throwing in the towels

Here are the turned taquete towels off the loom. The texture is stiff and the cotton is quite shiny. I wasn't sure how i liked them. The warp and weft colors just weren't jiving well for me.

And here they are cut, serged  and washed.(still need to hem them) Wow what a difference!!

They are so soft. The colors blended and shifted in the wash like magic! I am so pleased with how the colors have turned out. It always amazes me how much things change after tossing them into the washer and dryer. I will definitely be exploring  this draft again. Big thanks to Sharon of In Stitches for sharing this draft!

Next up? Another overshot sampling project. I've already started to wind a warp of 10/2 cotton but i haven't quite settled on a pattern.This one maybe?

or maybe this one?

Both of these drafts are from the Handweaver's pattern book. Tomorrow im going to place an order at Webs for some spring colors in 5/2 and 10/2 cotton so i have plenty of time to decide on a pattern and warp my loom. I like Webs prices but their shipping and processing sure takes time. I guess its because they are on the east coast and i'm on the west, but my order always takes 2 to 3 weeks to arrive. They say good things come to those who wait,but i don't think they ever had to wait for yarn .

More Turned Taquete

I thought i would continue with some pictures of my tie/beam process.You can see that the ends are bundled into 1 inch sections i attach 2 sections onto the leaders with a larks head knot(my sectional beam is in 2 inch increments) 

Next, I tie onto the front apron rod. This is where I adjust the tension and get my warp nice and even. Note the old repurposed broom stick. It is made of hard wood, and other than being a bit bulky going over the front beam at the beginning of my project it has never given me any trouble.

When the tension is as good as i can get it,this is how the back looks. This colorful waterfall of cotton is a thing of beauty!

And here is the turned taquete! I love how beautifully square this is weaving :)

Here is a close up of the weave structure. It is just lovely :) For the weft  I'm using a slightly greyed blue called "heather" from valley yarns. This color combo is ok, but I would like more contrast and the colors are a little "muddy" The next towel I plan to try a deeper more saturated color and see what that produces.

And finally a parting shot of the current view from my loom.Traditionally we pack up our Christmas decorations on New Years day,so today is the last day to admire our beautiful Christmas tree. Out with the old and in with the new :)

May God bless you and send you a happy new year!

Turned Taquete

The turned taquete towels are going on the loom! I've been really excited to try this colorful pattern that Sharon so graciously shared with me. Her towels are so beautiful! I just had to try them :) Now that the move is over and christmas is over, I am determined to ring in the new year weaving.

This warp is 384 ends uki 5/2 cotton and double sleyed in my 8 dent reed at 16 ends per inch.

Before i thread my heddles i lift the shafts and slide in an old shuttle on each side. This raises the heddle eyes level with my reed and it is easier to thread.

This pattern is a straight draw and so simple to thread. Because my reed is double sleyed i do have to make sure that i am pulling the color sequence correctly. A major part of the magic of this pattern happens in the color sequence in the warp.

Threading is going quickly and i hope to begin winding on this evening.

Best wishes!