and still more photos of my saori adventure…

I am just having a ball with this! It is really fun and even with all the goodies I have to weave in, I still want to spin some more hand spun to include. I may take home some of the roving and yarn bits to spin up a bit more.
The bits and clouds of roving are behaving well on their own, but together with a little twist, who knows what fun might ensue.
 

More Gratuitous Close-ups

I AM IN LOVE. Ok, so Saori weaving is where it’s at. This is where I am at.
kthxbai.

Playing with Saori on Cricket

The black rayon is very slippery. It was challenging to warp the loom but with a little help from my friends, (thanks, Rod!) it is warped and I am well on my way to weaving a couple of free form scarves. I selected several bits of roving and locks from my stash as well as yarn bits, balls and samples, and trim and rick rack, ribbon and whatever else was in the bags of goodies I keep  for these very projects.
I went with fuchsia and bright greens….one of my all time favorite combinations. I think it is because I had a dress up costume when I was 12 or so with those colors. It was an old burlesque kind of showgirl outfit which I loved with alternating fuchsia and lime green satin stripes outlined in black with long black fringe and sequins.
anyway…I stated working on the Cricket today with all my lovely and nostalgic colors and textures and this is the progress so far…

More to come!

Washing the Wool.

I love how soft everything becomes when I wash and block it! Even just the water changes the fiber, and many yarns bloom considerably. I just washed and hung a hank of hanspun yarn, merino with mohair, silk and other sparkly goodness, as well as all my new scarves off the loom.
The water was hot and then warm mostly, I really did not want to felt it, but just ‘set’ it nicely. I sent the Bunny out to replenish the Suave Green Apple hair conditioner supply, which totally softens the fibers. I just add a tablespoonful or so, a couple of squirts to each piece. Less for smaller things. I don’t even rinse it all out, I just squeeze out most of the water in towels.
For this purpose, I brought in several bath sheets (read:gi-hugic) towels to dry everything. They were drenched when I was done. I rolled each scarf up and then stepped on them to remove as much water as I could.
Now they are all in the backyard drying on the drying rack.

Freeing the Scarves

This has been exhilarating … after weaving for weeks on this same warp, I am finally removing everything from the loom today! I finished up the free form piece at the end and cut everything off and wound it up into a giant ball…here:

Next I used the rotary cutter to separate one from another and now there are 7 different pieces!! Woo.
 

I will take pictures of the saori bag when I am done sewing it together into a bag-shape! I am having a good time with it, so I am not rushing….
All these scarves above are going to receive a bath and then will be available for purchase. Each is 9” wide and between 60” and 72” before the fringe. Each has approximately 6” fringe per end. Washing the scarves allow the fabric to come into balance and the yarns to bloom slightly and also softens the fabric even more for the next-to-the-skin softness we all desire in a scarf!♥
Here are more gratuitous close up shots of the weaving":

Saori Weaving: Taking the Plunge

With just a small amount of warp remaining, I decided to play around with the Saori style of weaving, including roving and loose fiber, bits of silk and threads and yarns of all kinds…not that I limit my regular weaving to exclude these things, but the Saori style allows all of it and more.

Saori comes from a Japanese style created in 1968 by Misao Jo, the name comes from SA- from the Zen alphabet meaning each one has their own individual dignity and ORI is Japanese for weaving.

I am eager to see what the future holds for my weaving as I allow it to unfold.

In this first piece, I have used the small hand made comb beater Alisha loaned me rather than beating across the whole warp at once, and it allows me to create the curves and swells and mountains in the fabric. The warp threads are actually flat on a horizontal plane, it just appears bent, but that is an illusion. The texture on the surface is just the roving and locks poking through.

As much of a risk-taker as I consider mysel to be, taking this plunge into Saori weaving has been harder than I expected. I wanted to warp the small Cricket loom with black rayon first, and botched that all up; well, tangled it up, really. Then I figured I would wait until I had rounded up all the color coordinating fibers I wanted to use all together with other inclusion and get everything totally ready, then yesterday I just jumped in with the end of the warp on the 4 harness loom. Now I think I will work a few more inches and make this into a bag or purse.

I will post the progress as I continue. Stay tuned.

Weaving Adventures

 

After about 10 scarves on the Schacht Cricket loom, I decided I needed to get a little bigger…so I invested in what I understand is a good starter loom, a 22” Harrisville Designs 4-Harness floor loom.

After about 6 hours of warping and instruction, I got 14 yards of warp onto the thing, enticed my lovely Bunny  to build me a raddle and lease sticks, and have woven 5 and one half scarves on this warp. I am allowing 12” of fringe between my hem stitching, and moving on to the next scarf, so when I am complete I will have the wonderful treat of seeing all my scarves at once! I have pretty much forgotten what went on at the beginning of the warp!\

Trying to match the painted warp I chose was a little bit of a challenge, the first scarf is an assortment of different yarns,  all fairly neutral and matching somewhat, the second is my handspun with some mill spun merino wool, the third is all corespun white-ish bulky which I love! Then I worked more handspun, wait, maybe the next one was the green and brown, and then there is a hank of really fun slubby yarn I did with a thread ply and lots of coils. Ok now I am confused but I know I am halfway done with the last one and it is part hanspun, part thick and thin millspun merino and part boucle mohair which I love, its an old Ironstone from the last of a cone. I really love the boucle mohair for weaving.

