I went to the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair back in October and bought quite a bit of fiber and fiber-related items. One of my purchases was a Spriggs Mini-Mod Looms: Triangle & Square Loom Set from Carol Leigh's Hillcreek Fiber Studio.
As with most things, daily life can often get in the way of fiber fun, so I only took the looms out of the box the week after Christmas. One of the things that makes these looms so great to weave on is that you can do "continuous strand weaving". This means that you are able to warp the loom and start weaving at the same time and you are only using one strand of yarn for the whole piece!
When I first started trying to understand the directions, they didn't really make sense to me. I am much better at understand how things are done when someone can actually SHOW me how to do it. Reading how and then doing just does not always work out for me. Happily, I didn't give up and just all of a sudden, it started making sense.
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| Spriggs Mini-Mod Looms |
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| I decided to figure out how to weave on the square loom first. Note the optional hook/needle to the side. I consider the hook a must for fast, efficient weaving. |
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| I started weaving with some of my wool handspun. (Roving from Wild Hare Fiber Studio The color is "Bermuda") |
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| Here are the first four squares that I made on the loom. Each five-inch square only takes 35-40 minutes. |
The next step is to wash the squares to finish the fabric. Then, they are ready to be sewn together however, I am not sure what I am going to make with these squares. This was just some yarn that I had left over from a scarf that I knitted. I only have enough yarn to make maybe one more square.
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| Scarf that I knitted from the same yarn in February 2010. |
Carol Leigh also sells 7 foot adjustable tri-looms, 2 & 3 foot travel tri-looms, 7 foot adjustable rectangle looms, 5 ft square looms and several others. Be sure to check out her website.
Those looms are beautiful as well! I've seen some interesting things made with squares from these looms. Looking forward to seeing what you make!
ReplyDeleteI would love to buy one of her large triangle looms, but I just can't quite afford to do that . .. yet! I was actually just experimenting with this blue yarn and I am not sure that I will have enough to do anything with, (only five squares) but I might just keep on making squares out of scrap yarn and then make a tote bag or an afghan.
ReplyDeleteThis is so neat! I love how the subtle color changes appear on the woven fabric, compared to the knit.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I agree, the looms themselves are gorgeous.
She sells the looms in several different woods. Just off of the top of my head, I can remember, walnut (which is what I have), cherry, and oak. They are very well-made and smooth as silk.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I have always preferred woven fabric to knit fabric, but dealing with warping a loom is not one of my favorite activities. That is why I knit! I have a floor loom capable of weaving 45" wide fabric, but I do not use it that often because of the warping process.