Ashford Knitter's Loom

Yesterday Theresa & I went out to The Fold to check out the spinning guild meeting and enjoyed a lovely day of spinning (more on that later.)  While I was there I spotted the Ashford Knitter's Loom!

Now, I'm planning to do a podcast about weaving so I'll talk a lot more about this fun toy, but I had to show it off a bit here.  First let me tell you that I had been lusting after one of these ever since I saw that Ashford had come out with them, but it was Syne Mitchell's endorsement on her last podcast (Weavecast -- check it out!) that put me over the edge.

At any rate. . . the first picture up top shows how I created the warp using the warping peg.  Then I warped up the loom:

And after that I was good to go and started weaving!  Just look what I did in one night after a long day of traveling out to Marengo, spinning all day and getting home rather tired.  I thought I might be too worn out to give it a try, but Pete encouraged me to go for it and in under an hour I had it all set up, warped up and was weaving!

I didn't use any special kind of "weaving" yarn -- just some stuff I had in the stash.  The warp is Sirdar Salsa DK (50% Merino / 50% Acrylic) and the weft if Plymouth Outback Mohair (70% Mohair, 26% Wool, 4% Nylon).  Here's a semi-close-up:

The first project that they have you start with is supposed to be a scarf, but I think I want to make this into a little bag and maybe a couple mug mats.  We'll see.  It's a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to lots more projects on my little rigid heddle loom!

Okay. . . now for the spinning part!  Yesterday I finally finished spinning up some very pretty 70% Chocolate Alpaca/30% Tussah Silk that I bought from Shadeyside Farm while at MS&W.  I'm hoping a good soak will take out the kinks, because I want to knit it up as a single.  Take a look at it on the niddy:

It's so shiny because of the silk, that it's a bit difficult to photograph.  I'll try to take a better picture once it's soaked.

Now I'm off to play with my loom some more!  Stitch-Cast is on hiatus this weekend I'm afraid. 

Comments

[Anna]

I love The Fold, it's a bit too far for me to travel to from England though! Toni has me well stocked with sock yarn though, she's great!

Love the loom!

[Karen]

Wow you had some fibery fun! The yarn you spun is stunning. I'll bet it feels heavenly.
The weaving looks like so much fun. It's very tempting to see all the crafts you do. I did go out and get all the stuff to carve some stamps.

[Brenda]

I've been wanting one of those Knitter's Looms myself. I'll look forward to listening to your podcast.

[Kate]

The alpaca/silk looks gorgeous. Can't wait for the podcast on weaving.

[Marie]

Oh I am so coveting one of these...I've always wanted to try weaving...

[kathy]

I'm totally intrigued with weaving. Something I really want to give a go. Can't wait to see what you create.

[The Purloined Letter]

Oooh, serious envy here! Can't wait to see what all you make!