Some more of the cricket scarves are here:

The larger loom is here:

And this is what I have been weaving with plain weave/tabby and twill. (I tried to figure out if I could do anything else with a 1-2-3-4 warping…I found no other patterns without sticks or other set up…)

Technorati Tags: Weaving Harrisville cricket scarves loom Nangellini woven handspun yarn

They look similar because of the painted warp I have chosen here. Next time I will warp with more subtle warp contrasts.

Checking in

Technorati Tags: knitting crochet weaving spinning

I am interested in recording my knitting, spinning, crocheting and weaving here and documenting what is new and exciting at Nangellini. After unsuccessful attempts in the past to synch the posts to the blog, I am revisiting again to see if I can make it work.

I believe in the path of ease and grace and also in allowing what presents itself as a part of the process. Now is the time to do this. The past was perfect and the timing is perfect. Now. 

earthairwaterfire

earthairwaterfire
Originally uploaded by Nangellini

Some on ravelery just asked if I had the Itata Multi in Elemental colors, so this is what I came up with,
From left to right: Earth, Air, Water and Fire.
THese are superwash wool with 15% Silk and 15% bamboo, which make them great for shawls and garments requiring a nice drape as well as socks, as the bamboo and silk add great durability and strength for long wear!

Feeling Light

I just wanted to share the thoughts of light and love that are in my mind and heart right now.

We can take a moment and feel good about something, really anything that comes to mind. I was tagging some yarn that arrived today and enjoying the colors and softness of the fibers in my hands. Arranging the colors and rearranging them in differnt ways, and touching the hank of yarn to my cheek and sniffing it, and petting it made me smile and feel glad.

I am grateful to have to opportunity to be surrounded by color and beautiful things.

Across the street is a community garden and there are flowers growing, and across the room is a wonderful loving being whom I share my life with.

I have so much to be grateful for. I need only look and I find something else to thank God for.

I am inspired to make things that make me smile and make others smile. I want to inspire others around me. I am grateful when someone tells me I have done so.

Thank you.

paintings...

I have been painting acrylic on canvas and having a great time. So far I have created one Heart painting which has been purchased, and two more Heart Celtic Knots which are available.

I am painting more and will continue to do so as the inspiration strikes. It has been great fun and I look forward to what will come next.
Celtic knots are something I have been playing with for some time, designing and creating them on paper, and I have been planning to construct them with fiber and felting as well....the possibilities are endless. I will also paint more in various colors and play with the combinations and variations of the knots I have designed as well as designing more.

Inspiration, Entrelac and Reinventing Ourselves.

I just got a package in. The joy of ripping open the overstuffed plastic and investigating the fibery goodness contained within is hard to contain. I wish the DHL man safe travels and begin exploring.

I like what I see. The rayon has sparkly bits intertwined and the cotton is smooth and shiny and the carry-along yarns are just perfect to add a hint of color and shine to some soft mohair....it is all perfect. These were ordered sight unseen (or at least untouched; via the web), except for the reorders....anyway, its all good and I am delighted.





The entrelac portion of our post is brought to you by the Tuesday night knittig group. We are entrelacing along.
The basic instructions are coming along but we are working this a piece at a time; part of the joy of entrelac; bite-sized pieces, you know.

Etrelac-A-Long

Ok, to download the pdf file, please visit Nangellini
and go to the goodies section, where the patterns live.


♥*♦^♦*♥

Today is beautiful and can become exactly what you desire. Stay open to inspiration, where it may hail from, allow it to light on your shoulder, back of your hand, cerebral cortex. Notice when it does. I love you.

How Nangellini was Born

How Nangellini was Born

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New Slideshow of Images

I have been busy crocheting and knitting but don't often stop to photograph or share...so here are few new pieces concatenated into a slide show. Enjoy, and peace, and love,
Nancy

Check out my Slide Show!

Leaf Tess

Leaf Tess
Originally uploaded by cedison

Amazing paper folding; Illuminated from behind. Simply gorgeous!

Visit form the Yarn Fairy!

I have been playing with the latest booty from the yarn fairy, really fun stuff.
He brought some Lantern Moon knitting bags which are gorgeous and clever, one even has a pin cushion hidden inside the basket. There are also a couple of messenger bags which look to be made of some recycled material from Cambodia, really fun with fish prints on them.
Also got lots of fabulous yarns and needles most of which are on sale now, and some cute knitting themed mugs. Lots of fun stuff. I made a hat with some of the samples he brought...I am very pleased. We are still sorting things out now.
Also have some boucle on the way. Oh an d more interesting yarns, I will post again soon and describe in detail...:)

Did I mention...Colinette, Prism, Blue Heron, et al

As I am sorting through the new yarn, I thought I might just share...there are three Colinette Vintage Kits. These retail for $140, but we are going to offer them for much less since we got a price break on them, everyone wins! Also found lots of Blue Heron which is hand dyed (various textures of that, have not yet sorted or inspected what they all are) Also some Claudia's, which I recognized.

