Like a Chat With a Friend

Posted on by texasgabi

A few weeks ago I received an email from Long Thread Media co-founder Anne Merrow with an invitation to participate in her podcast.

For eleven seasons, Long Thread Media has been “telling the stories of cloth, thread, and their makers”, and this time Anne had chosen me to tell my story about the TURTLE looms.

I humbly and excitedly agreed.

The recording session felt like catching up with a good friend that I had not seen for a long time, Anne is a fantastic moderator. I hope that you will enjoy that experience when you listen.

The podcast is now available on the Long Thread Media website and you can also listen to it through any podcast aggregator (such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon).

If you are curious to see some of the customer projects that have impressed me, as mentioned during the podcast, you can see a selection in these posts. There are many more and I hope to find the time to post more customer projects going forward.

Lastly, here is an example for what I mention in the podcast about designing looms, where I occasionally move away from “plain math” and make looms more comfortable to work with and improve weaving results:

Several of our looms have a slightly widened opening that will make it easier to guide the weaving tool, and it will also compensate just a little bit for the typical, slightly tighter weave on the last rows (when you take the piece off the loom, the weaving bounces into a more perfect shape).

I hope that you will enjoy listening, but I’d like to encourage you to not stop with this podcast: I have listened to previous episodes when I needed some “downtime with inspiration”, which means I want some time away from the world, but with a little bit more than just relaxing background music. It has always been a delight to learn about other people in the fiber world, what they do and how they do it … interesting methods, projects, experiences. Grab your pin loom and a beverage, then relax and explore more.

Happy listening and weaving!

Photo credits: Podcast title graphics from @longthreadmedia, used with permission.

Let’s Weave Some Half Hexagons!

Posted on by texasgabi

We published “Six Ways to Make Half Hexagons” a few years ago to show crafters how to weave half hexagons on their TURTLE hexagon pin looms. This is a good solution for straightening edgings on some projects, but fellow pin-loom weavers told us that they would like to have a dedicated and convenient half hexagon loom when a project asks for more than just a few half hexagons.

Welcome the Original Trapezoid looms in R-regular and F-fine sett, a shape that is most commonly used for half-hexagons. Use these looms on their own or together with any other “Original”-sized TURTLE loom.

Original Trapezoid, R-regular sett
Original Trapezoid, F-fine sett

Many quilting patterns use trapezoid half hexagons, either on their own or combined with other shapes. Find inspiration at our Pinterest board “Trapezoids … Half Hexagons”! I have only sampled a few ideas so far … take a look:

  • Bordered hexagons. Use on their own as coaster or put multi-colored units together to make a blanket.
  • Pinwheel or whirligig. Start with six trapezoids in the center, then fill in the border with more trapezoids. Use as table topper or put more units together for a blanket.
  • Opposite hexagons or hourglass. Put two halves together along the small bottom sides. Use for table runners, pillow cases, blankets.
  • The “classic” half hexagon quilt pattern … any or many colors, sometimes patchwork effect or with one solid color opposing several colors.
  • “Classic” half hexagon quilt pattern, using the half hexagons in a slanted direction.
  • “Braided” half hexagons. A fun way to make strips that can be used on their own or put together to make larger items like blankets.

If you have been thinking of making the Lemon Drop Kitchen Towel from Little Looms Summer 2023, you may want to think again and consider. As a Long Thread Media Little Looms or All Access subscriber, you have instant access to the digital pattern in the Little Looms Library. You can also find a print copy of this issue in our Etsy store.

Pin-loom weaving trapezoids opens the doors to even more applications, be it 3D shapes or an intricate shaping of accessories and garments as shown in the new Rhinebeck Headscarf.

To get you started on exploring trapezoids, here is a small project that you can try out on your new loom: For this Christmas Alpaca ornament I used two half hexagons to stage a landscape for an alpaca sew-on patch. Super-easy, and you “could” make a bunch of them for the upcoming holiday season:

Make a Christmas Alpaca Ornament

  • I used dishcloth cotton (3.4 yds each for ‘sky’ and ‘pasture’ ) on the new Original Trapezoid R. You can of course use the Original Trapezoid F and thinner yarn as well, but remember to adjust the amount of yarn needed. Weave one half hexagon in light blue for the sky and one in green for the pasture.
  • Weave one hexagon (6 yds in color of your choice) on the Original TURTLE Loom™, R, as backing. Optionally you can embroider the year or some initials on the back (I prefer to embroider while the hexagon is still on the loom; use the photo for guidance.)
  • Sew the two half hexagons together to make a full hexagon. Sew on an alpaca patch or embroider your own design onto the landscape.
  • Sew the two hexagons together (right sides facing out; use whip stitch)
  • The cotton is stiff enough that it doesn’t need any stuffing or support. If you use other yarns, you may need to slightly stuff the ornament like a hexie puff or you can cut out a hexagon from cardboard or plastic canvas.
  • Add a hanger of your choice.

I didn’t realize how addictive making things with trapezoid shapes can be, and I know that only time is the limit to exploring this new realm. My advice to you:

Enter the world of trapezoid weaving at your own risk … awesome fun awaits!

Happy Summer … Winter … Fall!

Posted on by texasgabi

Depending on where on this planet you live, this is the first day of summer or winter. Going by crafting seasons, however, it is the first day of fall! Today we welcome the Easy Weaving with Little Looms Fall 2024 issue!

It may sound like a broken record, but editor Christina Garton continues to outperform herself with every issue.

The Fall ’24 issue features seven awesome pin-loom projects from decoration to accessory.
Special mention deserves Greta Holmstrom’s Jaunty Angora Tam, an artfully tailored and embroidery-decorated tam that was woven on the newly patented Original Jewel R, the Original Diamond F, the Elongon 2″ R, and the Original EquiTri F (you can mix-and-match regular and fine sett as needed, but these are the looms that Greta used with her handspun for best fit).

I feel grateful for the opportunity to contribute the Lotus Flower Basketts to this issue. It is an easy to weave project using the now patented Original Jewel F and the Original TURTLE F looms.

The yarn, Asaginu from Noro, is an interesting blend of paper and linen, which gives the fabric just enough stiffness to let the basket stand up on its own. Exploring such a yarn – weaving or not – should be on everybody’s list!

Unfortunately, since I designed the Lotus basket over a year ago, the Noro Asaginu yarn has been discontinued. The yarn is still available in stores, and here are a few resourced that may help you to secure what you are looking for. I’m listing companies that I have personally ordered from with good experience. The list is not complete by any means! You may also check with your Noro-carrying Local Yarn Store who might carry Asaginu. I have used Little Knits, Wool&Co., and Hill Country Weavers, who as of this writing still had Asaginu in stock. I’m also including the “shop finder” of the distributor Knitting Fever. I suggest that you contact the retailers for availability.

Don’t miss out … enjoy exploring the new Little Looms Fall ’24 issue, projects, and features, and all!

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!