When Progress Is Measured in Millimeters

 

Weaving is one of those crafts (like many others) where the prep work is all done in order to *get* you to the fun part - the shuttle throwing.  And all of it has to be done *before* you can have the fun.  It's rough for some people to do the stuff that needs to be done, I assume because society (in North America, at least) has gotten used to the instant gratification of so many things.  Somehow human beings have become accustomed to pushing a button, or whatever, and voila, out pops a finished item, all perfect.

But the prep work is what makes the craft especially interesting - to me.  Making minor tweaks, trying this, that, making samples, wet finishing them, re-assessing them.  Deciding what to do.  It is a constant state of questioning, and then trying to find the answers that will get me the results I desire.

I'm nearly finished with the singles 6.  Two more warps and I think I will declare that I am 'done' with it and pass whatever is left onto...anyone who wants it?  I'm not sure how much will be left, but I'm tired.

I'm beyond the point of wanting to put up with the clutter and mess in my studio, my life.  I want to weave down other parts of my stash.  Get rid of it.  Clear the shelves off so I can put some of the boxes and bins *still* on the floor, onto shelves.  I want less.

I never thought I would come to this place in time, but my body is saying 'enough'.  

To that end I made a decision today - if any local weavers want to come to my house with boxes and clear out my entire rayon chenille stash?  They are welcome to do it.  I have many pounds of the stuff, but I've made as many rayon chenille scarves in my lifetime that I can't even look at it anymore.  Some are partial cones, some are full.  Most is in the 1450 to 1300 yyp range.  Some is a bit finer, some a bit thicker.  But I am just done.  So 'locals' (you define 'local') you get first dibs.  No charge, but you do all the packing up and carrying it away.  (email laura@laurafry.com)

In the meantime I made at least two threading errors, which are now fixed, in part because I keep the entire threading draft to hand, and then I group each repeat as a bundle, so I knew exactly what area the mistakes were in and I could easily locate the area and double check to make sure I'd make it proper again.  It means I needed to hang an 'extra' thread in one location, and 3 threads will be put onto a tube.  The excess ends will feed off as I advance the warp, and the repair 'extra' warp end will rise as I advance the warp.  I'll lower the one and raise the other as I go.  Since I have a rod in the ceiling to suspend them from, I only need to stop when I'm done weaving for the day and adjust them.

My last warp is now wet finished and ready for their finishing press.  They have a wee oopsie, but since more of my towels are being given away these days, I'm not bothered about it.  They will still dry dishes.  Or whatever.

Tomorrow I am supposed to talk to the pain doc.  I'm hoping to get some more information and see if he has a Plan B.  Once I have more information I will be making some more Big Decisions about things.

Life is never easy.  But it is endlessly fascinating.