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Sunday 13 May 2012

The Trouble With Tribbles - Peg Loom Weaving Workshop


This is my Mom's first Peg Loom Weaving


Well what a fun day!  It was my job to write the report for the day for 'Guild's Newsletter'.   I wanted to get it written because if I leave it for too long I will forget as my life gets a bit hectic.  I thought I would post it here as it explains the day.  I am not 100% happy with it, but as many things in my life it will just have to do.  Once I start tweaking I could tweak all day!  I much prefer 'Random Bloggy Writings'.  My Alpaca 'Tribble' weaving is in the Washing Machine right now, on a hand wash cycle, I hope it has survived.  Here it is as a 'work in progress'

Peg Loom Weaving Workshop 12.5.12
With Jaqueline Jeynes of Pen Coed Textiles
Jaqueline travelled from her home near Cardigan Bay to deliver her ‘Peg Loom Weaving’ workshop in Birmingham.  She brought with her a range of Peg Looms, fibres, fabrics, yarns and a wealth of experience and knowledge to impart.  Jacqueline has been a tutor with the Open College of Arts for twenty years, providing support for students on the ‘Understanding Art and Textiles Design’ courses. 
Very quickly members were given practical instruction in how to warp a peg loom and begin to weave.  Jacqueline provided many ideas and examples as to the versatility of these simple, portable looms.   Pen Coed textiles provide a variety of looms by mail order and all of these are made to a high standard of finish by Jacqueline’s husband.  The ‘Combi’ looms are rather ingenious and have three sizes of pegs all on the same solid base.  This is excellent value for money in comparison to other Peg Looms available and ‘Pen Coed Textiles’ have applied for the patent on this design of loom.  Peg Looms are not a new idea but the single loom containing three sizes of pegs is an innovative and versatile design introduction to the ‘weaving market’ enabling the Peg Loom Weaver to produce a wide range of fabrics from a single loom. 
Members were weaving a wide variety of commercial yarn, hand spun yarn, novelty yarn, ribbons, rags, chiffon, fleece, fibre and ‘raw’ fleece, producing a wonderfully varied array of textiles and fabrics.  A wide range of textural and colour effects were explored by the group as a whole with some fantastic results.  Jacqueline also explained methods that could be used for adding, beads, buttons and making a feature of decorative fringes.  Shaping is also possible on the Peg Loom.
Whilst the history of Peg Loom weaving is unclear it is believed to be an old method of weaving cloth.  The main advantages of a Peg Loom are the simplicity and the portability.  The pegs can also be used for ‘Stick Weaving’, producing strong dense fabric.  Peg Loom Weaving has gained in popularity over the last twenty years and Jacqueline has a book that is currently at the printers.  I am sure many of us cannot wait to get our hands on a copy as there is a gap in the market for information and design ideas/instruction for this particular method of weaving.  Workshop participants had a relaxed, informative and creative day and I am sure individuals left with a wealth of ideas and intentions to continue ‘Peg Loom’ weaving at home.  It was most enjoyable to work with Jacqueline and as always to work alongside each other.
I  like this one using yarn, chord and rags.

This one grew very quickly and is made with hand spun yarn
This one is destine to be felted
I love the Colours and textures of this piece
I like the way this one explores colour
More experimenting with colour effects
A Cheerful 'Jubilee' inspired piece
This Piece is very Pretty
Quick update from the Washing Machine, it looks as if the 'Tribbles' have survived.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a nice day so it can go on the Washing Line to dry.  Lord knows what I can actually make with it though.  I suggested to my Other Half it would make a lovely cat blanket, we just need to get a kitten!  He gave me the silent treatment!  I think that means yes...I can get one!  

24 comments:

  1. oooooh...loomy activity! i was just turning in for the night and spotted your post.. they look quite wonderful ❤ and i am glad the tribbles are doing well :)

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    1. Just what I needed, more craft ideas... :) x

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  2. I would love to see how you use those little looms! I've never seen them like that before. I really like your greenish piece that you say is meant to be felted. And yes, the silence most certainly means you can get a kitten ;)
    ~Lacey

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    1. Ah! Your comment has just reminded me of Mina and her naughty antics...maybe a rethink on the kitten, another puppy would be good!

