Welcome 2024 with Flowers!

Posted on by texasgabi

I can hardly think of a better way to start the new year than with a fun, creative, purposeful pin-loom project.

Let’s beat the winter blues by weaving a Flower Top for warmer days to come!

In a nutshell:

  • Sleeveless, easy-to-weave, comfortable tee, suitable for beginning weavers.
  • Finished garment size: 24″ (M-L) or 27″ (XL-XXL) wide and 27″ long.
  • Loom: Original TURTLE Loom F-fine sett for sock/fingering weight yarn.
  • Yarn: A total of 926 / 1059 yards + about 50 yds for the crocheted borders, light-weight yarn.

The pattern is available on the Bluebonnet Crafters Etsy store, click HERE.

As so often, the Flower Top pattern comes with a story:

A couple of springs ago I noticed a Berroco knitted top pattern named Fleurine, which is worked in one of my favorite summer yarns “Remix Light”. I instantly fell in love except … I wanted to weave it! The idea for the Flower Top was borne.

I also love to sample yarns, and Berroco offers small samples of their new yarns twice a year in the form of “Yarn Tasting” kits. These samples are perfect for many crafts, including pin-loom weaving. In most cases the amounts for each yarn are just enough to weave one hexagon “flower”. That’s why each flower of the sample model is woven in a different Berroco summer yarn that I gathered from past Yarn Tasting kits.

While this is the story of how the Flower Top came about, the pattern can be woven in any yarns you like or might have at hand. Make all flowers in the same yarn, or “go wild” and make each flower different, for example in precious hand-spun or go crazy with scraps.

The example is woven on the Original TURTLE Loom™ F-fine sett for sock/fingering weight yarn, but you could use the R-regular or XF-extra fine sett looms as well … or mix and match!

The pattern is provided in two sizes that can be worn by many. Shown in the photos is the smaller size. Model Josephine is very petite, and she wears the top with a good amount of ease. I’m an XL, and I wear the same top with little ease. The pattern includes the chart for a larger size and some suggestions for further adjustments, and as usual, pattern support is provided to assist with your needs.

This garment will qualify if you want to participate in the Garment Challenge or get your Weaving Buddy badge!

You can find the pattern on the Bluebonnet Crafters Etsy store, just click HERE.

Special thanks go to Gale Zucker, www.gzucker.com, on Instagram @galezucker, for her amazing ability to bring out the best of hand-crafted items in photography, and to Josephine Ankrah, Instagram @sweetjsphn, who once again convinced with her ability to perfectly model the Flower Top.

Ta-Da! The Original Jewel F – Fine Sett is Here!

Posted on by texasgabi

The first batch of Original Jewel F looms is ready, and we know that some of you have been really, really waiting for it.

Without further ado, here is the new Jewel F loom, “Original” size, which means it works well together with other “Original” TURTLEs like the hexagon and diamond shapes. “F – fine sett” for sock/fingering yarn … American weight 1 – 2 and British weight DK with a knitting stitch gauge of 24-26 work best. Slightly thicker/thinner yarns will make beautiful denser/lacier fabrics.

This wheel sampler shows just a few examples of yarns that work very well on the new Jewel F.

Here’s a closer look at the sampler yarns:

  • Inspirations Patons Kroy Socks yarn is a sturdy, squishy sock wool that comes in many solid and variegated colors.
  • Desert Garden by Dyelicious Yarn has some colors that are dyed with TURTLE looms in mind. I used Lupine for this sample.
  • Many of Berroco’s yarns are perfect for (pin-loom) weaving. I am in love with Lumi, which creates a solid fabric with a festive sheen.
  • Holst Garn Titicaca is a lace weight yarn. Two strands held together create an amazing, super-soft fabric. I found this yarn at the Yarn Barn of Kansas.
  • Another Berroco yarn, Vintage Sock, is a very pleasant to weave, sturdy and easy-care blend that comes in many colors.
  • Fine-sett TURTLEs can’t be without one of the best cotton yarns that I know of, Scheepjes Catona.

If you miss out on the first batch of Original Jewel F looms, don’t worry, there will be more. Batch 2 is in the making and will be ready before Christmas. You can signup on Etsy to be notified when we list more, or you can contact us to get onto our list. That way you will keep your space in line and we will let you when your loom is ready.

When you get your Jewel loom, a great first project is to make some tree ornaments!

The yarn I used here is Chaos Fiber Co Christmas Time, a variegated green/red fingering weight yarn that creates a plaid-like effect while weaving.

How To Make A Tree Ornament:

  • Weave two jewels on your new Original Jewel F loom (or use your Jewel R with thicker yarn).
  • Sew the shapes together along the edges, leaving an opening for stuffing.
  • To give the ornament more strength, insert a piece of cardboard or plastic canvas (you can find the cutting template here).
  • You could also bend into shape or weave a fairy light chain, which will ad a romantic lighting to your ornament. Or use any stuffing of your choice for a more 3D effect.
  • Add a hanger.
  • Embellish with anything you like: Bows, bells, garlands, or embroider a name or a date.

