Some questions have come my way since my recent post on bulky yarns, and I realized one thing I didn’t cover: what will happen if a weaver decides to weave a square using bulky yarn in all four layers?

Answer: it will be doable but difficult.

Here we have some pretty Patons Classic Wool Roving yarn–suitable for dyeing, less suitable for 4-layer pin loom weaving.

Patons Classic Wool Roving yarn. It has twist, so it won't tear apart easily. It's pretty and smooth--a dream to weave with, but not on this loom (unless you like nightmares).

Patons Classic Wool Roving yarn. It has twist, so it won’t tear apart easily. It’s pretty and smooth–a dream to weave with, but not on this loom (unless you like nightmares).

Read More →

Between the time I get an idea for a post and the actual composing of it, I sometimes forget the original concept, i.e. why am I writing this? This post is one of those.

Something tells me I’ve covered this subject before–see The Neglected Loomette post. However, in exploring the overlooked Loomette, I neglected to pursue the same procedures with the Weave-it (substitute Zoom Loom if that’s the one you own), so here’s the missing piece of information.

Starting at top left: Chunky yarn square, bulky yarn square on the Weave-it, bulky yarn square off the Loomette, bulky yarn square off the Weave-it

Starting at top left: chunky yarn square, bulky yarn square on the Weave-it, bulky yarn square off the Loomette, bulky yarn square off the Weave-it

Read More →

UPDATE: I’ve rewritten this pattern so it doesn’t involve using R16 as part of the design. You can find the rewrite on this page. Scroll down through several patterns till you get to “Ribbon Loop (rewrite).”

Though it’s not a symbol I’ve ever used before, when someone on the Pin Loom Weaving Support Group asked if there was a pin loom pattern for a breast cancer pink ribbon, I said to myself, “Why not?”

I’m in the middle of cataloging my collection of patterns and squares, but that’s really boring work. Creating patterns, weaving, and even winding skeins of yarn are all more alluring activities. And staying up later than too late–who could resist?

I drew this last night and refined it a little this morning. It's off-center, so if you're trying to follow the graph move the whole pattern one square to the left. And, uh . . . Don't try to follow the graph.

I drew this last night and refined it a little this morning. It’s off-center, so if you’re trying to follow the graph move the whole pattern one square to the left, and, uh . . . Don’t try to follow the graph.

I wove the ribbon up today while I was supposed to be cataloging. I know a graph isn’t an accurate depiction of what the finished square will look like, but I was concerned about the “corners” on the depicted ribbon loop. The loop looks more like a diamond than an oval. (In fact, the pattern is essentially, if not exactly, a mirror image of itself: two incomplete diamonds.)

***Remember: you can click on a photo to see a larger version. Click the back arrow to return to these instructions.

"Ribbon Loop" prototype

“Ribbon Loop” prototype

Reverse view of "Ribbon Loop"

Reverse view of “Ribbon Loop”

Through the magic of Paint, I was able to alter the prototype without actually making another square.

The doctored version.

The doctored version.

Read More →

This all-over pattern is the result of asking, “What if . . .?”
Or, more specifically, “Can I . . .?” Can I make a square that looks like lines of alternating chains?

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

The columns of alternating Os reminded me of a beaded curtain from the 1960s. But a slightly different warping configuration gives it an entirely different appearance.

Now it’s your turn to ask yourself, “What if . . .?” What happens if you try different colors in different warping configurations? Will the same pattern stitches always look like the same square?

"Alternating Beads" in three warping configurations.

“Alternating Beads” in three warping configurations.

Read More →