The idea for the stripes was inspired by Susan, who has also been experimenting with twills recently. She wove two striped scarves which I absolutely loved. Or course, my twill threading is different from hers, so the look is totally different, but I like the way it is turning out.
I am a little disappointed that the bumpy texture of the handspun is flattened out under tension, and hoping it will reveal itself once the afghan is off the loom.
The commercial yarn, which is wool, is somewhat slipperier than acrylic I've been using on the other afghans. This surprised me. The handspun is hairier / fuzzier, but fortunately isn't sticking to itself as I weave.
The zig zags were a last minute inspiration. The threading is a straight twill, 1 through 8. My treadling is 8 through 1, twice, (I started treadling on the right side. Why? I don't know!), then 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and back to 8 - 1 again. This requires minimal concentration, so as I weave I'm considering the fringe. I have an idea but will have to see how well it works.
Cathy asked if I plan to keep this afghan for myself. I assume so. My actual plan is that if I finish it in time for my next guild meeting, I will enter it in our member's show. I've never entered anything in a show before. I've thought about it, but have never taken the step. Of course, this also assumes that the final product has no glaring imperfections. Even so, this being an unjuried show, the pressure for perfection is greatly diminished.
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Next Afghan Warp - Something Different
Done!
I am a little disappointed that the bumpy texture of the handspun is flattened out under tension, and hoping it will reveal itself once the afghan is off the loom.
The commercial yarn, which is wool, is somewhat slipperier than acrylic I've been using on the other afghans. This surprised me. The handspun is hairier / fuzzier, but fortunately isn't sticking to itself as I weave.
The zig zags were a last minute inspiration. The threading is a straight twill, 1 through 8. My treadling is 8 through 1, twice, (I started treadling on the right side. Why? I don't know!), then 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and back to 8 - 1 again. This requires minimal concentration, so as I weave I'm considering the fringe. I have an idea but will have to see how well it works.
Cathy asked if I plan to keep this afghan for myself. I assume so. My actual plan is that if I finish it in time for my next guild meeting, I will enter it in our member's show. I've never entered anything in a show before. I've thought about it, but have never taken the step. Of course, this also assumes that the final product has no glaring imperfections. Even so, this being an unjuried show, the pressure for perfection is greatly diminished.
© 2007 Leigh's Fiber Journal
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Next Afghan Warp - Something Different
Done!
15 comments:
My goodness, I can't believe that you've never entered anything in a show! I hope you'll take the leap - I'm sure it will be gorgeous. (and I have NO idea how to price something like that!) T.
It is supposed to be price of materials x 3 plus your time x the hour rate you would have on your time. The last part is the tricky part. The other thing is that price for material would be at wholesale rates. But then again the cost for it being a unique piece? I would just go around weaving websites a look what people sell for.
For example take a look at this:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6883436
Leigh,
Lovely things. I have been weaving for about 6 months on a 4-harness table loom. I have been lusting after an 8-harness. I found a used Glimarka CM about 10 minutes from me. It sounds BIG- 60", and is more than what I wanted. I'm going to look at it. If it is in good shape, should I go for it?
I'd love some advice!
Thank you, Tina!
Laritza, thank you so much for the information and the link to Etsy. Very helpful!
Barbara, I wasn't looking for mine either, but like you, the opportunity presented itself. It was a hard decision for me to make, but now I absolutely love my Glimakra CM. Of course, there was a definite upward learning curve, but I can honestly say it was worth it. You're right, a 60" Glimakra is huge! But I love being able to weave wider things (I haven't stopped weaving afghans since I got it! :) It also weaves narrow projects beautifully. It's a very versitile loom. If the loom is in good shape and at a price you're willing to pay (and you have room for it), I'd say get it. Then before you do anything with it, get a copy of Joanne Hall's book, Tying Up the Countermarch Loom. That book will help you get it set up, warped, and tied up. In fact, Joanne is very helpful for any type of questions or problems. Her contact information is at their website - http://www.glimakrausa.com/
Let me know what you decide!
So pretty! I like the zigzag. Glad to see you at least occasionally weave a little something for yourself!
Leigh, I am so honored to be mentioned in your blog and to have inspired you at all! Thank you!
And I love the zig zag! I do love playing with this pattern - you've go t me thinking already!
As to cost - no clue whatsoever but cost it meaningfully.
Susan
It is looking gorgeous!
I don't think there is anything much more nerve wracking than pricing handmade items.
I don't really believe there is a formula for pricing your handmade items, but look at this webpage
http://www.ohboydenterprises.com/HowToPriceHandmadeGoods.html This one had a lot of detail in it and may be helpful, I've bookmarked it myself. Having a supportive hubby is great I know I appreciate mine and even though I just started he's already selling my one poor scarf I made as a gift. hehehe, ever the salesman.. I've seen items I know are labor intensive selling below price just to get them off the tables, but that only devalues the work and effort of a handmade one of kind piece, which is really what you do, no two are alike and you don't weave commercially so, it's really a functional art piece, IMHO. I would also consider the area you are selling in, I think if your going upscale then pricing should reflect that. Tell your hubby, he's right you can sell your items they really are beautiful.
I love the new piece, your killing me with ideas, I can't keep up, I need to quit this full time job and just weave all day. lol..
Pricing.
What a great question. I've found that trying to sell what I made in my area is almost impossible. Not that I don't like where I live or the people they just don't have the money and if they do would rather spend at a discount store. I remember being at a craft fair where some woman was complaining about the price of my $15.00 handwoven towels. I asked her if she burns candles and what she has left after spending that amount of money on them. A $15.00 candle burns up where a $15.00 towel will last for many years. She just didn't get it.
Good luck!!
Everything you make is wonderful!
I honestly don't know much about pricing handwoven items. But I do hope that you do yourself justice with the price. That is just gorgeous!!!!!
I love the twill and zigzags. I have been looking at the weaving patterns and wondering whether I can use them in knitting.
You are still tempting me with weaving......I have now found out where the class is.
It looks fantastic!
Your afghan is lovely. I really like the zig zags superimposed over the stripes. Nice effect.
Pricing is always a problem and I don't know how large your afghan will be, but since is is of natural fibers and a unique design, I'm thinking from $180 to $220. Take a look at this site. http://www.shawlsunlimited.com/types/whatsunique_0.html I sell shawls here, as do a couple of my weaving friends. Naturally, these pieces are being sold with a mark up for the web business, but she is treating us very favorably and the mark up isn't all that much. My feeling is that we need to let the public know that handweaving is something that takes skill and considerable time and we should charge accordingly.
I was happy when I copied you last time so am looking forward to copying you again. What a wonderful idea, and only one shuttle creates all that interest. I've been going through your archives for ideas as well. Thanks for indexing them so well!
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