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!

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!