Critter Weaving Warp Cross Saver

A very convenient tool for holding a warp cross.  Warp crosses are formed when a weaver winds her warp threads onto a warping board.  At one end a "cross" is formed that causes the threads to cross over one another.  When the warp is taken off the board, the cross ends are cut and sleyed onto the loom starting with the top thread.

  

This method of sleying keeps the threads in line so that they do not tangle when the warp is wound on.

  

Some weaver's use lease sticks which are long sticks that are placed through the cross.  Others, myself included, hold the threads laced through their hand and pick each thread off as they sley the reed.  This method is tedious since you pretty much need to thread the whole handful at one time.  When there are a large quantity of threads this is tiresome and your palms get sweaty which wads up the threads.

Critter Cross Saver to the rescue!!!!  My personal critter cross saver happens to be a soft plastic puppet dinosaur that was offered by Pizza Hut in 1988 to promote a movie.  It belonged to one of my daughters who passed it on to one of their kids who happened to bring it to Grandma's on a visit.  Well, it never when back home and I'm still hoping that they don't see that I still have it!.

It holds the warp cross perfectly and I tie it onto the cloth beam with a shoelace.  This way I can warp as much as I want and then leave it.  My hands are free while I'm threading and I don't have to worry about keeping my hand in one position.

Almost any type of small toy or gadget that has 4 upturned "legs" will do.  I especially like mine because the legs curve in a bit which keeps the threads from slipping off.  It's especially nice when you're working on a wide warp.

A Handwoven Birthday Pillow for my grandson

My grandson's 10th birthday is this coming week and one of the things that he requested was a handwoven pillow.  I had woven one for my eldest grandson to take along on traveling high school soccer games and Clayton always admired it.

What's really awesome is that Clayton has always been interested in my fiber arts, starting at a very young age playing with wool from my sheep!  He's one of those kids who picks up on handcrafts and building things naturally.  He could build a whole new world with Legos!!

My two grown daughters have somehow passed through childhood without a desire to learn how to spin or knit or weave so I'm thrilled that a grandson might fill that void!  I think that growing up visiting our sheep farm and seeing the natural process in which wool turns into fiber helped create an interest.

Clayton has graduated from a potholder loom and is now weaving on a tabletop.  Can't wait till he ready for my large German rug loom!!!

He picked out the color of wool Pendleton Mill selvages that he liked best and we both agreed that a rectangle would be a fun shape.  Now, my only concern is that Fozzie, his dog, does not take a fancy to it.  I need to speak with Clayton about that!!

Handwoven Wool Selvage Rugs

featuring Pendleton Mills Wool Selvages

For Sale

I've been busy at my "new to me" wonderful 1923 German rug loom!!  This heavy counter balance loom has opened up a new world of weaving to me.

The materials used in my handwoven rugs are wool selvages from the Pendleton Mill, makers of famous blankets and wool garments.  These selvages are left over during the weaving process and sold, a great recycling system for quality material!!  I use a variety of warp thread when weaving these rugs.  A lot depends on what the rugs weight is and the intended use.  I will either use cotton, cotton/poly, or linen as warp thread.

Please take a look at the following rugs for sale.  All have been handwoven here at Light in the Forest Wools on our North Idaho sheep farm by me.                                                          

Navy blue and forest green with white and gold threads add a Scottish tartan feel to this medium weight wool selvage rug.  It measures 27" x 46" and has a durable 4 layer hem at each end. 

Available for sale at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=97133916

This 25" x 37" great looking navy blue, burgundy, and gold wool selvage handwoven rug features blanket selvages which results in a heavier, shaggy rug.  Great to sink your toes into!                                                                    

Available for sale at  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=92356687      

      

27" x 46" medium weight handwoven wool selvage rug in blues, black, grey and white.  Handsome addition to a den or rec room!  

Available for sale at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=97707312