Supplementary Weft Bag With Bhutanese Motif

.bag with supplementary weft pattern, cross knit looping, and 4 strand braid.

This is one of two projects that came off the same warp. The colors are a bit on the light side for me, but the weaving process was pleasurable, and I learned how to do supplementary weft on a wider project.

So, here were my goals for this project:

1. Use Supplementary Weft patterning.

2. Weave my picks (rows) evenly to get even dimensions, and to weave neat selvedges (edges).

3. To make a bag use no electric devices.

4. Use hardware and attach a 4 Strand Braid.

5. Apply a 3 stitch wide Cross Knit Looping to the edges.

6. Use the bag to note the wear and tear and what I might do differently in the future.

The idea for some of the goals for this bag came from my friends. One friend in particular does ALOT of walking for exercise, and she wants a bag to keep her phone, license, and a key in. I made the yurt band motif bag as a sample, but it is not big enough for my iphone, or rather the case that my iphone is in. So I kept that in mind for this project.

.the practice sampler.

I used size 3 cotton that I had purchased from my local yarn store. It is different in texture than the size 3 crochet cotton yarn I normally use. The crochet cotton yarn has more twist, and well, I really like that. The cotton from the yarn store has less twist but a nice sheen. I am going to guess here as to refer to brand and I have seen it as Astra.

.weaving in progress.

I followed the online tutortial and used 2 strands of embroidery floss for the supplementary weft. I had two charts I wanted to use, one was a bhutanese motif, and the other was and adaptation from Laverne's blog. You can see my adapted chart in the photo, and about 10 rows in I decided I didn't like it. I will save it for another warp.

.both sides done!

I had no problems doing the supplementary weft and the weaving went quickly. After weaving, I hand-sewed a cotton/linen blend fabric to the top edges. I wanted to NOT use my sewing machine this time around.

.close up of cross knit loopin.

I practiced and practiced the cross knit looping on a sample piece until I completely could identify the stitches using the same color yarn and could reproduce consistency in the loops. I applied this to the side edges of the bag. I then hand-sewed hardware to the top to attach a 4 strand braid.

.bhutanese motif.

Not using electrical equipment, well I sorta cheated, I did use my iron on the fabric (because I didn't have my cast iron one handy, just kidding). I wanted to see if I could put something together without relying on modern technology, and now I know I can.

I'm happy with this project and using the bag to test it's structure. I'm pretty hard on my bags, so we'll see, and if it holds up, I will be making a few more!

Link love: Supplementary Weft Tutorial, Cross Knit Looping Tutorial, 4 Strand Braid Tutorial, Textile Designs of Bhutan - David Barker (you need to be signed into issuu to view this document).

This project is at my Ravelry page: Supplementary Weft Bag.

 

 

 

 

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Mini Rugs With Al'ouerjan Warping & Weft Twining

a set of mini rugs using the al'ouerjan warping method.

This project was kind of amazing for me. For the first time I felt completely settled into the backstrap weaving process. But before I get onto that I have to back track a bit. And at the end of this post I will provide the links for tutorials that are available on the web.

I started with samples of warp substitution and al'ouerjan warping to practice using my trusty size 3 cotton. The samples went along fine, and I was able to practice supplementary weft using thread to secure the warp floats on the back.

warp substitution and al'ouerjan samples

al'ouerjan and warp substitution samples.

Then I spent ALOT of time charting for a wider piece using these techniques. Although this piece looks better off loom than on, I felt it was plagued with problems, that eventually made me not want to weave on it anymore. Looking at it now, it's not that bad, and the piece is large enough to practice other techniques for making bags, so I will save it for that.

the original piece that I wanted to weave turned into a sampler.

So, the problems. The first thing I ran into was the chart I made did not match then shed set-up on the loom. I really learned a lot in regards to charting for a project, and it's harder than it looks. But the end result is that now, using 4-stake warping board, I can actually identify which stake belongs to which shed. I know this may sound like Greek, but if you happen to go this route, you'll know what I mean.

This was also the first time I dealt with 1/2 revolution warps, and it was a lot to get my mind around (wondering what a revolution is? Check it out here).

I spent more time re-drawing my chart, modified this time without all the detail I had the first time around. I wish I took a picture of it before I threw it out!

back of woven piece using supplemental weft thread.