I am thinking I may want a Colinette kit for myself.
I had that same thought about the Prism. I have 4 half skeins of Cool Stuff in Tea Rose colorway. It is very pretty and I may just have to keep one for moi.
Each fabulous yarn that I have never tried yet calls to me...saying "How can you sell me if you never tried me yourself. Don't you want to knit me NOW?

I know at most of the novelty and onsie balls are going in our sale bin, which should be fun for those that peruse them on a regular basis...basically new balls are finding there way in there every day. If I didn't have this store, I would be customer here for sure. :)
I am starting to sound like one of those car salesmen on TV commercials. "We must be CRAZEE to sell this stuff so CHEAP." Ok Maybe I feel more like Tom Waits singing "Step Right Up."
Always wanted to feel like Waits, er, maybe that was I always wanted to feel Tom Waits. Close enough.

Amazing Abundance of Yarn

It is almost unbelievable the abundance of gorgeous yarn that has come into life of late.
I have been fortunate enough to purchase the contents of two, not one, but TWO closing yarn shops.
Well, not the entire contents but you can be sure I got the best, most yummiest, most fantastic yarns they had. Not only that, but the lovely women with whom I was trading were quite generous. I use the term trading loosely. I was trading cash for yarn, which is pretty much how that works for me. I have cash, you have yarn; we trade; I am happy.
Anyway, I got lots of hand painted goodness, lots of silk and silky things, lots of gorgeous bulky wool and super bulky winter time fun stuff and of course novelties, needles, and notions, scarf pins and more. It is too much to believe.
After the first round with the Jenkintown ladies, Nicole, my assistant, and I were kind of rolling around the floor in all the hand painted Great Adirondack and Schaefer yarns, when Carolyn called, so she came in and proceeded to lay on the floor...with the yarn. It was a nice afternoon.
By mid-week we had everything sorted, tagged and entered into inventory and onto the shelves and racks.
Then it started all over again; just last night I went visited another woman with the contents of her shop spread between her beautiful finished knitting room/basement and her garage, all the boxes in the garage were labeled with the intricate contents of each box marked with quantities of each and the circles and the arrows and a full color glossy photo of....sorry, no, I digress...anyway, we got some amazing things there and I look forward to sorting thru it all to see what we actually purchased. :) I know we will be pleased in the long run. Getting it all into inventory as 'assorted' or as what it actually is...is another feat all together. Oy.
Well, by the time we got out of there, we were drenched with sweat, it had begun to rain, and my Tupperware bins were nearing capacity with yarn and the cardboard box was getting wet in the back of my truck, but we pressed on...we had another stop in Jenkintown with the original and first yarn-store-going-out-of-business-whose-inventory-I-must-obtain.
We were late but I knew the yarn was patient, it always is.
Just as expected, it was waiting shelved and bagged politely with its people and pets occupying themselves amongst the books and notions. Good yarn. No wait, bad yarn, all vying for my affections and wooing me like that.
Damn it, I want you all. OK Focus, Focus. (That was heard quite a bit last night)
Now the fun will really begin, as we do the sort, catalog, enter data and tag portion of this adventure. We got through the first round so this shouldn't be too bad--although this latest haul is twice as big.
I am happy to report that I spent less than 5K. If your SO ever gives you a hard time about your yarn shopping, or yarn acquisition addiction, you can him/her about me.

Love and blessings,
Nancy

Sari Silk Solids--Most Gorgeous Thing Ever!

I just got in an order from one of my most favorite yarn vendors, Frabjous Fibers and I was unpacking and labeling the yummy yarns. There was a bright yellow Banana Silk and some Red Banana Silk, and more Kathmandu, the traditional multi colored silk spun from the weaving waste of the sari looms. Now bear in mind, these are all spun by a fair trade women's collective in Nepal, a cottage industry, and imported by this wonderful woman in Vermont who runs Frabjous Fibers. Well, all was going well until I unpacked the silk solids which I ordered for the first time, these are softer than the regular sari silk, and the colors are intense and they are subtle shades within a shade of luscious goodness. I was just drooling all over them, I so very much wanted to eat them. [I refrained.]

In lieu of eating them, I collected a fuchsia, cobalt and a dark green, and escorted them around town for the evening in my bag, checking in with them periodically and showing them off at every opportunity.

Pictured above are the Sari Silk Solids encircling a couple hanks of Kathmandu. Radiant, isn't it?

For knitters, crocheters and yarn collectors, these lovely hanks are 100 grams for the solids and they sell for $12.00, the Kathmandu Original is 200 grams and sells for $15.00. please call for availability 215-413-5001 and we can send them out to you straightaway.