2nd Monday gathering at Barb’s

It was pretty great heading to Barbs house for our 2nd Monday weavers gathering last Monday.  First the drive down through our  rolling  hills of the driftless region and then down along the Wisconsin River was lovely, even without any seeing much evidence of spring time green colors yet.  It was just great to get out of town.  Plus we had new weaver Maureen to share her first ever weaving project and we met a new person, Rachel who knits with Barb at our local yarn store Ewetopia.  Barb and Rachel both had some lovely hand knits and I believe in Barb’s case handspun sweaters to show us; and from the amount of pictures that I took it seems that everyone is feeling pretty productive.

My newest weavings are a linen scarf in plain weave and swedish lace blocks using a marled 16/2 black and white linen that I hope my friend Nance sees because she inspired it. Also Maureens plain weave towels made me long for the simplicity and beauty of some plain weave.  The scarf is a little stiffer than what I am used to but I know with washing that it will soften.  Still I might open up the set on the next 2 scarves on the loom so that the swedish lace blocks are more visible.

And then to balance the simplicity of plain weave my blue tencel scarf was challenging to thread and to treadle, but I knew this pattern had to be attempted after seeing it on handweaving.net (I think).  I started weaving it the day before our gathering with no idea that I could finish it, but with a little hutzpah it was done and even washed in time to take it to show.

Not only did we get to have our fill of fiber textiles to fondle but it looks like our potluck mojo was back starting with Barb’s yummy garlic tomato soup and her great Moroccan salad.  It was a fun day all around and it sure feels good to be gathering together again.

I almost forgot to say that the highlight for me were the sweet kisses that I got from the ever debonair llama Gandolf.  Barb even invited me back anytime I need some llama love….

Gandolf the llama

Barb’s many lovely textiles and sweet Gandolf

I’m loving this and glad that I changed the warp to black so that the other scarves can be different colors

pretty pretty

Maureen’s lovely first weaving project off the loom and Rachel’s sheepy sweater in progress

Kind of cool how Judith’s drawings from her sketchbook remind me of her weavings. Inspirational all.

Denise holding up Judith’s weaving and it looks even cooler with light behind it.

friends and food

some of the steps into getting a scarf started

16/2 linen scarf in plain weave and swedish lace

Jan’s incredible scarf from Handwoven