Finally, I got to sit down and weave, the first few inches went fine, but I was really having a hard time with one of the selvedge edges. I inserted a second coil rod, and it helped, but eventually, my warp tension was all over the place. The weaving just didn't feel right, and I spent more time making adjustments than weaving.

At this point I had woven about a foot and I wasn't liking it. So sampler it became, and I went on to practice weft twining.

I thought at first it was because it had been the widest piece I'd woven, and that was part of it, but ultimately, it all boiled down to sloppy warping on my part.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to make more mini rugs. Here were my goals for this project:

1. Use al'ouerjan warping technique in traditional colors.

2. Make 4 mini rugs using 4 different combinations in the al'ouerjan warp.

3. Pay close attention to my warp tension as I wind the warp on the warping board.

4. Weave evenly with neat selvedges.

5. Use 1 color basic weft twining to edge each rug.

6. Use a coil rod.

7. Use a supplementary weft thread to secure the long warp floats.

Whew! That seems like a lot, but here was the magic in it for me: everything fell into place. When I sat down to weave I did a few rows to establish width, and some weft twining to see how many warp bundles I wanted to twine (glad I did it, for the number of warps I wanted to bundle changed fron the last project I did using the same size yarn).

rug # 1 red diamonds

rug # 2 white diamonds

rug # 3

My edges became so very consistent that I was amazed, I hardly had to use my ruler to measure. I don't assume that this will happen often, but it sure was nice this time. And using the supplementary weft thread to secure the long warp floats on the back of the fabric really neatened everything up.

rug # 4, close up of warp

So I played around with different arrangements and the two photos above is my favorite. I noted this (what row to start the patterning on for it to look balanced) in my journal for the time I make these rugs again for gifts.

close up of back of rug using supplemental weft thread

Overall this was one of the most relaxing projects I've done so far. I will go back one day and re-try my original draft when the mood strikes me. I haven't tried the warp substitution, other than to practice the patterns in another technique called one-weft double weave.

If you are interested in learning these techniques, they are available at Laverne Waddington's Backstrap Weaving Blog: Warp Substitution, Al'ouerjan Warp, Supplementary Weft Thread, Using a Coil Rod, and Basic Weft Twining.

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Bolita Beans

And now for a recipe!

My Bolita Beans

This hands down is my favorite bean. It's also my kids favorite. Once you've had them, you'll see why, they are plump, meaty, smooth, easy on the stomach, and they are a local food for us. We get ours from Schweback Farm, and surprisingly they aren't sold out yet from this past harvest. The year before they sold out so fast we went without for the year!

And if you are interested here is a little info about Bolita Beans at Local Harvest/Slow Food USA, a recipe from Taos News (and chicos, which I'll be giving my recipe in the next blog post), and New Mexico Magazine's version.

What I've found is that I don't like my Bolita Beans complicated with a lot of additions. Many times, tomato products are added to beans because the acid in them tenderizes the bean, as the salt does. Any how I urge you to try them simple.

Extra notes:

You can make 1 pound instead of 2. I make 2 because we eat them a lot.

You can also adjust the ham hocks, onion, and garlic ratios suited to your taste. My mom adds 6 cloves of garlic for each pound. For Texas style beans, I've seen as much as 8 ham hocks added to 1 pound of beans.

For vegetarian/vegans I imagine you could use liquid smoke, I have done this in the past, but never took any notes on the amount added.

For us locals, Keller's has someone that smokes their hocks locally. I can't recommend them enough. They are excellent quality and flavor. Call first to see if they have them, they sell out quickly. When they do have them, I buy extra to freeze.

Two pounds yields me about 12 cups cooked beans. I freeze them, and how I do it takes a bit of extra time, but do what works for you. Remove hocks, bay leaves, and onion and discard. Strain liquid from beans but reserve! Measure out two cups of beans into containers, then pour reserved liquid just to cover beans. I find that reheating them with their liquid after being frozen is better.

Before eating we often add either chopped roasted New Mexico green chile or Red Chile Sauce.

And lastly, don't omit the bay leaf. It really makes a difference!

