Card weaving for newbies!

I attended my weaver's guild meeting today and besides all the amazing show & tells, we got to try out Card weaving. (If you haven't seen card weaving, just do a search on YoutTube. There are some really interesting videos, where people are basically shuffling the cards!)

In card weaving, you really do thread the yarn through the cards. Different threads through different holes at different intervals. Then you twist the cards and whatnot. Complex! (Fascinating!)

We used only 7 cards- apparently some amazing types will use over 100! (That just makes my brain hurt.) I brought it home halfway done and have it set up on a side table ready to complete. (I hope I remember how to finish... something about a crochet hook and the second to last row??? eek)


Anyway, card weaving is one the multiple ancient types of weaving, and it is used to make bands. Think horse decorations, bell pulls, belts, guitar straps, and any other thing needing long decorated straps. Sometimes they are sewn together to make wider fabrics too.


The one we started today is about the size of those friendship bracelets. But I am very proud of it!


If you have a chance to try it, do so. It is one of those things I have a sneaking suspicion is highly addictive, as the opportunity for variation is basically limitless.


And if you want to do a bit more research, just google it. It is a really interesting subject of a web-wander!


Oh- our wonderful teacher today was Lana Schneider, a woman of amazing amounts of energy and knowledge who loves to share it. I very much look forward to taking some lessons from her in the future.

I'm alive- I promise!

I am alive, I just haven't had much time to sew. Or even try to knit. But I have photographic proof that I am still cutting up perfectly good fabric when I have time.

The first picture here is a raggy quilt I started making from the bin I lug around. I started this at the retreat in BC last summer and I will just keep adding bits and strings when I have time. It is relaxing work, perfect for doing after getting through a grueling bout of pressing. (There are 2 sections pictured here, pinned to my design wall.)

The next 2 photos show the raffle quilt I am working on.

Rather the raffle quilt I have NOT been working on, but which I had rather hoped to have completed and quilted and photographed and made into a lovely poster so we can sell raffle tickets to support Habitat For Humanity.

I am working on it now. I still have not quite decided on layout or actual blocks... but I HAVE decided that the posters the kiddies drew will have 3 inch blocks separating the pictures and accompanying essays about What My Home Means To Me.

In case you are wondering what all this is from, these drawings are the winners of the annual Third Grade Poster Contest which the local Association of REALTORS holds. It has been going on for decades and is a lot of fun. All third graders in Thurston County are invited to created a poster & essay. A lot of the teachers incorporate the contest into their yearly lesson plans writing and art and computer skills. Then all the entrants are posted at the Capital Mall (Westfield Shopping Center) in West Olympia and the public is invited to vote for their favorites.

These are the winners from the 2008 contest. My goal is to have the quilt completed and hagning up at the mall during the Voting. Then we should sell LOTS of raffle tickets. And don't you think teachers and parents would love the opportunity to get it?

I am rather happy with the palette for the quilt this year.
What do you think?