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!

Celebrate with Us!

Posted on by texasgabi

Today the United States Patent Office is issuing our second patent and we want to invite you to celebrate with us.

The weaving method for the Jewel looms is now patented as “CONTINUOUS STRAND WEAVING PENTAGON PIN LOOMS AND METHODS OF USE”, U.S. Patent No. 11,946,174.

The information has not yet made it to the Google patent search engine, but you can view the patent information at the United States Patent and Trademark Office USPTO … enter 11946174, click “Search”, then scroll down for the patent info (I will update this section when a direct link is available).

Since it is rather difficult to invite you all for cake …

here is A RAFFLE FOR ONE JEWEL LOOM instead. The winner will receive an Original Jewel Loom in R-regular or F-fine sett (winner’s choice). The giveaway is open to all, and it is simple to participate: Taking a break from filing patents (haha!), what should I/Gabi do more of? Should I make more/different looms, design more projects, organize activities like a weave-alongs, write pin-loom weaving related books? Tell me what you think!

The raffle is now closed. Congratulations to Megan McHugh for winning a Jewel Loom Kit!

We will ask Mr. Random to select a winner and make the announcement on Friday here on this blog.

Weave Together 2024

Posted on by texasgabi

The TURTLEs are counting the days … “we” will be going to Loveland, Colorado, to be part of Handwoven’s inaugural Weave Together retreat later this month. Preparations are in full gear …

There will be a TURTLE booth at the Marketplace. I’m so glad that Deborah Bagley agreed to be my partner and help with keeping the TURTLEs in check! I will also be teaching two classes at the event … it will be busy …

I’m sharing this with you here on the blog for two reasons …

If you are anywhere near Loveland, CO, on February 25th, we’d love to see you!

On Sunday, from 4–6 pm, fiber artists are invited to enjoy free access to shopping in the marketplace at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, Colorado. Sponsor Yarn Barn of Kansas (oh, the yarns!!! See examples in the picture above) and the TURTLEs will be there. Yes, you will have pre-launch access to the new TinyTURTLE XF-extra fine sett and the “All American” Original TURTLE Looms (in R, F, and XF) that will become available to all in March. Deborah and I would love you stop by and weave a little bit!

Planning vacation mode for the Bluebonnet Crafters online store

While we’re traveling, the Bluebonnet Crafters online store will be on vacation mode (February 21st to March 2nd, 2024). There won’t be any listings visible on Etsy during that time, but you can always see all our looms on the Loom Catalog page. I will be checking messages as time allows. I hope that you will find this “early warning” useful with your order planning.

The Weave Together retreat is sold out, but if you’d like to see what it is all about or get on the waitlist, please visit the Weave Together website.

We can hardly wait for this experience,
and maybe, just maybe, get to meet some of you!