Weaving A New Skill
About five years ago I took a Rigid Heddle Loom class with Leslie Ann Bestor here at WEBS. I was in a bit of a knitting slump, had a very stressful full-time job very far from my house, and I wanted to latch onto a new craft to help me handle all the plates spinning in the air around me. I loved that class, but frankly, I didn’t love the weaving all that much. I really adored my finished scarf, which took all of 2 hours to make from warping to tying off the ends. But something about the action of the shuttle going back and forth was jarring, not as hypnotic as I wanted it to be.
However — although I didn’t like doing it all that much, I’m fascinated by woven cloth and all that goes into making it. Since WEBS started as a weaver’s shop, and we’re celebrating our 40th anniversary, it’s only right to pay homage to the weavers and their tools. Have you seen Barbara Elkins’ draft for The Escher Shawl?
This gorgeous shadow-patterned wrap looks exactly like an Escher print, made with our Valley Yarns 8/2 Tencel, which reflects light beautifully and drapes just right. This project is most easily woven using a computer assisted loom and weaving software, such as Weavepoint, neither of which may not have even existed 40 years ago.
Our “Loom Room” is right off our cash register counter, and it’s a treasure trove of looms and accessories. From the mighty Toika Eeva loom for a cool $9,000, to the cute Zoom Loom that can be held with one hand, a loom might be all you need to try a new skill, open up a new pathway in your brain, or craft a garment or accessory in a totally new and unfamiliar way. Take this, our 40th anniversary year, to challenge yourself. What new skill would you like to try?
- 2019 Capstone Graduation Wrap-Up - June 27, 2019
- Class of 2018 Capstone Graduation - June 26, 2018
- WEBS Expert Knitter Certification Capstone Graduation 2017 - July 10, 2017