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  3. Yes, we all vote for you to get a kitten for that lovely handmade kitty bed! Hugs, T

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    1. Thank you Teresa, your vote means a lot! I already have about four neighbourhood cats frequent my garden for much of the day, I may as well get my own! :)

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  4. The trribbles look great! And will make a lovely cat bed!! In fact that has given me an idea for Gimli as he loves sitting on my alpaca fleece! There are some great designs there, but I do wonder what you do with the finish woven piece (apart from making cat beds!)

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    1. Claire, Gimli would love an Alpaca Blanket, my dog loves Alpaca too. Jacqueline did make the looms and the weaving seem very versatile, rugs, bags, cushions, blankets, wall hangings, scarves and she was even making shaped jacket panels. You can use all your odds and ends including raw fleece that is not up to spinning quality.

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  5. I heartily agree with the kitten, he has stated no objections! The weaving looks great.

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    1. Bit of a problem as I am allergic to cats, it didn't stop me before though! :)

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  6. That looks like great fun!

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  7. WOW how amazing. Kitty, kitty, kitty!!!

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    1. I used to have Tabby Tom Cat that I got from a rescue centre, he was called Buddy and he was lovely. He had similar body issues to myself and would thud on the fence and wobble all the way along it! I love cats but I am allergic and I can't sleep if they are out at night. At least with a dog you know where they are...with my dog she is usually not many inches away from me for much of the day!

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  8. The silence sounds like a big fat yes to me. Who could say no after you going and weaving a blanket for the kitten to make him/her feel so welcome.

    All the weaving looks fantastic.

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    1. I think in all fairness to my Other Half, I should really give him a choice....pig or kitten? Kitten or pig? :) x

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  9. Peg looms look less threatening to me than the larger treadle looms I have seen. It is very interesting to see the various samples with different fibers/materials and colors! How are they bound so that they don't unravel, Lucy? Will you show us the washed and dried mat? I tried crocheting a cat basket with some of the first yarn I spun, and Callikitty actually deigned to sleep in it from time to time. I do hope whatever creature at your home gets to sleep on your TWT creation will appreciate the honor (: <3

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    1. Ah, there is a slight technical hitch with the finished article, the washing made the Alpaca look bedraggled. I may have to give it a brush! Maybe it will be a gift to Claire's handsome cat Gimli. :)

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  10. Oooh that is some lovely weaving going on there! I may have to get me a peg loom....more looms might mean that I have to move house though! Can't wait to see what your finished piece will look like....and also to see some photo's of your new kitten ha ha :)

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    1. No worries peg looms are very portable and easy to poke away in obscure places, honest they take up no room at all, a bit like a cat! :) x

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  11. OH my lady you are pretty darn talented. Those all look wonderful and love your colors! I'm so glad that one made it threw the wash fine. Just beautiful!

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  12. I came across this posting as I am trying to use alpaca fleece on my peg loom and ran into some trouble--maybe you can help? I have a very nice bag of washed raw alpaca fleece and would like to incorporate it into my peg loom rug but the strand don't stay put when twisted together which just results in a lot of the weaving/fiber falling out when I push it down. Do you have any pointers for working with the fleece?

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    1. At the peg loom workshop we looked at using raw unspun fleece to incorporate into the weaving. I think it depends on a few factors, the fleece, the warp, the other weft materials, the thickness of the fleece/yarn and the purpose of the completed weaving. I am no expert at all. I was not sure from your question, do you spin. The alpaca I used for the above project was a handspun yarn. It was fun to spin, I just chucked it through, unwashed and rough. I did wash the single ply yarn to set the twist. The weaving did not shed or molt. I would be really interested to hear or see how you get on. I love working with alpaca and on a peg loom. If I can be of any more help, let me know. ;)

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    2. Thank you for your reply! I don't spin and don't have the tools to but had read that you could use the fleece raw and unspun. I have tried twisting strands together by hand but that doesn't seem to work but maybe I can wrap it in a little more tightly. It stayed a little better when supported on both sides with wool roving but I'm not sure how it will hold up to wear and tear

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    3. I think maybe raw fleece could be added to add texture, I can't imagine unspun it would hold up to any wear and tear. A great solution would be to learn to spin. ;)

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