traveling with small looms | Tottie Talks Crafts Blog

Tag Archives: traveling with small looms

September 8, 2012 · 1:29 pm

Have loom and guitar will travel

When a weaver and a musician go on holidays, what do they take with them?

Their dogs, of course!

But of course, they never leave home without a guitar

Or, a loom:

I was weaviing away on this pouch while we were away:

So, I took advantage of the gorgeous scenery to photograph the step by step photos of weaving the pouch:

Mini has her own wee suitcase which she snuggles very happily into, along with all the bits and pieces needed for the weaving.

(It began life as a case for a drill that lives in a toolbox, so Jim gave the un-used case to me and I love it for Ms Mini!)

When we are on holidays, I tend to photograph the smaller things, like lichens:

and flowers (ahem… the wind was crazy, so trying to get the flower to sit still was a lost cause)

and small looms on beautiful stony beaches:

and the patterns in tree roots:

and shadows:

and gorgeous driftwood:

and the patterns in nature:

and small dogs having great adventures … (Yikes! Wolves ATE a dog here? eegads!)

Speaking of wild animals, last year when we went to Jasper (in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada), we saw 13 bears!

This year, we only saw one:

But we did see one VERY thrilling wild animal- the first time I have ever seen a wild mountain goat, in fact:

It was rainy, windy and cold for the entire time we were there, which made perfect weather for weaving and making music 😀

But then, as far as I am concerned, ANY weather is perfect for weaving and making music 🙂

I hope that you had a lovely summer and that the sun shone upon you, and music swirled around you and that the yarn was sweet in your hands!

Furoshiki wrap technique to carry a small loom

I rarely leave home without a small loom.

If I am the passenger in a car, I weave.

If I have to wait for an appointment, I weave.

When in an airport or flying…. I weave.

If I am sitting, listening to my husband’s Jazz trio/quartette/quintette, I weave.

I like to be able to to port along my small looms in tote bags, backpacks or baskets.

But…. the warp strands and bobbins and needles can get seriously disarranged by being jostled in transit.

I have been mulling over the best way of protecting them while they are being trundled about…. and then it struck me….

By using the Japanese technique of creating perfect wraps and carriers from a scarf or cloth! :

FUROSHIKI (link to a ton of ways of doing furoshiki wraps)

3 Mirrix looms wrapped with Furoshiki techniques
copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

I always carry headscarves in my purse or bag, to use as instant tote bags.

The other day, it struck me that the perfect way to protect my beloved small looms when I am slipping them into bags or baskets for their travels, is to ‘Furoshiki’ them.

It works BRILLIANTLY!

I usually use square headscarves- and any size will work… smaller scarves are great for small looms or bundles of books and tools; larger scarves for larger bundles of looms and stuff.

But, you don’t have to use scarves: This is a great upcycling opportunity!

You can use squares of fabric cut from old shirts or skirts or dresses 🙂

You can also use cloth squares to gift wrap presies. Do check that link at the top of the page. Impressive 🙂

Here’s a video, showing how to use Furoshiki wrapping techniques to make an instant, customized carrier for your small loom:

The models in the video are my 3 smallest Mirrix looms. I call them the Three Sisters.

I love, love LOVE my Three Little Sisters! I have renamed them: The Mini is ‘Molly Whuppie’ (you can read her story in my book, Soul Mate Dolls), ‘Vasilisa’ (heroine of a wonderful Russian fairytale) is the name of the 8 inch loom, and the 12 inch is now known as ‘Jane’, after my beloved Jane Austen.

I do believe they quite like their travel wraps! 🙂

Here’s the video that I made to show how I wrap my looms :