On the loom

This is another polyester rug, in navy, medium blue shades and a blue/white plaid. The loom is a Union 36, bought at a farm auction by my oldest daughter and I. We didn't even know if all the pieces were there, there was just a pile of parts laying on the ground, complete with a temple and many rag shuttles, not that we knew what they were at the time. Luckily all the parts were there, and we didn't forget anything with all the trips to and from the van to load it all up.

We both have used it, and she received a best of show and blue ribbon in the youth division for her first rug at the fair a few years ago. She had looked in the yarn stash, picked out two skeins of Red Heart acrylic; black and Monet ( lilac, pink,blue, yellow and green variagated) and wove that up.

I have been weaving about four years now, (or is it five?) and my favorite rugs are hit and miss. The most enjoyable part of it is the color mixing, putting unusual color combinations together and having it turn out completely different than it looks on the loom.

I was recently gifted with some large pieces of white knit fabric, and have plans to tie dye them for weaving. That will be fun to have up on the clothes line. Between the drying fleeces laying on the grass, and dyed roving hanging from the line.. after our years in 4-H, you never knew what you might find in our yard. We have done stepping stones, tie dye and the kids would even bring clothes from home to do.

My favorite materials are sweatshirts and sweatpants, t-shirts, then woven fabrics.