Anyone do any weaving?

I've been mildly interested in weaving, but don't dare look into it too much.  I'm already working on diving head first into the world of spinning right now, and can't afford to have too many crafty distractions.  After all, I still have a family, farm, and garden to keep up with. 


Edited by chicka.chicka - 21 Apr 2012 at 12:34am

I'll check out Ravelry! I am looking at a Little Quick Weaver loom off of eBay which looks like a good compromise for size and cost (plus it's made in the US by a mom and pop business!). Having trouble finding reviews on it though. I definitely can't knit or crochet anymore, and quilting is a bit of a pain to pull out if you only have a few minutes (it usually takes that long for me to get it out, figure out where I'm at, what I need to do next, and then put it away again b/c I need the space for something else ). I'm hesitant to add another "hobby" to the mix, but I think it's going to be the most practical for me... plus it *shouldn't* take up much space which is good. I need an outlet of some sort... something I can pull out and get lost in every now and then.

sunsmiles wrote: Check out this thread once you join Rav. And the group it is posted in. :) http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/beginning-weavers/1911421/1-25

Awesome! Thanks! I got signed in (evidently I already registered at some point???) but wasn't sure where to go next.

Saw a finger weaving group that mentioned that it's a Native American/French Canadian craft - I am at least 1/8 NA on my mom's side and my dad's family is FC - how cool! I might look into that just for that reason!

sunsmiles wrote: Renee, I saw in another thread that you ordered a loom. What did you decide on?

I went with the Little Quick Weaver Jumbo model. It was going to be the best option as far as cost and size went. I don't have any experience with any others to compare it to so hopefully I'll be happy with it. DH and I looked at quite a few and liked the simplicity of the parts on this one (no gears to wear down over time, etc.). It's not as portable, obviously, but for my one and only loom right now I want something that I can make wider things with (fabric for a woven wrap possibly, baby blankets, etc.). I can always go smaller, but I can't go bigger on a smaller loom. We'll see how it goes! It also comes with everything I need in one package - not all of the other brands did and I was having a hard time sorting through what was what. I should have it in a couple weeks I hope. I think they make them as they are ordered. We're also going to see about cutting out some of the plywood base to make it lighter (his cousin has won many awards in woodworking so I am thinking he could help us figure something out) and also cut notches, or add something, to one end so I can prop it up like how some of the smaller ones are set up... it might be too big for that anyway. I'll have to wait until I get it to see for sure. I'm going to get a small folding table so I can use it in the living room. This one can also hold a lot more warp yarn - some of the other more affordable ones would only do 3 yards... this is supposed to be 6+. They are also supposed to be making a second heddle for it and setting it up so I can use two with it for future more complex patterns.

The lady that makes them has many years experience I guess so I feel comfortable that the product they make is well thought out. I also think it's neat that it's not a mass produced piece...

It comes already set up with 3 yrds of yarn, 8 inches wide. I think it will be the varigated shown in the pics which I think is really pretty! I'm hoping to make it one long continuous piece and maybe make it the wrap part of a podegai baby carrier.