Category Archives: Loom & looms & small loom weaving

December 18, 2011 · 6:49 pm

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!!!!

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.

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.

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.

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! 😀

2 Comments

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

Tagged as art yarn, handspun yarn, Noreen Crone-Findlay, potholder loom, small loom weaving, woven scarf

December 16, 2011 · 4:06 pm

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)

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

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

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! 😀

5 Comments

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

Tagged as art yarn, cat doll, hand woven, handweaving, Nangellini, Noreen Crone-Findlay, potholder loom, small loom weaving, spool knitter, woven whimsical cat

December 7, 2011 · 3:39 pm

One of a kind woven art doll-Green Empress and a mini studio tour

Over the last couple of years, I have been weaving a series of tapestries and one of a kind art dolls.

Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright

I am calling this series, ‘Woven Women’. I made a little video mini tour of one corner of my studio, showing ‘The Green Empress’.

The Green Empress brings together many of my favorite fiber techniques: Tapestry weaving, inkle weaving, small loom weaving, crochet, wire work, tatting and punch needle embroidery.

My plan is to eventually have enough ‘Woven Women’ for a one woman show. I don’t have enough of them finished yet, but I am working on it!

Here are some more photos and the video tour that shows The Green Empress:

Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright

Her face is punch needle embroidery and her crown is tapestry weave.

Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright

Her hands are heavy gauge wire, wrapped with cotton thread. They are cupped so they can hold small objects.

Her arms are inkle bands and 2 inch Weave it Squares, stitched and shaped and layered.

Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright

Her feet are a combination of 2 inch squares that I wove on my vintage Weave it loom, with Inkle weaving.

I just kept stitching and shaping until I was happy with her feet.

Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright

I crocheted wire in an open work mesh to shape her body and skirt.

They, I wove miles of inkle bands (woven on my Schacht inkle loom) through them.

I also wove in tatted lace, too. The skirt is about 24 inches wide, but is folded and stitched.

Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright

This closeup shows a small panel of punch needle embroidery , tatting, inkle weaving and the copper wire armature.

Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright

Close up of one eye and part of the crown. You can see that I love Byzantine art, as there is a definite influence here.

And, here is the link to a mini studio tour, with my wonderful husband playing one of his compositions (with our small dog in his lap, as small dog insists on sitting in Jim’s lap when he plays and practices!)

18 Comments

Filed under crochet, doll & dolls & dollmaking & doll making, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, weaving & handwoven, Woven Women tapestries and woven works

Tagged as 'Woven Women' by Noreen Crone-Findlay, art doll, crochet, crocheted wire, doll, doll making, dolls, hand weaving, hand woven, inkle weaving, knitted dolls, Noreen Crone-Findlay, one of a kind wall doll, punch needle embroidery, small loom weaving, tapestry weaving, tatting, Tottie Tomato, wire work, woven dolls, Woven one of a kind art doll by Noreen Crone-Findlay

December 5, 2011 · 12:23 pm

New video tutorial on how to weave smooth edges with 2 colors on Martha Stewart loom

I was asked a very good question last week.

A lady on Ravelry was having a hard time with wonky edges on the Martha Stewart loom, when she wove with more than one color. How to fix this?

2 color weaving on Martha Stewart loom by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c

By the way in the photo above, I couldn’t resist including the yummy cupcake my daughter made for her little one’s birthday – I don’t recommend eating while weaving! 😀
Here’s the link to the video tutorial that shows the nifty trick that I have figured out for making lovely edges when weaving on small looms.
And yes, this technique works great for potholder looms, too!

2 Comments

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

Tagged as Martha Stewart loom, Noreen Crone-Findlay, potholder loom, small loom weaving, video tutorial, weaving technique

November 29, 2011 · 7:42 pm

More photos of projects from the Lily Speed-O-Weave loom book

A lady on Ravelry just asked for more of a preview of what is in the Lily Speed-O-Weave loom book (link to page on my website)

Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom book by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

The first two sections of the book teach a ton of useful and neat techniques for working with the Lily Speed-O-Weave looms- there are several different ways of wrapping the looms, how to tie the intersections, how to weave more than just hexagons on the hexagon loom ( half hexagon motifs and triangle motifs), how to make easy linings for projects, how to spool knit edgings over a core, how to make butterflies and hearts on little triangle looms (don’t have a small triangle loom? I’ve made a couple of video tutorials on how to weave triangles on the potholder loom. See Potholder loom page ), plus the special hexagonal grid paper that I drew to be able to design with the hexagons. (Hexagons are tricky critters until you unlock the code on them! 😀 ) As well, there are instructions on how to work with the square and rectangular Lily Speed-O-Weave loom. And a whole lot more….

Then, there are 19 different projects:

Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom book by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

How to make hexagonal AND square baskets from upcycled fabric strips from torn up clothing- of course, you can use yarn, roving, string or cord to make the baskets, but I really enjoy using fabric strips, so I did the baskets with them.

Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom book by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

I already wrote about this freeform stole: Link

Lily-Speed-O-Weave-monster-designed by Noreen Crone-Findlay (coppyright)

and Monster Dear and Little Bunny: Link

Lily-Speed-O-Weave-Snuggle-Bunny-designed by Noreen Crone-Findlay (coppyright)

And then, there’s the coat that is so awesome that someone bought it the first time I wore it!

Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom book by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

And this elegant and cozy capelet

Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom book by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

I love stoles and shawls, so I design, make, and wear a lot of them:

Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom book by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

And, I love vests:

Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom book by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

The Lily Speed-O-Weave loom is great for potholders and placemats:

Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom book by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

And, bags! Lots of bags! (and I also included a pattern for making your own wooden handles)

Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom book by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

I could keep going : ‘But wait! there’s more! ‘…. but I think that you get the picture- the book is full of wonderfulness!

Order link: Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom book by Noreen Crone-Findlay

4 Comments

Filed under eco crafts & green projects, Loom & looms & small loom weaving, weaving & handwoven

Tagged as hand woven, Lily Speed-O-Weave loom, Lily Speed-O-Weave loom book, small loom weaving, woven bags, woven basket, woven placemat, woven shawls, woven stole, woven toys

November 28, 2011 · 3:50 pm

Free pattern for Courier Bag woven on the Martha Stewart loom

My new design for a Courier Bag woven on the Martha Stewart loom has gone live on the Lion Brand website 😀

Courier bag woven on the Lion Brand Martha Stewart loom designed by Noreen Crone-Findlay (c)

Here is the free pattern for the Courier Bag woven on the Martha Stewart loom:

[ Lion Brand ‘Yarn Play’ about Noreen Crone-Findlay’s new design for the Martha Stewart loom ]

I am in love with these looms!

Last weekend, I made a video tutorial, showing how to weave a triangle of any size on the Martha Stewart Loom:

You don’t need it for this bag, but it’s VERY handy for other designs! 🙂

And, happily, I have more designs for these great little looms in the works!

🙂
Happy Weaving!
🙂 Noreen

7 Comments

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

Tagged as bag, Courier bag pattern, free pattern, hand woven, Lion Brand, Martha Stewart Looms, small loom weaving, weaving pattern, woven Courier Bag

November 22, 2011 · 9:58 am

Monster dear and snuggly bunny on the Lily Speed-O-Weave loom

I am a dyed in the wool doll maker. No matter what loom or fiber arts tool I am working with, it doesn’t take long for me to wonder how I could use it to make a doll.

So, it’s no surprise, that as I was designing projects for my new book on the vintage Lily Speed-O-Weave loom, (that’s a link to my website to see more) I had to come up with some fun dolls and stuffies.

Lily-Speed-O-Weave-monster-designed by Noreen Crone-Findlay (coppyright)

Monster Dear was inspired by a book that my daughter loved when she was a very little girl.

It was about a monster who was afraid of the dark. She loved him, so of course, I had to make her one.

This is a new version of ‘Monster Dear’. I think he’ll chase away bad dreams!

And, a ball of squishy soft yarn inspired me to make the snuggly Bunny dolly:

Lily-Speed-O-Weave-Snuggle-Bunny-designed by Noreen Crone-Findlay (coppyright)

I’ve always loved rabbits and bunnies, so I’ve designed and made countless versions of them over the years.

These two fuzzy friends delight me. Ah, the joys of yarn- it’s endless!!!!

1 Comment

Filed under doll & dolls & dollmaking & doll making, gifts & easy to make gifts & presents, Loom & looms & small loom weaving

Tagged as dollmaking, dolls, Lily Speed-O-Weave loom, soft toys, stuffies, toy making, toys

November 21, 2011 · 7:40 pm

Fanciful freeform stole with Lily Speed-O-Weave motifs, crochet, spool knitting & inkle bands

I am just so happy, as I have been working really hard for the last 9 months on a book that has taken years to create. AND, today, I released it!

It’s: The Lily Speed-O-Weave Loom Book: Fab New How To’s, Designs & Projects For a Vintage Classic Loom (click on the title for the link to my etsy shop)

It’s full of how to techniques, including nifty things that I figured out, like how to weave half hexagons and triangles on the hexagon loom, so you can make awesome stuff. (like baskets and coats and vests and bags and and and)

Lily Speed-o-weave freeform stole by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

One of my fave inspiration pieces in the book is a Freeform stole that I made using hexagons from the Lily Speed-O-Weave loom, as well as crocheted motifs (lots of fairies, flowers, hearts and butterflies), spool knitting, inkle band weaving, potholder loom motifs, and tatting, all connected by crocheted chain stitches.

I wanted to inspire people to think outside the box when they are playing with small loom weaving, and to feel brave about combining it with crochet, tatting, spool knitting and, of course, their Lily Speed-O-Weave loom motifs.

