Category Archives: potholder loom

Whatcha working on these days? he asked

Last week, a friend asked me what I was working on these days.

In response, I  rattled off a list of projects and tasks that is the length of my arm.

The next day, as I was leaving the dentist, he drove up to the stop sign, he said: ‘Oh yah, you say you’re working on all these things, but here you are, just walking down the street!’ :D

Um… if I could master the transporter, I would! Zap! into the dentist chair! Zap! Home again! Sparkle sparkle zing. :)

I would like that…. :)

Anyhow, here are some of the things that are happening in my studio right now….

(Not ~ all  ~ the things that are happening, as I can’t show projects that I am designing for magazines etc- the editors would be smacking me on the side of the head if I did….)

(and I am working on some stuff that I need to not talk about until it ripens. You know how it is.)

Okay… first things first…

We have adopted an adorable little rescue…. he’s 4 1/2 years old and is just wonderful.

(except for being a cat botherer… that is NOT good :(   )  This is him (in his fetching blue harness) with his adopted big brother. (Our  dear old chihuahua/daschund cross).

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

Ah, well, other than being oh so barkie about the cats, he is completely adorable. As you can see, he has settled in beautifully.

Although, every adoption takes time and patience and attention….

Alright…. a brief zip around the studio:

Okay, in the southeast corner, there’s a big project happening on my tri loom (configured to the 3 foot size).

I’ll be posting more about this as the project moves closer to the finish line:

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

My tri loom is from Dewberry Ridge looms, and it’s beautifully crafted. I love it.

I have other projects on the go on Dewberry Ridge looms:

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

I am weaving a scarf for my daughter on the 14 inch tri loom. Link to another post about this scarf: linkie

And, I am using a Dewberry Ridge Potholder loom for a new design that I will be releasing soon:

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

And, I am still working on my husband’s vest on the Structo Loom:

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

And…. I am working on several new tapestries in my series of ‘Woven Women’-

I have two ‘new to me’ looms that I bought from other weavers who didn’t bond with them:

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

I am delighted with my ‘new to me’ Mirrix ‘Joni’ tapestry loom.  I am just singing Joni’s praises!

I am loving working with her! Perfection!

At the same time that I bought Joni Mirrix, I spotted a little wooden tapestry loom on Kijiji, and happily bought her.

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

This is a very slow little loom to work with, as there are no built in shedding devices, just good old fashioned weaving swords and string heddles.

Even though, I quite love this little loom and am enjoying working on her. :)

And………… I am also working on a whole buncha other stuff, that I’ll be telling you more about later.

Until then, may the sun shine softly upon you!

Happy weaving!

 

 

4 Comments

Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, potholder loom, weaving & handwoven

Can you weave tapestry on potholder loom? why, yes!

One of my Ravelry buddies just shared photos of a lovely little tapestry loom that he’s built.

He then commented that Noreen would probably say that you can weave tapestries on her beloved potholder looms.

And, of course, I chirrupped up: “Funny you should mention that, but Y E S you can! “

Last year, after the devastation of the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan, I was very upset, and sat down with my sketchbook.

I did a little drawing that made me sit up and say: “I could weave that!”

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

So, I whipped out my Harrisville potholder loom (Link to Harrisville) and cut a square of cardboard to fit inside it.

I made a cartoon of the basic elements of the drawing: A circle inside a square, and taped it to the cardboard.

I decided to use all Harrisville yarns and fibers in this piece, so I warped up with warp yarn from Harrisville.

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

I used a table fork to beat the weft strands:

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

When I was finished, I wove an inkle border on my Schacht Inkle loom

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

I saw how the circle could become a face, so I warped up, again, and wove this:

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

And, this face made me think of the sun, so of course, I had to weave a companion,

‘Song to the Moon’: woven with yarn from my stash

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

Normally, I dislike fringes, but this piece demanded them, so I faithfully added them.

I was intrigued by weaving the expressive little faces (remember, the potholder loom yields a woven piece that is 6 inches square)

so…. with handspun yarn and stash yarn, I wove this little tapestry:

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

I have been meaning to block these little tapestries, but have been busy with so many other things that I haven’t gotten around to it.

But, when Misha joked about me weaving tapestries on the potholder loom, I thought…

“Well, they’re not blocked, but so what! I’ll post a note about them anyhow!”

So, when my ‘to do’ list calms down a little, I will, um…. I might get them blocked!

Until then, keep on weaving! I am….  :D

And, don’t forget to check out my other potholder loom weaving on my website: LINK

Please remember that this post is copyright protected, so please don’t copy the images etc! Thanks so much~!

23 Comments

Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, potholder loom, tutorial & how to, weaving & handwoven

When should a child start learning how to weave?

It’s never too early, (or too late!) for a child to start learning how to weave.

I bought my daughter her first loom when she was 6 weeks old. It was a little Spears loom #2 from England.

And, when my daughter and son were little,   I had several looms set up for them to weave on, whenever they felt inspired to weave.

