TinyTURTLE XF Suncatcher

Posted on by texasgabi

We introduced the new TinyTURTLE™ XF-extra fine sett at the inaugural Weave Together retreat, and it became quickly popular as a “weaver’s assistant” to get a first feel for how a finer weaving yarn may weave up.

Now this loom is available in our Etsy store.

I keep sampling yarns on this fun little loom and there are too many to list them all. Today I want to highlight just one: Size 10 crochet thread. “I have so much leftover crochet thread … can I weave it?” is an occasional question. Even in the past we showed ways to put crochet thread to good use like in this needle case, but the TinyTURTLE XF now expands the possibilities.

Used single-strandedly, crochet thread creates an even, light fabric. If you double the yarn, it creates a denser fabric. Combining those two is a great starting point for “filet weave”. To introduce the idea, I designed a suncatcher that uses single- and double-stranded hexagons to depict a flower. You can use multi-colored leftovers, like I did, or make it all in one color, the light-and-shadow effect will be the same.

I used single-stranded yellow crochet thread for the flower center, single-stranded variegated thread for the background, and combined the variegated with a solid blue, woven double-stranded, for the flower petals.

For the suncatcher as shown you will need:

  • TinyTURTLE XF-extra fine sett
  • 61 yards of size 10 crochet thread (about 3.2 yds/hexagon).
  • About 20 yards of size 10 crochet thread to crochet the fabric to the hoop.
  • One 10″ crafting metal hoop.

To make the suncatcher, weave:

  • 1 hexagon single-stranded, for the center of the flower.
  • 6 hexagons double-stranded, for the flower petals.
  • 12 hexagons single-stranded, for the background.

Use whip stitch and follow the chart to assemble the suncatcher fabric: Sew hexagons into rows first, then attach rows to rows. Weave in all ends. Block your project (soak in non-rinse cold water for about 20 minutes, roll in towel, dry flat).

I recorded a video to help you with mounting the fabric to the metal hoop. Here is the righthanded version, you can find the lefthanded version on our YouTube channel.

If you like the suncatcher idea, you can also make your own designs. The metal hoops are available in many sizes (make sure the diameter is divisible by 2″) and you can add/subtract rounds of TinyTURTLE hexagons to fit other sizes.

Anniversary Looms: EquiTri R and F

Posted on by texasgabi

Seven years ago today we listed our first hexagon pin loom on Etsy, and the list of new looms has grown since then. Today we’d like to add two equilateral triangle looms, the Original EquiTri R and F.

Greta Holmstrom used the fine sett EquiTri triangle loom when she designed her Lotus Mosaic Runner that is published in “Easy Weaving with Little Looms” Summer 2024. Of course you can use the Jewel loom to weave equilateral triangles (see Weaving Triangles on the Jewel Loom). However, if you need more than a few, it will go faster and is more enjoyable to use a dedicated loom.

Find the new looms in our Etsy store: Original EquiTri R and Original EquiTri F

The triangles can be used for many project ideas, either on their own or together with other “Original”-sized TURTLE looms like hexagons, diamonds, and jewels.

Are you wondering what to do with equilateral triangles? Here is a short geometry insight to inspire you:

  • One equilateral triangle makes a great gap filler to smoothen borders.
  • Two equilateral triangles make a diamond shape.
  • Three equilateral triangles make a half hexagon.
  • Four equilateral triangles make … a larger equilateral triangle.
  • Five equilateral triangles make a pretty flower shape.
  • Six equilateral triangles make a hexagon.

Now add color to the mix, and you have a great building block for a sheer endless number of projects. Find more ideas in the quilting world and on this Pinterest board.

A quick “first project” is to make a kaleidoscope table topper … It’s easy: Grab 6 colors from your yarn stash, weave 6 hexagons and 6 equilateral triangles. Sew the six triangles together into a hexagon, then surround that hexagon with the 6 hexagons.

If you are new to triangle weaving, we have prepared something special for you: We’ve added instructional videos to our YouTube channel that show triangle weaving for left- and right-handed weavers!

Enjoy the show and weave on!

Quilt Weaving 201

Posted on by texasgabi

If you own just any one pin loom, quilt-style project opportunities are endless. However, the growing number of pin-loom shapes and a better understanding of how to weave them opens the doors to even more, playful quilt designs that all seem to call “Pick me, pick me!”

This blog introduces one of those more complex designs, the “Flowers, Stars, and Hearts” table topper.

The design uses three looms: The Original TURTLE Loom™ (regular hexagon shape), the Original Jewel (jewel shape), and the Original Diamond (tumbling block shape), all in R-regular sett. Now take a closer look at what you will get … Do you see the flowers, stars, and hearts?

