Update Newsletter: April 2008
The summer issue is shaping up! Articles are currently in production, being edited and formatted for the web. Without giving away any spoilers, let me just say I'm really excited about this issue! There are several projects for portable summer weaving, and a few surprises…all coming on May 15th!
Today’s Topics:
Afghans for Afghans: Shawls for New Mothers
Afghans for Afghans just announced a new project to create shawls for new mothers in the maternity ward of the CURE hospital in Kabul. I was interviewing Ann Rubin, the organizer, about the initiative and after I explained the advantages of weaving (fast, finer yarns, uses less materials, etc.) she said, "Oh my gosh, I need weavers!"
This is a chance to show the knitting world what weaving is all about, as well as warm up the lives of mothers and their newborn babies in Afghanistan.
Want to help out? There are three ways to get involved:
- Spread the word: tell your guild, your weaving buddies, etc.
- Donate yarn. Got a stash of fine-weight wool that you know you're never going to weave up? Send it to WeaveZine and I'll put it in the hands of a weaver who'll weave a shawl in your name.
- Weave a shawl (or two, or three...) and send it to Afghans for Afghans.
Here are some weaver-specific tips about this project:
- Please read the shawl specifications carefully, as only textiles that conform can be accepted.
- No fringe, please hem the ends of the shawl. (We don’t want babies to choke.)
- A 3 yard warp will make one shawl (allowing for loom waste.)
- Warping a long warp takes only a titch longer than a short warp, so please consider putting on 6, 9, or 12 yards and weaving several shawls.
- Use fine yarns if possible. These shawls need to have good drape. Here are some wool sett recommendations.
- Woven laces like huck, Swedish, and Bronson are fine, since they are not as airy as knitted or crochet lace. Modesty and warmth are the goal.
- Items must be made of wool or other animal fibers (alpaca, camel, cashmere, etc.) Acrylic is not warm or durable enough.
- Bright and rich colors are great. Pastels are problematic because they soil easily. Bonus points if you incorporate the color green, as that is the color of Islam.
- Remember shrinkage when planning your shawl. I’d recommend a warp that was 22-24” wide in the reed, and weaving at least 72” long.
- The deadline to mail in finished shawls is early July.
I'm weaving for this project. Want to join me?
Subscriber Drawing
Every quarter WeaveZine randomly selects a name from the folks subscribed to this update and sends them some weaving swag.
Congratulations to Vicki W., who won this time around. She takes home the book: Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands.
Painted-Skein Warps: Bonus Content
In the “Painted-Skein Warps” article in the Spring 2008 WeaveZine I mentioned there was a way to wind a warp on a warping board that works with any painted skein, regardless of whether or not it is a palindrome skein.
The trick is not to turn around at the bottom peg.
Instead, create a path on the board that is a loop. You will have to cut the warp when you take it off the warping board to open up the loop. See below for the illustrated step-by-step.
Step 1: Find a circular path on the warping board that is an exact multiple of the painted skein's circumference. This may take some experimentation and ingenuity.
Step 2: Wind your warp, being sure to build the cross every time you pass that point in the warp.
(Note: I've turned my warping board on its side to get everything to fit in the picture. Normally the closely spaced pegs would be on the left and right, and the widely spaced pegs on the top and bottom.)
Step 3: Cut the warp at the head of the circle, a short distance in front of the cross.
Viola! A painted-warp-like effect from a painted skein, with minimal fuss. Yes, your warp is a group of cut threads, but really, isn’t that what every warp eventually becomes? The only downside is for weavers who warp back-to-front, they will have to tie onto the back beam instead of just slipping the apron rod through the loops.
That's all for this update. See you on May 15th, when the Summer issue of WeaveZine goes live!
—Syne