Lily Speed-o-weave freeform stole by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

I couldn’t resist putting in the pic of our greyhound. As soon as I laid the stole down to take pics, he was on it.

He was sure it was for him!

LOL

This stole drapes beautifully and is wonderfully comfortable to wear. Hope it inspires you to play with your yarn in new ways!

😀

15 Comments

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

Tagged as crocheted stole, freeform, freeform weaving, Lily Speed-O-Weave loom, spool knitting, tatting, wearable art

May 21, 2011 · 12:02 pm

Small loom weaving in springtime

All the looms in my studio have been full of happy warps.

As well as working oh so hard on a couple of new books (one on potholder loom weaving and one on Lily Speed-O-Weave looms) as well as designing for magazines, I have been weaving up a storm.

Here’s a little of what’s going on:

I am working on a new freeform weaving jacket that is all in creams, whites and naturals. This is the first sleeve.

There are several yards of the jacket fabric on ‘Patient Zillah’, my ‘paper doll’ manequin- the jacket fabric is the widest, plain cream, highly textured layer under amost a hundred yards of narrow strips of fabric. I wove the jacket fabric on a rigid heddle loom.

I am also working on a tunic or shirt for me and am going to be piecing strips of narrow fabric together for it.

The narrower lengths of fabric were woven on my Structo loom.

I am madly in love with small loom weaving, and dearly love my old vintage looms.

I have had to do some fixing up to make it work, but it’s been pure delight to get it fully functional again.

I put really really long warps on them and have had a delightful time playing with clasped wefts as well as different patterns.

I love the freeform philosophy of weaving- it’s all about feeling free to play and express your creativity in any way that ignites your imagination.

So, when I was learning the ins and outs and ups and downs of the Structo looms, I felt quite free to change my flight plan whenever I got bored with a pattern or became interested in a new one. It’s all about the learning process and I love that.

My shirt/tunic will be a record of some very playful weaving.

I am hoping that he will let me break loose and weave him a much ‘jazzier’ vest to go over the serene shirt!!!

I wanted to do a beautiful, artsy photo of the miles of fabric, draped over the branches of the apple tree that is right outside the studio window. It’s heavenly – stuffed full of glorious blossoms, and oh so beautiful!

BUT!

The mosquitoes are so vicious and the clouds of them are SO intense, that I am barely able to go outside, let alone be draping miles of fabric in the tree! so, you’ll have to use your imagination, and just envision all kinds of lovely fabric strips hanging in this tree:

Would you like to see a little of what I have been up to with my potholder looms in the last year, as I work on the new book?

This is the ‘Gossamer Wings Woven Butterfly Shawl’ to weave on the Potholder loom.

I love this shawl so much that I decided to release it as a stand alone pattern.

You can read all about it, and order the pattern, if you’d like, 🙂 at:

http://www.crone-findlay.com/Crone-FindlayCreationsPotholderLoomWeaving.html

I decided to take a little break and finish the book on weaving on the Lily Speed-O-Weave loom.

I’ve been working on this book, on and off for several years, and finally, after a whole bunch of people have sent me notes, asking for it, I decided: Okay… Just do it!

Of course, I totally under-estimated how long it would take to do it, as I have been re-writing, re-photographing, photo-shopping, then re-doing it all over and over… you know how it goes in the editing and polishing… and besides, I got all inspired and excited and came up with a whole bunch of new projects.

One of the things that struck me this week, is that I really needed to put in at least one project that shows a traditional pattern on the Lily Speed-O-Weave. I have been so busy with coming up with innovative ways of working with the looms, that I forgot that there will be people who want some of the ‘classic’ stuff, too.

So, here’s for the fans of the ‘classics’…. the standard flower pattern…. although, I present it in a way that is a heck of a lot easier to understand than some of the old old booklets.

So, there you have it! A little of what’s been going on in my studio!

Happy springtime and happy yarntime!

And, as always, big hugs all round 🙂

15 Comments

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

Tagged as hand weaving, handwoven, handwoven clothing, Lily Speed-O-Weave loom, Noreen Crone-Findlay, potholder loom, small loom weaving, Structo loom

February 27, 2011 · 4:04 pm

Another woven Gypsy Jacket done

I decided it was time to finish weaving the pieces for the new Saori style Gypsy jacket and get stitching them together.

So… I pulled the plug out and got to work.

Which pleased Ms Kitty enormously.

I like to do most of the stitching by hand, but do re-enforce the back neck edge with machine stitching, as it takes the lion’s share of the weight of the jacket.

After 2 days of stitching away on the jacket, I thought… oh oh… what if I don’t like the jacket…. or what if it doesn’t fit?

I assumed that since the first woven jacket fits just fine, that this one would, too…. and then had the ‘yikes’ about it….

It fits the furgrandkid beautifully, with a little room to spare…

At first I thought that the new jacket was a little shorter than I wanted it to be…. but, my husband disagrees…. he thinks it’s just the right length.