There is Weaving and There is Weaving

Oh. Hmmm. So. Normally this blog gets about 300 hits a day. Last Monday, carrying over to Tuesday, there were over 1200 hits. News gets around, I guess, and the subject matter might have been a bit provoking.

There were also a corresponding number of comments, both on and off blog. Wonderful comments, I might add, and thanks! One of the more thoughtful responses was by Carrie Brezine, whom I first *met* through her article in this book. I am both surprised, and pleased: the response level indicates an interest in weaving, at least, for which I am grateful.

So far, many of us have agreed the guild system is flagging. Some guilds are thriving, some, not so much. Conferences are put on by these organizations, so if guilds become extinct, perhaps so will the conferences that I have so enjoyed. I think conferences can be a good teaching venue, and a way to introduce weaving and spinning to people who do not know we still do these things. The guild system alone is worth exploring: will it recover, is it in need of an overhaul, will something else replace it? Obviously, as far as communication goes, the internet, lists and web logs are accessible and working well. Perhaps this will be all that we need.

I did get quite a reaction, however, with my perhaps cavalier comment that time, space and money are yes, impediments, but not daunting.

Well, it depends. For some people they are daunting. Perhaps I need to clarify: in the weaving I prefer, very little money or space is required. Time? Yes, we need time.

Weaving seems no more expensive to me than other related fiber hobbies: yarn for a sweater can easily run over $100 and that's just one sweater. You have to spend that $100 for every batch of entertainment, um, knitting. Spinning? A spindle can be a thrifty tool, but then there's that fiber: and we all know just a little is not enough. A wheel can easily be over $300. A good sewing machine can cost $600 (or much more), and that's not counting the expensive iron, the cloth and all the presser feet one can find. These prices are comparable to small weaving equipment. Yes, all this stuff can be put away in a closet, but if you *have* the closet space, you have the room for weaving equipment.

Or I would, since my weaving these days is more of the finger manipulated kind, and tactile. I describe it as *more like knitting* since I am doing knot by knot, thread by thread, and getting my fingers involved.

My preferences perhaps contrast with what most people must think of as weaving: big floor loom, complex warping and drafting, fabric which takes lots of time to weave off, requiring focus and study (and sewing skills). I have a floor loom, yes, and all the cones of yarn I could want for a while. They take up space. But for the last several years, I have done most of my weaving on this homely upright loom:



and the side view:



an inkle loom:



not so homely. Purchased, not home made, from Schacht.

And on small cards:
.

The upright loom takes about as much space as a side chair. The inkle loom is clamped to a table, but can be easily put away if the table space is needed. The cardweaving, well, what can I say?, it takes the space of a small bag.

These can provide hours, if not a lifetime, of weaving pleasure. There is complexity here enough to satisfy the most mathematical of minds, as well as simple hours of weaving fun.

The most expensive piece of equipment above is the inkle loom, coming in at about $70 these days. The upright loom (no longer made) could be built using about $100 of materials and a few tools.

On this unlovely equipment I have woven this:



and these:



and these:



One can learn a lot about weaving on a back strap loom (which I prefer to call a hip strap loom, to indicate where the strap should actually lie), or simple frame looms, including the oft-mentioned-here pipe loom, whether it's PVC, copper or galvanized pipe.

Yes, you can buy $3000 looms that take up the floor space of a small factory (which they are). Yes, you can buy warping reels, yarn winders, swifts, bobbin winders, piles of reeds and enough books to open a small library.

Or not.

Weaving is not limited to fabric. Not everyone weaves for clothing. The weaving I most often do could be classified as beginner weaving. And it is. Very basic, very accessible, and very much weaving. Also, no less interesting, despite its beginner nature, to those who want to be mentally challenged. Cardweaving alone can be lifetime of discovery, challenging minds far greater than mine.

I did not start with a floor loom and a studio full of yarn. I started with a frame loom, then a hand made loom, then worked my way up to a studio full of equipment, worktables, a library and yarn in 30 years (not to mention some sheep, which went by the wayside because of that time issue: I'd rather weave).

I may be out of step in the craft world in general: I do what I do for the pleasure of the activity. Because of that, I find the time. When I was working and raising children, I got up early, like even 4 A.M., in order to find the time to do a little each day (this had the side benefit of not making me anxious to try to get stuff out of the way during the day: I had my *fix* already).

I am knitting lace shawls, which I may never wear and most likely will give away, because of the pleasure of the activity. I find it fun to weave knotted pile, and with it I make bags. I have about 15 so far. Obviously, I don't need more bags. But I weave more. Bands, whether cardwoven or pick-up, are fascinating and fun to weave. I have a box full. Someday they may be useful, but for the most part, it's the process.

I so appreciate this conversation, may it continue. I have had much to think about while I weave this week, thanks! I had planned to post about inspiration, and what inspires me to keep this up, but I have appreciated also more clearly defining what I like to do.