In the “Single Outline Diamond with beads” video, near the end, I demonstrate . . .

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE WEAVING GETS TIGHT AT THE TOP

The first thing to do is use your thumb to press down on the threads when there’s not enough room for the Tug technique (see My First Video). Next you can use your fork; if your fork doesn’t have a straight edge at the end of the handle, you can use the side of the tines.

When you’ve hit the frame and nothing else will do, you can use a crochet hook. I use an Amour by Clover, size B (2.25 mm) because it fits through the pins (sometimes I have to use the hook to rewarp parts of the loom that inadvertently “gang aft agley”) and it’s not useful for most of my crocheting.

Crochet hooks--the omni-tool of needlework-and-all-other-worlds

Crochet hooks–the omni-tool of the-needlework-and-all-other-worlds

Tightness Tip 2

With the needle in place, use the crochet hook to gently pull the warp thread loops away from the pins. This will help pack the weaving a little tighter below, and will give you a little more room to weave that last row.

These techniques are demonstrated in this video. Go to 5:40 on the clock.

No denying it, diamonds are a popular design element when it comes to weaving. They’re symmetrical, versatile, and dynamic.

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An assortment of pin loom jewels

In addition to all-over patterns, sometimes patterns feature what I call “pictures.” So there are overall patterns and picture patterns, or pictures–in my personal terminology. Last week we learned that you can do just about anything and the weaving will work out. This week we’re going to tackle a simple picture: the “Single Outline Diamond” from the Weave-it Weaves booklet. Picture patterns are less fudge-able, so it’s important to focus on the pattern and count stitiches. The instructions for the pattern are typed out below–so you don’t have to copy the photo–I suggest printing them so you can make notes as you go.

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Can you imagine a time when people used to make a living selling stuff for 15 cents?

(The Weave-it Weaves booklet can be found in PDF format at this site: http://www.eloomanation.com/projects.php Scroll down the page till you see the booklet cover pictured above, then click on the PDF link.)

"Single Outline Diamond"

“Single Outline Diamond”

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I realize that pictures of freshly dyed yarn drying on a rack can lose their appeal after a while, or awhile (long time/short time). Yet the thrill of doing the dyeing does not die. How many times have I dyed now? I feel like Phil in Groundhog Day.

Today's harvest

Today’s harvest

The two hanks of yarn on the outside edges were once what we call white in the wool world, though off-white, or natural, is more accurate. In the past several days, I’ve woven up the other yarns I dyed and noticed I was lacking a yellow representative, so I MADE MY OWN! (Yeah, yeah, I made all the others too, but it still thrills me that I can make what I need right here at home.)

Yes, we're also missing blue and lavender squares. This will never do . . .

Yes, we’re also missing blue and lavender squares. This will never do . . .

The two skeins in the center of the drying rack photo were gray–hand spun by yours truly. That emerald green is not my usual fare–I have to make mistakes to get out of my comfort zone–it was meant, ahem, to be blue. So, great news, I still have some dyeing ahead of me. And, to get the colors I want, I’ll either have to buy more Wilton cake decorating gel dyes or actually mix up the Pro Chem stuff I bought last year. (Which do you think is going to happen first?) In the meantime I’m spinning up my undyed merino wool so I can truly own this project!

In other news, I wove a Fourth of July tree with beads (and yarn). It’s a toss-up between weaving with beads and dyeing–which I enjoy more. Luckily, I don’t have to choose. I can do them both!

Happy Independence Day, a few months early.

Happy Independence Day, a few months early.