Getting Closer…

Time seems to speed by and it often feels like nothing is happening with the weaving.  That is not true, but sometimes just how I feel.  In any case, let me tell you what is happening.  In the last weaving blog entry, I wasn’t sure about the header and the weft protection.  I received great suggestions and encouragement.  I did begin with a little nylon as weft with each of the groups.  I used the “highly scientific” method of using the end of sharpened pencil as my measuring stick for how high to weave each group.  (Somehow I’ve lost my ruler – just another reason to go shopping at Hobby Lobby!)  Anyway – here are a sample of the groups along with my latest idea on how to hold this together when I take it off the loom – paper clips!  No not the spiral wire kind – I’m using the big black mechanical spring kind.  My intent is to hold these groups temporarily.  Once off the loom, I want to work with each group one at a time removing the paperclip and nylon weft and then choosing some knotting method from Collingwood’s book.

So with all the groups ready, I’m a needing to get some bamboo in here.  I did finally finish taking the branches off the last one.  So now what?  I decided they needed to be washed from their time outside in the weather and then maybe wipe them down with mineral oil.  I was shocked almost immediately with how wonderful they looked.  All the colors deepened and sharpened.  I was nearly speechless.  Not quite though – I ran inside and asked James – How can I make this more permanent???  He made a few suggestions and I decided to try using Tung Oil.  The Tung Oil will penetrate into the wood unlike other varnishes or lacquers.  So one by one they were cleaned, dried and oiled and then propped up against the fence to dry overnight.

That’s about 1/3 of them – and I’m beginning in a very small way to understand those who choose to spin their yarn before they weave!!!  But isn’t it worth it – look at the before:

and after:

Next is to figure out how to cut them without splitting them and try out the weaving.  Then I figure the next hurdle is – how will this wind up!  Hee, hee, hee – what fun!