Ready to make, give, enjoy!

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!

Little Looms Fall 2023 Magazine

Posted on by texasgabi

Wow! The new Little Looms Fall 2023 issue has taken off to new heights. Big congrats to editor Christina Garton and her team for curating another excellent collection of small loom adventures, from rigid heddle to inkle to pin looms.

As always, each of the projects has a story, and I’d like to share some of those here.

I designed the Forest Toques with the issue’s theme in mind: “It Takes Two”. I jokingly call this project the “Toque Two”.

It’s the same hat, but depending on how you turn the hexagons when you sew them together, you get a smaller or a larger hat size.

For the model I used the Original TURTLE Loom™ R and the gorgeously beautiful and soft Noro Miyabi yarn that I discovered at a local yarn store (Farm to Needle). The same hat could also be worked on the fine sett or even the extra fine sett loom.

The story of the Phoenix Rising Shawl is about dreams coming true. Since I was a teenager I’ve wanted to express the glow of a fire in a fiber project, but I never found the right yarn for it. At the same time, I’ve for many years adored the yarns of the Hedgehog Fibres company, but many of them were a bit thin for pin-loom weaving … until Merino Aran became available. The vibrant colors for “fire” and “ashes” caught my eyes, probably because I had just shared the story of Phoenix rising from the ashes with a friend who needed some encouragement.

Sampling the yarn on multiple pin looms revealed that the Original Jewel R loom created perfect radiance, combined with “ashes” hexagons from the Original TURTLE Loom R … and the Phoenix Rising Shawl was born. Thank you, Christina, for calling it a “showstopper shawl” in the editorial!

Greta Holmstrom is occasionally test-weaving new TURTLE looms, and I think it was about two years ago when I sent her some, including a diamond or tumbling block shape. How awesome to see Greta’s Star Shawl in this Little Looms issue, combining hexagons and tumbling blocks! You can weave the shawl using the Original Diamond 2″ F and the Original TURTLE Loom F, or – if you prefer to use worsted weight yarns, use the “R- regular sett” versions of both looms.

Debbie Shelmidine was our April Travel Turtle host last year, and we mentioned then that she is a veteran pin-loom designer who has published designs in Handwoven as far back as 2008 and also in the very first Little Looms issue in 2016 before she took a design break. How precious it is to see her comeback in Little Looms Fall 2023 with the perfectly-fall Autumn Leaves Runner! Debbie wove the leaves on the Elongon™ 2″ R loom in Peaches & Cream cotton and embroidered the leaf stems … brilliantly easy and beautiful!

There is much more to the issue, of course, and you can read more about it on the Little Looms website. And if you have questions about any of the projects that you can make with TURTLE looms, please contact us any time!

PS: If you saw our ad in Little Looms Fall 2023, you’ll know that there’s still more to come … the Polka Dot Cowl.

Soon … not yet …

Diamonds are for Weaving

Posted on by texasgabi

Let’s welcome the Original Diamond, F, pin loom to the TURTLE loom collection!

The Original Diamond pin loom, F, creates a diamond or rhombus shape with a wide angle (60°) that in crafting is often referred to as “tumbling block”. The loom sides measure slightly over 2″, designed to work perfectly together with any other “Original” TURTLE looms.

Did you know, that it takes three diamonds to make a hexagon?

While jewel shapes go very well with hexagons and certain triangles … occasionally the new diamonds will come in handy to fill some gaps.

And then, designer Greta Holmstrom, who had been one of our test weavers for that loom, surprised recently with the news that one of her project designs using diamonds had been accepted to the Little Looms Fall 2023 magazine!

Congratulations, Greta, on your beautiful Star Shawl!

If you are looking for more inspiration, I started a Pinterest board “Diamond and Tumbling Block Ideas” with some suggestions on how to use tumbling blocks.

The new Original Diamond, F is now available in our Etsy store.

Please contact us if you have any questions!

FAQ

Q: Is the Original Diamond, F the 2″ diamond loom that the instructions for Greta’s shawl asks for?
A: Yes, it is. All “Original” TURTLE looms have a side-length of just slightly over 2″. The new Original Diamond, F is designed to work perfectly with all other “Original” TURTLE looms.

Q: Can I use the Original Diamond looms for any other designs that ask for a 2″ tumbling block?
A: Yes. Both, the bias weaving method and the yarn that you will use, will impact the final size of your woven diamond, enough to adjust for a good fit within your 2″ project.

Q: Is there a diamond loom for the regular sett?
A: Yes, there is an Original Diamond, R. It will start shipping by July 1st.