Continuous Strand Weaving

Finally got around to blocking this. I must confess I wore it a bit before blocking. It NEVER fails to amaze me how much better things look once they are blocked. This was about a 4.5 foot setting on my Triloom. The weaving took very little time and was tons of fun. The knitting took a bit longer than I expected...but was quick for me. This is a great way to use up some bulky yarn you love but don't have enough for a full size shawl. I used worsted weight for the border but DK would work... Possibly even sock. This is a picture prior to blocking    

Several weeks ago I finished this. I did the border in a different color yarn. If I had to do it over again I'd use a worsted weight yarn for the border. The border is a simple one. I finished a six foot one with fringe and a four foot one with a long lace border. I love the lace borders... Easier to wear I think. But I wanted to have at least one with fringe.      

Finally got around to adding a border to my first triloom shawl. Here it is I think it makes all the difference.  

Leno lace method is one way to add interest to your weaving. First you need to leave spaces on your weaving. Here is how First starting from the left at the bottom loop your yarn around three instead of one nails See the little opening below in the weaving.     Take the yarn across and skip two nails on the right. See the two skipped nails below.   Now take the yarn to the top and skip one nail. When you go back to the left you need to also skip one nail. Your left side will look like the picture below.   You continue weaving and fill your spaces in later. You will need a locker hook.. A crochet hook with a needle eye at the end.  

I am taking a class on breed specific wool on craftsy. It is really fun and FREE. What has been eye opening for me is the differences from one breed to another. For my swatches of the breed yarns I am knitting.. But I might also try some rectangular woven swatches, at least with the Jacob. This breed of sheep are so beautiful. Here is a picture of the natural yarn   Beautiful isn't it Below is a knitted swatch of Cormo. I got this from elsawool and have s skein of woolen spun and worsted spun yarn. This spinning has nothing to do with the worsted weight..that is a separate quality. What a difference in the two types of yarn. The woolen spun is fluffy and springy whereas the worsted spun is silky and smooth. I think for continuous strand weaving I prefer woolen spun yarn... I will swatch the worsted spun just to be sure. Swatch of Cormo Woolen spun yarn from Elsa Wool in worsted weight.    

Wool top.. Midstates Wool Growers has great prices on wool top..11$ a pound.. They also sell merino top in a bunch of beautiful colors but my skill levels are not there yet and the merino is more expensive. This a picture of what I got.. It is sooooo soft and really beautiful..you will fallin love with it. I think you could make some nice yarn for a shawl out of this. I ordered two pounds worth and here is an idea of the size...      

Well I have been busy spinning yarn on a spindle. I think this would be. Great way to get yarn for continuous strand weaving. It is relatively easy to create bulky yarn this way you can create as much or as little as you want. Sort of like a painter with his/her palate. Even if you do not want to psi urn you can easily make your own yarn by plying commercial yarn together. It is helpful to have a spindle to ply with.. You can make one for less than five dollars with materials from hobby lobby and home depot. Here is a picture of some spindles. The one on the far right is a store bought spindle from louet. Here is a picture of my first yarn