I love this warped view!

Decided to pull out the loom again and try round two  of using it by working with chunkier wool.  A friend who is big into weaving told me before I go further in experimentation that it was important to see how different widths and weights of yarn respond in the loom.    Knowing I didn't want to spend lots of time with fat yarn, I went for the chunkiest weight I could find.  I used a worsted strong yarn for the warp.  If you don't weave, the warp is the "strings" you weave through.  I didn't know it either 4 weeks ago.

Something I learned from the last time, "secure your loom to a table that is a comfortable height to sit at. " 

With the multi colored pink textured scarf, I stood at my cutting table a few hours at a time.  It took my neck 2 days to recover, so don't do that.

I see the value of having the stand. There is one that is sold separately for the Cricket, but for now mine is secured to a wooden portable table.  If I was weaving at a slightly higher table that would be perfect because the back end of the loom is notched out so that it can be resting on a table at an angle. That would work well in my dining room but I would be all alone!

Using a bright acrylic yarn is perfect for the header.  As you can see mine is orange.  It took less rows than I needed for the first project I did in order to get the warp to be evenly spaced.  Maybe my tie on method is better this go around.

 Chunky yarn is the mac daddy of speed.  It is weaving up really quick, and it is teaching me how to have straighter edges. You can see mistakes quickly, which is very nice.  Wish I had known the advantage of weaving chunky yarn for the first project experience.

I can envision doing a project in 100% worsted wool,  using a felting machine and adding a plaid to the woven fabric.  Strips of roving, laid over the created fabric, and felted into it.  (The roving should arrive any day, LOL!

In my quest to learn quickly, I took a class and learned not to weave so tightly.  It wasn't a problem on the other project because I kept switching weaving materials but I can see how this tip applies to the yarn being currently used.  It would lose the drape and what is a scarf without drape?


The Cricket comes with two 10" shuttles, so now I have two more to save time in switching yarns and "refilling".  Having two in a color is similar to having two bobbins ready to stitch.  It saves time. Here is an up-close look of the weaving and edges. I feel confident it will done and ready for washing and blocking tomorrow night.  Then on to embroidery ...

Just found a book on weaving, and yes, I just ordered it! Grabbed the link for you below. It also comes in kindle, but when it comes to knitting and weaving, I really like to have the book just incase there are charts and other items sometimes missing in Kindle downloads.  It would be fun to pick a project and do it as a group with a dash of embroidery added. More to follow, no doubt!

   For knitting yarns and weaving remnants I use this ball winder and it fits great on my cutting table on the far end :)