Finger loop braiding

On By CarynIn Uncategorized

I have heard of loop braiding, where loops of yarn are placed on the finger tips and given tension, rather than gripping the cut yarn ends, but haven’t tried it before. I found a fantastic website, https://loopbraider.com, with many, many rabbit holes. I started with a simple 5-strand square braid. I wanted to do a thirty minute example, but my arms aren’t long enough. To get the braid tight, you spread your arms to 90 degrees on either side of the new braid. I tried longer lengths, but just couldn’t get the braid tight.

Photo description: five strand finger loop braids with different beat angles, 45 degrees to 90 degrees left to right

So my limiting factor on braid length in this case is my arm span rather than time. For my 5’7” arm span I can make 17.5” of cord with worsted weight cotton yarn. The cord is strong and stiff with 10% stretch.

Photo description: finished five-strand square loop braid made with variegated white and purple worsted weight cotton yarn

I have looked again through the Loop Braider website and found some references to ways to make longer lengths. I will have to try the different beater methods. The finger braiding itself was a remarkably natural movement for me.

30 min series: braided cord

On By CarynIn Craft

Braiding is common in cord making, so I did my 30 minute test with a foam disk (also called a Kumihimo disk). Here there is an added element of time wasting when dealing with the loose ends of the yarn. I initially cut lengths of cotton worsted weight yarn that I guessed would only take me 30 minutes to braid. It took 25 minutes. So I cut longer lengths and tried again. At the 30 minute mark I had a cord that was barely longer than the first cord because I had to manage the longer lengths of yarn tangling as I braided.

Photo description: foam braiding disk with a cord in process at the 30 minute mark and a finished cord that took 25 minutes, but is about the same length

There are ways to manage longer lengths of yarn, such as using bobbins or spools. Sometimes those tangle too, and there is time used to unwind more yarn when needed. Dangling yarn ends also attract cat attention, which can cause delays.

Photo description: Sophie the cat sniffing the end of a lashed yarn bundle, she came up on my lap chasing the yarn

When I reached 30 minutes and still had unused yarn, I decided to push for another 30 minutes, rather than waste the yarn. In 60 minutes I created 28 inches of braided cord. The cord is dense and stiff, but has 15% stretch (20 inches can be stretched to 23 inches.)

Photo description: seven stranded finished cord braided with a foam disk in an hour

Braided cord is a length limited method because the yarn needs to be cut prior to beginning the braid. With yarn management, though, it is possible to braid quite a long cord. I wonder if the bobbins used for bobbin lace would work for braiding? Hm. Something to experiment with.

30 min series: woven cord

On By CarynIn Craft

I have read about weaving a round cord, and I’ve been wanting to laser cut a heddle to experiment more with back strap weaving, so I combined the two with my 30 minute series.

Photo description: laser cut rigid heddle and shuttle, with yellow worsted weight yarn woven into a cord

I cut 13 lengths of yarn and threaded them through the slots and holes in the rigid heddle, then tied knots at each end of the yarn bundle. I secured one end to my foot, and the other to my belt. I loaded the shuttle with yarn and started weaving. To weave a round cord the weft thread only goes one direction, rather than back and forth for a flat piece. It took a little time to get my rhythm, but once I learned to pull the weft yarn nice and tight, the cord making went smoothly.

Photo description: yellow woven cord with knots and tassels at the ends made from worsted weight cotton yarn

In 30 minutes I made 27 inches of cord. The cord is strong and dense with 6% stretch (27” stretched to 28.5”). Unlike i-cord or lucet cord, though, this type of woven cord has a limited length because the yarn needs to be cut before weaving begins. This is the kind of cord I would want for bag handles or load bearing clothing elements. It is also possible to weave around a core, which gives more strength and body options.

Schmoo

On By CarynIn chickens, Coop
Photo description: three hens from left to right, Seashell the Faverolle, Schmoo the Faverolle, and Wing Ding the Black Star

Molting season is almost over for my three hens, and I can say that the mystery chicken’s name is Schmoo. I wasn’t sure if she was Jade or Schmoo, but Jade had a distinct molting pattern, which I did not see this season. So Schmoo, Seashell, and Wing Ding are my remaining chickens. I have to say they have done remarkably well in our month of 100 degree weather. I did have a foot bath filled with water for them, but did not add ice, and the fan in the coop went out, but I’ve had the people doors open, which gives the coop a breeze. The back door of the coop is covered in hardware cloth, which has kept the raccoons out. So my advice for new chicken keepers is to not have a coop fan, but do have adequate ventilation (but have draft free zones), and in the summer have a large shallow pan, like a large plant coaster, for a foot bath, but don’t worry about icing it. Make sure there is plenty of shade as well. My hens are roughly seven years old.

Throwback Thursday: mixed afghan

On By CarynIn Craft

My grandmother had an unfinished afghan when she passed. It looked like she missed a pattern switch and the next step would be to rip out a whole section and she just decided not to and set it aside. I took the partial project and rather than rip out any stitches, turned it into a mixed method project, using different sections of knit and crochet to tie it all together.

Photo description: artful photo of the folds of the afghan which show all the different panel textures using knit, crochet, and Tunisian crochet
Photo description: finished afghan spread out on a King-sized bed

I deliberately made the afghan long at my Mom’s request, because most blanket throws can’t be wrapped around our feet and shoulders at the same time (we are taller than average). I couldn’t find the exact same yarn and dye lot, so added in a complementary olive green yarn to make it obtain the extra length.

This was a personal family project, but there is an organization called Loose Ends that helps families with unfinished projects that their loved ones have left behind find skilled craftspeople to complete the projects so the family has a final memento. You can visit the website or follow them on social media. Grab your tissues.