And, now, my grandson weaves with me:

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

He’s been sitting in my lap at the loom since he was born, and he really gets what weaving is all about.

He’s helping me weave his Grampa’s Saori shirt:

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

He’s two now, and he KNOWS about the shuttle!

He demanded the shuttle, and put it into the shed, and helped it across with his beautiful little chubby hands….

He LOVES the bobbin winder:

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

His grampa will certainly feel the love that has been woven into this shirt!

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

What do I recommend about teaching children to weave?

You don’t need a loom to start teaching a child to weave-  cardboard looms and foam meat trays are great.

(I’ll post some patterns and instructions for them)

Child friendly looms are great- the Cricket is wonderful, as are a whole slew of small looms- ESPECIALLY,

the wonderful potholder loom!

BUT- I DO NOT recommend trying to teach a child to weave with loopers on the potholder loom.

Loops are actually rather challenging to work with.

Yarn is much more user friendly, and I have all kinds of YouTube videos to help you get children weaving.

When you click on my Potholder loom weaving page on my webiste: LINKIE

and scan down to the bottom of the page, you will find all kinds of YouTube links for my video tutorials.

I recommend the book: 1,2,3 Easy as Can Be Critters to weave on the potholder loom

and  Weavagarumi  for beginning weavers.

So, go ahead, and get those kidlets weaving!

It’ll be the gift that keeps on giving, as they will be embarking on a magnificent voyage of discovery that will last their lifetime!

Happy Weaving! :D

 

 

5 Comments

Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, potholder loom, tutorial & how to, weaving & handwoven

Video tutorial for NOT chained finish for woven squares

My favorite method to weave on looms that have pegs or nails, like the Potholder loom, or  Lil Weaver looms from Dewberry Ridge (LINK), is to weave with the continuous Potholder loom weaving method.

Usually, when you weave a square on the potholder loom, or other small loom, using the potholder loom method, you will need to chain the edge to finish it.

BUT… that can really affect the finished size of tiny squares, when working on the little 2 or 3 1/2 or 4 inch size looms.

So! I have come up with a way of finishing the edges of the squares, while you weave them.  Voila! No need to chain the edge!

Why would anyone want to weave on such tiny looms?

Well… they are so portable, you can take them anywhere,

AND… because weaving miniatures is so much fun :o )

Wee-woven-monster-and-kitty (c) Norteen Crone-Findlay

The Wee Woven monster in the photo above was woven using the Kitty pattern from my book: WEAVAGARUMI LINK

You can see the difference in size- The Weavagarumi Kitty is woven on the potholder loom (also from Dewberry Ridge POTHOLDER LOOM link )

and the Wee Woven Monster is woven on the 2 inch Lil Weaver.  Fun!

Here’s the youtube video with the tutorial on how to make some ‘edge magic’!

2 Comments

Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, potholder loom, tutorial & how to, weaving & handwoven

3 new video tutorials about spool knitting and potholder loom techniques

I took time away from blogging over the Christmas holidays, but I have been a busy bunny making video tutorials.

Here’s a video tutorial on how to stitch spool knitted cords to woven or other finished edges:

And, another how to on stitching things together- this time, it’s how to stitch potholder loom squares and motifs together

Here’s a video tutorial on how to spool knit a whole bunch of different ways with the Martha Stewart loom:

So there you have it Lotsa video tutorials…. hope they are helpful!

1 Comment

Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, potholder loom, spool knitter & spoolknitter & spool knitting & spool knitting, tutorial & how to, weaving & handwoven

A quick easy and comfie capelet (caplet ?) to weave

I have just released the pattern for my new woven capelet (caplet?) – it’s quick and super easy to make, and wonderfully comfortable to wear.

Potholder loom woven capelet (c) by Noreen Crone-Findlay

The Capelet is made by weaving simple squares with yarn on the potholder loom, and stitching them together.

The drawstring is a spool knitted cord.

Potholder loom woven capelet (c) by Noreen Crone-Findlay

When the drawstring is tied, it gathers the points of the squares into petals.

Potholder loom woven capelet (c) by Noreen Crone-Findlay

The capelet is flattering to all figures.

The pattern for the capelet fits sizes Small to Extra Large.

It is easy to adjust it to fit more voluptuous figures.
The pattern is $4.95 Cdn and is available at:
http://www.crone-findlay.com/Crone-FindlayCreationsPotholderLoomWeaving.html

Happy weaving, and joy in all that you celebrate!
:o ) Noreen

4 Comments

Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, potholder loom, spool knitter & spoolknitter & spool knitting & spool knitting, weaving & handwoven

Nifty ‘V’ and ‘U’ shape scarves to weave on the potholder loom

For this last year and a half, I have been designing up a storm, but not getting the designs out into the world.

I made a promise to myself that I am going to get as many of the new designs up and released as possible before this year ends.

On that note, I am happy to announce that I have finished another pattern- Whee, whew and yay!!!!

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

The Viva ‘V’ and “U’ shaped scarves are so comfortable to wear!

The clever shaping means that the scarf stays in place without a lot of extra yardage.