Bolita Beans

Cuisine: New Mexican

Serves: 12 (1 cup portions)

Ingredients

• 2 pounds bolita beans rinsed well and picked over
• 3 smoked ham hocks rinsed
• 1 large onion, peeled and halved
• 4 cloves garlic peeled
• 2 bay leaves
• water
• 1 tablespoons sea salt

Directions

Place beans thru bay leaves in crockpot. Add a minimum of 10 cups of water. Turn crockpot to high and let come to a good simmer (1 to 2 1/2 hours depending on model crockpot), then turn down to low and simmer for additional 2 to 3 hours. 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours of total cooking time for the beans to be tender and cooked thru, but you'll notice the skin may feel just a little tough. Add the salt and cook for another half hour, beans will be perfectly tender.

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Spring Is Around The Corner

Bedouin Sampler

We got some much needed rain! And signs of spring are everywhere. The trees are exploding and the weeds are popping.

Andean Pebble Weave Sampler

I will be taking a break from weaving until April. We have lots going on with the family, I need to get some more items in my Etsy shop (I will start doing shop updates here), and I am nursing a shoulder injury that just won't quit.

Simple/plain weave with combs

And as a reminder, I do post to Facebook and Ravelry, but I am still learning how to use them. But that takes times, and well, I'd rather be weaving!!!

Sampler Warp

So I'll leave you with a few pictures, and I will see you in April.

And some very lovely chickens!

 

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Yurt Band Motifs Revisted

I was really inspired to give this weaving pattern a try after I read the tutorial at Laverne Waddington's Backstrap Weaving blog (link here). It is probable that you will hear me mention her often in coming blog posts as I've finally had a chance to start reading her second book and work on tutorials from her blog. That means I will be sampling more! I think I am going to call this the "Year Of The Sampler".

As much as I love sampling, I had a chance to complete some small projects using this motif.

the finished bag/pouch with button

After a small conversation on Instagram sparked me to clarify some details. Even thou I called my project on Instagram a yurt band, it is not a real yurt band, it is a yurt band motif that is most definitely woven in non-traditional colors!

yurt band motif mug rug

Following the online tutorial, I wove this using both my Inkle Loom and my backstrap set-up. I do prefer to weave this on my backstrap. If you are familiar with the Inkle Loom, the fabric that is woven can get slightly elongated. Either way, the fabric is still wonderful!

Okay now for the details!

I used both size 3 and size 10 cotton for the warp (not on the same project, either one or the other). The weft was also of matching size. The tutorial for the yurt band is located here. To completely understand the process I did weave an X band, an O band, and an X-O band. Then I wove two bands, both of these were done on my Inkle Loom.

O, X, an O-X Bands

yurt band motif, inkle-woven, size 3 cotton

yurt band motif, inkle-woven, size 10

I hadn't used a backstrap set-up in 3 years. I ambitiously warped and wove a small piece of fabric. It was really more than I should have attempted but two wonderful things happened, I wanted to use my backstrap set-up more, and I decided to weave where my kids could touch it. This way really risky if you know my kids!!! Anyhow, they seemed to understand this was really important to mama and they respected the yarn! Doesn't mean I can leave it hanging there, but I can now weave without the fear of them pulling out the sticks while I'm working. My little guy asks to kiss the yarn, which I let him do, and I am over the moon with that!

yurt band motif sample fabric, backstrap set-up, size 3 cotton

After a long break from ravelry, I popped on in to the backstrap group just in time to join the Olympic Weave Along. Deciding to give a go to a wide warp again, I wove a piece for a cell phone pouch.

In regards to warping, I used a 4 stake method. Instructions for this can be found in Laverne's first book. But it wasn't until I took the picture below that I found that I had made an error. I warped too many revolutions! After fixing that I went to weaving.

using the back of my Navajo loom to warp, and I warped too much!

Laverne has a video tutorial that deals with the topic of sticky sheds. Folks, I can't recommend it enough that you watch and practice this! The link to this tutorial is here.

Also, for the first time in a finished project I used a coil rod. I will write about that another time, but I can say I really liked using it and it made a difference.

weaving in progress, with a coil rod at the top

The pouch is completely lined, I hand sewed the lining in and the woven strap with a baseball stitch.

fabric covered edges

done but needs a button!

Lastly I wove a small mug rug. I had enough warp for two, but I decided to do weft twining for the first time (will discuss eventually in another blog post), and I kept weaving until I was happy with the result.

Yurt Band Motif Mug Rug With Weft Twining

So, that is my adventure with the yurt band motif! I'm sure I'm not done with it yet.

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