Dealing with Mistakes

 

I mentioned last time that I had a couple of threading errors that I fixed while I was still in the threading stage.  One meant I had to hang an 'extra' end, and in another I had a couple 'extra' threads that I removed from the warp.  

The 'extra' end is the tag end of a tube that I threaded into the heddle and reed, then passed under the rail above the back beam, then over the ceiling bar and let down so that as I weave, the tube climbs up as the warp advances.

The other tube I tied the 'extra' ends to a bit of yarn left on the tube and hung it off the ceiling bar and the excess yarn drops as the warp advances.  After weaving for 30 minutes they are about at the same level.  When I go back to the loom I will raise the one and lower the other and keep weaving.

Since I cut off the web partway through, I will need to remember to set the tube with the replacement end so that it won't pull out of the reed and heddle and fall to the floor.  But it's kind of hard to forget it when I have to keep moving it each time I weave.

(But not impossible!)

Here's the thing with weaving mistakes.  They happen.  I don't focus on the fact I made the mistake, but on how to fix it.  Or if I will even bother to fix it.  I am no longer exhibiting my work, and most of my mistakes are not very obvious.  If they are too obvious, I label them 'seconds' and either gift them or mark them down to recoup my financial investment of yarn.

Mostly I've been making tea towels, and even ones that have minor mistakes will still dry the dishes.

And I *can* still weave (so far).  And right now that is a lot more important to me that I make only 'perfect' textiles.

"Forget your perfect offering.  Everything has a crack in it.  It's how the light gets in."  Leonard Cohen.