A sneak peak of my double wide blanket

I think it looks quite pretty. 

Also in between all this and before I started this project, I am going to New Zealand soon on a one weeks holiday first time to new zealand. So because its going to be so bloody freezing and I am a Queenslander through and through I thought I better weave that alpaca scarf and knit that beanie I have been putting off .
Here is the scarf and beanie all knitted and woven in handspun natural colours of Alpaca.

This yarn was made from my first spinning experience and so is a little let me say textured but still beautiful and unique.

I used Patons Dreamtime merino for the warp and all handspun alpaca for the weft. It is 

simply done in plain weave on the rigid heddle.

All Knitted in the same alpaca used for weaving. 

I used a Noro knitting pattern but modified it to suit me and my handspun alpaca.

Double Width blanket on Rigid Heddle Loom

I am trying Double Wide Weaving out on my 80 cm Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom.

Project from Ashfords Wheels and Looms Magazine- Double Delight.
It is so pretty and unusual using novelty yarn and wool I thought i would it a go.

I didn't find it hard to understand how to thread the 2 heddles up at all. I found the instructions from Ashfords Wheels Mag really good, especially about threading the double heddle.

So here are a few things that I have discovered whilst trialling this new to me weave structure before attempting it on the Ashford Jack Floor Loom.

• Firstly each shed has its place in the structure and now I fully understand what shed is doing what function.
• That sheds 2 and 3 have 3 threads on top every time and sheds 1 and 4 have only 1 thread. Am I right in thinking these are the plain weave sheds?

Here are some pictures

Above sheds 1 and 4. One thread from a slot and one shed from a hole- This is why I think these are the plain weave sheds.
And below shed 2 and 3 with 3 ends ( 1thread in the hole and 2 in the slot.)

A good way to check for errors when clearing the shed in readiness to throw your weaving sword.

 Can you see the error in the above photo. 3 threads coming out of the slot. It should be 1 thread in a hole and 2 in the slot. No no no that could cause drama so double check every pick.

and how to double check that impending error. Double weave double width is slow going on the rigid heddle but a great project to fully understand the structure and what it entails. I am really enjoying the simplified use of the rigid heddle. Quicker to warp and start the weaving process.

Here is shed 1-  front heddle up, back in neutral

Here is Shed 2- back heddle in down position and front heddle in neutral position

  

Shed 3- Both heddles in neutral position and pick up stick B forward and on edge

Shed 4- Both heddles in neutral position and pick up stick A forward and on edge

I have tied the pick up sticks thats what the red cotton is for so they won't slide out.

I am also very conscience on my selvages especially on the fold. I am sure it won't be perfect first time round but it at first you don't succeed try , try again. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
If anyone is reading this except for myself I really hope my trials with double width weaving may be a little helpful.

Homemade Treadling Tracker.

So here is the final product. My Homemade treadle tracker.

I have documented how I made it here.

What a constructive mess

What is this going to turn out like and what is it to be become?

I have been racking by brain over the last month and been scouring the internet for some ideas on a way to keep track of my treadling on my loom. I have seen beads used a lot, strung on string and tied to the beater or castle but if tied to the beater i would be worried that the beads would slide around even with a  nice thick string. It just didn't seem that solid of an idea to me. I wanted something more technical than that and more permanent and nothing that could accidentally be touched by little fingers.
I also liked the idea of printing out the treadling sequence and taping that to the castle or beater and may have to resort to that idea for more complicated treadling.
Anyway I think this idea of mine may just work. Next post and picture is of the final thought process and how I made it. If anyone reads this blog other than me it may help you out to or maybe you could improve upon the idea.
Okay enough said  back to working on it.