Lessons in Frustration
Remember back this fall at fair-time, I spoke of this blue and gold warp that I spent the week working on? I asked the question…..Amazing threads or loose ends? Cheryl commented that she was betting that they were amazing.
Well, loose ends is more like it…LOL. I spent the entire week trying to get that warp onto this new to me loom. Needless to say, most people got a real taste that week of just how difficult dressing a loom can be at times.
Weaving is the easy part…..so what did I learn that week?
Lesson number 1: DO NOT WARP A LOOM IN PUBLIC..(you can’t use curse words and you may need to, in fact you will use them)
Lesson number 2: DO NOT BREAK IN A NEW LOOM IN PUBLIC..same comments apply.
The little macomber loom has been patiently sitting in my kitchen waiting with it’s pretty gold and blue warp, I was so disgusted with the process, that I just couldn’t bring myself to tackle it again so soon….but today, I thought that i would take another stab at working on it. Arrgghhh
I can honestly say that I am really struggling with this Baby Mac, and even though I know the reasons why, I just can’t seem to fix it. I love the idea of having a small loom in my kitchen and I so want these towels as they match my kitchen….and the cottolin was not inexpensive……but……I am just not feeling the love for this loom. The little pinwheels are making me smile though…LOL. When my middle daughter, Ashley, was a young child, her days were spent watching her favorite show…pinwheels. Just remembering those days makes me smile … they were good days:-), but I digress.
I own a big 48 inch Macomber which I do love. The treadles and harnesses move almost effortlessly…..a true cadillac of looms, so when I purchased this little loom, I thought that it would be more of the same, but I was wrong. I bought this loom second hand and the man (who works on looms for a living) who I bought it from had made a few little changes, such as the tie up, which is not working well….and the brake does not seem to hold the beam tight.
I will struggle thru this process, as I have a good sum of time and money already invested, but I think I am going to take a trip down to York, where these looms are manufactured, this week. I want to talk to them about possibly working on this loom for me and take a look at the 24" Add A Harness loom like the big one I already have and see if I like that one better than the Baby Mac, which is a much lighterweigh (less sturdy) loom. If not……….then a trip to Harrisville may be in order 🙂
The Woolen Rabbit 
Good luck in working out the kinks in this loom. I really love the towels you are making!
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Good luck in working out the kinks in this loom. I really love the towels you are making!
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It is too bad it’s such a struggle – the results are lovely. I can’t imagine putting that much effort into making towels….
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It is too bad it’s such a struggle – the results are lovely. I can’t imagine putting that much effort into making towels….
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The pinwheels are really cute – they certainly seem worth the effort.
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The pinwheels are really cute – they certainly seem worth the effort.
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I know nothing about looms so I can’t offer advice. I do want to say that I’m sorry you’re struggling. And also, that I think the weaving is really pretty.
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I know nothing about looms so I can’t offer advice. I do want to say that I’m sorry you’re struggling. And also, that I think the weaving is really pretty.
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The weaving is lovely — hope it becomes less of a struggle. Thanks for the blast from the past! My kids loved Pinwheel too. Now, of course, I have the theme song stuck in my head!
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The weaving is lovely — hope it becomes less of a struggle. Thanks for the blast from the past! My kids loved Pinwheel too. Now, of course, I have the theme song stuck in my head!
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Love the pinwheels – sorry for the loose ends. How cool that you can just drive down to York. I love my 40″ Macomber. Is this little one a table loom?
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Love the pinwheels – sorry for the loose ends. How cool that you can just drive down to York. I love my 40″ Macomber. Is this little one a table loom?
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Good luck with getting the loom to work. I really like that pattern with the pinwheels so far!!!!
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Good luck with getting the loom to work. I really like that pattern with the pinwheels so far!!!!
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The FO looks like it will be worth it. Going to the source sounds like a good idea. Guy units don’t always modify well.
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The FO looks like it will be worth it. Going to the source sounds like a good idea. Guy units don’t always modify well.
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Your work is so extraordinary … and it is a good thing that you know so much about looms so you can work out the kinks in this one. It is always a special pleasure to visit your site … such beautiful projects.
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Your work is so extraordinary … and it is a good thing that you know so much about looms so you can work out the kinks in this one. It is always a special pleasure to visit your site … such beautiful projects.
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Aha! I was right, it is looking amazing! I just love that color combination. I keep meaning to get over to Harrisville myself but I’ve still never been.
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Aha! I was right, it is looking amazing! I just love that color combination. I keep meaning to get over to Harrisville myself but I’ve still never been.
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I can’t help you with the loom stuff but for the walking of a big strong dog I have this. Sometimes when I want to walk and not worry about being pulled around and having to keep on top of the dog for training sake I use a head collar. They make a few different types. The Gentle Leader or the Halti are the two most common. They will give you a leverage advantage since the dog has to use different muscles to pull against them. (dogs are also 4 wheel drive and have a lower center of gravity) They are simliar to halters on horses. The great thing about them too is that you don’t need to use them every time or forever. Just when you want some extra control or to train not to pull without losing your elbow or shoulder in the process. I hope that helps! Marie in Maine (aka Akitamom2@aol.com)
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I can’t help you with the loom stuff but for the walking of a big strong dog I have this. Sometimes when I want to walk and not worry about being pulled around and having to keep on top of the dog for training sake I use a head collar. They make a few different types. The Gentle Leader or the Halti are the two most common. They will give you a leverage advantage since the dog has to use different muscles to pull against them. (dogs are also 4 wheel drive and have a lower center of gravity) They are simliar to halters on horses. The great thing about them too is that you don’t need to use them every time or forever. Just when you want some extra control or to train not to pull without losing your elbow or shoulder in the process. I hope that helps! Marie in Maine (aka Akitamom2@aol.com)
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the first time i warped my loom (after 20+ years) ended at about 3a.m. with me sobbing hysterically….
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the first time i warped my loom (after 20+ years) ended at about 3a.m. with me sobbing hysterically….
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That’s all Greek to me Kim, but I can tell that the weaving is GORGEOUS. Lovely work — I didn’t really know the depth involved in weaving.
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That’s all Greek to me Kim, but I can tell that the weaving is GORGEOUS. Lovely work — I didn’t really know the depth involved in weaving.
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