New inkle loom

On By CarynIn Craft

I made a new inkle loom that can make longer bands. The design is based on a picture from an Estonian band weaving book that I saw on a blog post by Durham Weaver. I used poplar 1×2 boards and 3/4” dowels, predrilled wood pipe, carriage bolt and knob, small screws, 1/8” birch plywood which I laser cut for the side, a 3/4” Forstner bit to drill the holes, gimlet to make a starting hole, coping saw to cut the channel, and sand paper. The toughest part was cutting the channel for the tension rod, my coping saw skills are rusty, and sawing along the grain is difficult.

Photo description: channel cut in a 1×2” board to accommodate a carriage bolt holding a drilled dowel

I laser cut the removable side panel first, then missed my angles during assembly by 1 degree, so had to recut the panel. To get everything to dry in the right position, I glued in the dowels, then wiggled them into place in the side panel.

Photo description: side panel friction fit onto the glued-in dowels to hold them in place while they dried, dragonfly hole shapes added for decoration
Photo description: assembled inkle loom with scrap cotton yarn tracing the warp path

Next step is to apply a finish coat to protect the wood from finger oils.

Twined card: coconut husk

On By CarynIn Craft

I saw coconuts for sale at the grocery store, with the husk and fibers still attached and had to buy some to experiment. I pulled off and processed the husk, separating the coir fiber from the peat, the began to twine. This is unpleasant fiber to work with. It is rough and short, but it is strong.

Photo description: laser cut flat wooden spool with twine make from coconut husk fibers

I see why the coconut coir fiber is used for thick mats to scrape off shoes, and heavy duty brushes. There are actually many interesting uses for coconut husk, the rest of mine will be used as mulch.

Twined card: flax

On By CarynIn Craft

I am putting together a display to showcase a number of different twined fibers. I decided to make the twine holders 3×5 with large print so that they could be read from a distance, and used my laser cutter to cut them from 1/8” plywood. Each card is finished with Howard’s butcher block conditioner before I start twining.

First up is long line flax.

Photo description: twined flax on a 3×5 flat wood “spool” with the word “flax” fill engraved on the bottom, a hole at the top for hanging, and two start and end holes to securely attach the twine to the card

I love long line flax, the ideal product that comes from flax processing. It is easy to twine and very strong, but still soft. I left a tail on the twined example so that people can see what the fiber looks like before it is twined.

Flax has been grown and harvested for thousands of years to produce linen cloth. The fabric softens with washing, and its breathability is superior in hot environments. Long line flax is sold in stricks, a bundle of fiber twisted, then twisted back on itself to form a stable spiral. Tow is shorter lengths of flax left over from the long line processing, and can be carded before being spun. I find touching a damp sponge before twining helps me grip the fibers better. Spinners will keep a small bowl of water at hand to smooth their spinning. Flax needs less twist than cotton or wool when spinning and can be spun extremely fine, using just a few fibers.

Eve Schaub is currently doing a project to grow a dress in her backyard, and is growing and processing flax. She is doing a great job showing the process, bringing in experts to teach aspects of the processing, and doing so in an entertaining way. It is well worth following her journey.

Leather strap ends

On By CarynIn Craft

I wanted to use my double-sided sampler strap to replace the generic strap that came with my iPad case. I used the laser cutter to make leather loops with preset holes to fit the existing hardware.

Photo description: laser cut leather loop on a plastic strap holder

I cut the ends of the woven band and secured the loose threads with glue. Using a glue stick was surprisingly effective.

Photo description: cut ends of a tablet woven band on wax paper secured with glue from a glue stick

I used waxed nylon cord and two needles to saddle stitch the ends to the band.

Photo description: sewing in progress
Photo description: finished band with hand sewn leather end loops attached to commercial plastic buckles

The band works well and is much more satisfying than the bland ivory band.

Throwback Thursday: crocheted doll clothes

On By CarynIn Craft, throwback

In September 2018 I was experimenting with crocheted doll clothes specifically for the “made to move” series because I thought the articulation in the doll’s limbs was cool. I went about the shaping of the pieces as with an amigurumi project: tight single crochet with increases and decreases for shaping.

Photo description: strapless blue ombre doll dress crocheted with size 5 pearlized cotton on a “made to move” Barbie doll
Photo description: experimental crochet pieces made from fingering weight metallic yarn, gold boots, purple jump suit shorts, pink jacket on a “made to move” Barbie doll

I started crocheting on a trip, and finished waiting in the car-rider line, which is why both photos were taken in the car.

Here is another photo of a different crocheted dress but the same doll from 2016.

Photo description: “Made to Move” brunette Barbie in a crocheted dress using double crochet and shells with variegated yarn, doll posed as if reading a book

I do think the ability to pose these dolls is fun.