For this autumn version of the table topper I used Hobby Lobby “I Love This Cotton” in 336 Cinnamon Cedar (a variegated yarn resulting in red, yellow, and green jewel weavies, 2 balls), and one ball each of 18 Bruschetta, 40 Sage, and 14 Gold.

The design may look overwhelming, that’s why I put together photo-guided step-by-step instructions for weaving and assembling the table topper. The pattern will be half-off in our Etsy store this week, no coupon required.

Go get the “Flowers, Stars, and Hearts” pattern HERE.

But wait! We’re not done yet … imagine that you use the same design and start playing with different colors … you may get a classic holiday design, or radiant stars , or a kaleidoscope, or … That’s why the pattern not only includes a chart for the autumnal table topper and some more examples, but also a printable blank chart, so that you can design your own.

Happy quilt weaving!

Easy Polka Dots with Hexagons

Posted on by texasgabi

Designing with hexagons can be tricky, but it is also full of amazing surprises: This blog is about how easy it is to achieve Polka dot effects with hexagons!

Let’s start with looking at a small block of six hexagons (top left of the following graph). They are arranged in two rows, three hexagons each row. The first row has the sequence of “background, background, dot”. If you feel like dancing, you could say “skip, skip, dot”. The second row starts with a dot and has two background hexagons that follow.

Because of hexagon geometry, the dots between the rows are offset just right to make a classical Polka dot pattern.

Now you just need to repeat those “steps” within each row, and repeat those two rows, to any size you like. There you have your polka dot pattern!

To demonstrate, I made a Polka Dot Cowl in autumn colors … and did I mention that cowls are perfect medium size pin-loom projects, perfect for trying out crafting ideas … and perfect for gift giving?

The Autumn Cowl was woven on the TinyTURTLE™ Loom F-Fine sett with a yarn that is unfortunately discontinued (WEBS Camp Color Fingering, colors Audiophile and Somewhere Over the Rainbow). You can substitute any sock/fingering weight yarn or use the TinyTURTLTE™ Loom R-Regular sett with worsted weight yarns.

If you like the background plaid effect of the sample cowl, look for a yarn with “micro stripes”. Here are two examples:

Tempe Yarn’s Desert Garden is dyed with TURTLE looms in mind.

The variegated yarn on the left is Dusty Miller, on the right is Lupine. A suggestion for the dots is Desert Shades in Merlot (the “real” colors are actually more vibrant than in this photo).

Call the store for assistance at 480-557-9166 while they are updating their online shop.

In my stash I had these yarns from the Chaos Fiber Co.

The Micro-Stripe color is Birthday Party, combined with “dots” of Tonal Minis in Turquise Pop, Hot Pink, Hot Orange, and Lemon Drop. Use one or all!

The cowl measures about 21.5″ in the round and is about 9″ tall. You can easily change the size by adding/subtracting rows and repeats. The modeled cowl for example has one extra repeat, which brings it to 27″ in the round.

Here is the chart for making the cowl:

For your own Polka dot projects, and no matter which hexagons you’re using, here is a Hexagon Polka Dot Design chart for you. Print it in landscape layout for best results. If you need a larger chart, print and tape together as many copies as you need.

HexagonPolkaDotDesignChart-V10Download

I hope that you enjoy this little lesson in “Designing with Hexagons”. There’s more to explore in these articles on the Handwoven/Little Looms website.

Lastly, if you are curious (like I was) about the origins of Polka dots, here is an article that I enjoyed reading about the history of polka dot patterns.

I want to thank Gale Zucker, www.gzucker.com, on Instagram @galezucker, for her amazing ability to bring out the best of a hand-crafted item in photography, and to Josephine Ankrah, Instagram @sweetjsphn, for perfectly modeling the Polka Dot Cowl.

The TURTLEs are looking forward to seeing your Polka dot projects!

Make A Turtle!

Posted on by texasgabi

Our turtle mascot Charlene has been capturing the hearts of stuffed animal lovers of all ages, everywhere, and now we are making the pattern available so that you can make your own!

This pattern includes three sizes … the instructions are the same, just different looms are used.

Explore possibilities … thick or thin yarn … one color or many … medium head on a large turtle … make your turtle(s) unique! Use the “tummy” to embroider a name or date to make it extra special for the recipient.

Would you like to weave in company? Right now, during the month of May 2023, you can join us on Facebook or Ravelry for a Turtle Weave-Along! Find more information about that on the TexasGabi blog HERE.

View or download the pattern:

Turtle-Pattern-Final-V10Download