It can be made in several different ways. It can be a ‘V’ shaped scarf or cowl, or a ‘U’ shaped scarf or cowl.

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

It’s a wonderful way to showcase art yarn, and other special hand spun yarns.

Instructions are given for how to weave all the different shapes using regular weaving with yarn techniques on the potholder loom,

AS WELL AS: How to weave with bulky yarns on the potholder loom.

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

Instructions are also given for how to make big arty buttons from dead branches.

The lightweight version works well as a ‘keyhole’ scarf – one end pulls through an opening in the other end of the scarf.

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

Adding a spool knitted edging is optional.

There are soooooooooooo many ways to express your creativity with this nifty scarf!

The best part is that it is so quick and easy to make, and a real delight to wear!

The pattern can be ordered from: http://www.crone-findlay.com/Crone-FindlayCreationsPotholderLoomWeaving.html

Happy Weaving! :D

2 Comments

Filed under gifts & easy to make gifts & presents, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, potholder loom, weaving & handwoven

Video Tutorial on how to weave a mustache on the triangle loom or potholder loom by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

We all need a little bit of silliness once in awhile, right?

Video Tutorial on how to weave a mustache by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

I was weaving with my tiny 3 1/2 inch triangle loom from Dewberry Ridge Looms, LINK and I discovered that you can weave an oh so cute mustache with them….

So, my silly gift to you is a video tutorial on how to weave a mustache on a little triangle loom (or a slightly larger mustache on a potholder loom).

Our very good natured dog, who is used to modelling for my daughter in law and me, posed so prettily with one of the mustaches,

Video Tutorial on how to weave a mustache by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

And, so did my teddy bear….

Video Tutorial on how to weave a mustache by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

And, bless her heart, so did my darlin’ daughter in law, who spun the gorgeous Shetland wool that I used to make her mustache with.

Here’s the video on how to weave yourself an oh so stylish mustachio!

Happy Weaving, and have fun! :D

Leave a Comment

Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, potholder loom, tutorial & how to

Woven Whimsical Cats

One of the joys of self publishing patterns is that I get to talk about them as soon as I finish them. (Not allowed to do that with commissioned projects! It’s up to the editors to decide when the word goes out on those).

Whimsical-woven-cats-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-(c)

My most recent self published pattern is for the Woven Whimsical Cats.

You can order the pdf pattern from my website:  Link

They have been so much fun to design.

I started the designing process for them last February.

I went through several variations of them  before I settled on the two versions that are in the pattern.

There’s the sitting Whimsical Cats, who are infinitely poseable (and can be convinced to wear shoes and play musical instruments, too!)

Whimsical-woven-cats-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-(c)

They have distinctly, ‘Who me?!’ expressions of feline innocence, which probably means that they are up to all manner of mischief!

Their ‘Laying Down’ cousins:

Whimsical-woven-cats-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-(c)

are lovely to rest your wrist on when playing with the computer mouse.

Of course, they might take a swipe at the mouse, but that’s to be expected, isn’t it?

Whimsical-woven-cats-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-(c)

They were woven on the lovely potholder loom from Dewberry Ridge looms:http://www.dewberryridge.com/products/potholder-loom

Whimsical-woven-cats-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-(c)

The yarn is art yarn, handspun by the delightful Nancy Nagle of Nangellini: www.nangellini.com

Whimsical-woven-cats-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-(c)

The spool knitter that is used in the project is the Lollipop from Harrisville designs: Link

When I was designing and weaving the Whimsical Woven cats, I was remembering all the wonderful cats who have graced my life with their marvelous ways.

So, here’s to our Feline Friends! with love and thanks for all the blessings! :D

3 Comments

Filed under doll & dolls & dollmaking & doll making, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, potholder loom, spool knitter & spoolknitter & spool knitting & spool knitting, weaving & handwoven

“Keep Calm and Carry On” Banner to weave and spool knit

During the second world war, the British people were encouraged to hang on in a challenging time by posters that said: ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’.

Keep Calm and Carry On Banner by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

Well, times are challenging again, and the advice to ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ is still worthy!
So, I decided to weave a banner with these notable words emblazoned on it.
I made a pattern with lots of photos and step by step how-to’s. (It’s what I do well :D )

Keep Calm and Carry On Banner by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

I think that it would make a wonderful gift. And it’s fun to make, too!
I wove it on a beautiful hand made potholder loom from Hazel Rose looms, but any loom that gives you a 6 or 7 inch square would work just fine. (Including the Martha Stewart Loom).

If you are not a fan of spool knitting (although, in the pattern,  I show how to quickly spool knit on 3 pegs) then you might want to buy yourself an ‘Embellish Knit‘ spool knitter from Bond.
The pdf pattern can be ordered from my website:
Crone-Findlay Creations Potholder Loom Weaving

Leave a Comment

Filed under gifts & easy to make gifts & presents, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, potholder loom, spool knitter & spoolknitter & spool knitting & spool knitting, Uncategorized, weaving & handwoven