use at home to make the gussets and straps for the bag. The main fabric for the rucksack will be made on Noni's 4-shaft floor loom in twill. I've even made a kumohimo braid in the same yarns as the rucksack, to tie the top of the bag. Great fun. I have finished all the weaving on the Rigid Heddle (see picture) and made the braid. The Floor Loom is warped up (Scotty) and I've started the sampling (that's another word for playing).
STOP PRESS: Due to unforseen circumstances, a couple of places have become available on the May Knitters/spinners' Retreat at Eggesford Barton. Very reasonable and good fun guaranteed - contact me for details.
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