Since Donna started this magnificent afghan, I've been saying it is the happiest one I've ever seen. The colors are outstanding and I know I'll have to make one just like it in the near future.
When she first began, she checked out all the patterns and then decided to just use the colors shown in the pattern...you know how different colors are used to define each line? It was such a smart choice because the end result is the most beautiful Swedish weaving afghan I've ever seen.
Donna used every color in the fringe but said this took so long that she wouldn't do it again. I think the effect is terrific, though.
Since our first afghans, we've all evolved to using less lattice and smaller lattice, choosing instead to combine many different border designs that work well with the main pattern. Donna went a step further, using only a lot of different border designs with no main pattern. It gives the afghan a truly unique look. Just beautiful!!
I've been working on my grandson's afghan for what seems like ages and it's still not done. Faye and Donna are still working diligently on theirs, too, and Donna is very close to the finish line. I can't wait for her to finish so I can post a picture of it. It's drop dead gorgeous. Now, every one of them is gorgeous but Donna has chosen tons of vibrant colors for her yarn and it's the happiest afghan I've ever seen...I'm very jealous I didn't think to make one like it.
I'm always saying that it doesn't matter how long it takes you to complete your project and that's the truth. With every line finished, it just becomes prettier and a joy to behold. I usually have the recipient of the one I'm working on in mind so my thoughts often go to them while I work. In this way, every afghan I make is full of love.
Both Donna's and mine should be finished within a few weeks but Faye will have to continue working on hers for a while yet. I'll post pictures as soon as I can.
In the meantime, I hope all you Swedish weavers out there are having fun with your own projects and I'd love to post pictures of them if you're kind enough to send them to me.
This is Leslie's first project and it's just beautiful. She noted that our little Swedish weaving group is also a sort of therapy group for us and that's very true. There's no way you can be angry or sad when you're sitting among a group of women friends all involved in creating their craft. We praise each other, support each other, and help each other...if that isn't positive therapy for the soul, I don't know what is.
I just finished this afghan for my friend, Joann, and the colors show here as very different from what they really are. The monk's cloth is ecru and what looks like red is actually a salmon. The turquoise is about right.
I did a lattice but changed it a bit to make it different. It's so easy to do this with Swedish weaving, both with the lattice and with the basic pattern.
One thing that disappoints me is that I couldn't have had a longer fringe. I guess we often see things we could have or should have done but they all turn out lovely in the end no matter what we do. I'm sure Joann will love her new afghan when she sees it!
This is my latest afghan that I made for my grandson, Kyle. I used light blue monks cloth with mostly variegated blue yarn. For the small diamonds I used solid white and solid turquoise blue. I used Avery Hill's "Tilting Blocks" pattern although I improvised the filler diamonds which I think turned out very interesting.
I'm still using very old Kodak digital cameras and now have to wait for delivery of batteries from China...I can't find them anywhere here. I've finished Kyle's afghan but won't give it to him until I can photograph it for the blog.
I've begun work on a Swedish weaving afghan I started about 2 years ago but put aside to work on a different one (I think the one for Tyson). I wasn't thrilled with the colors that I used and decided today to rip most of them out and insert a different color altogether. We spend so much time completing an afghan that it doesn't make sense to continue with something we don't like. I don't mind one bit the lost time because I'll be happier with it when it's done.
Many of the ladies who do Swedish weaving take a year or more to finish one and I always remind them that it doesn't matter one little bit what length of time it takes as long as you're enjoying the process. I get a lot more work done, too, when I'm by myself because the group sessions are often more about socializing than actually working. Both are good for the soul so we just enjoy ourselves involved in whichever activity we choose.
In any case, some very pretty photos will be inserted in this blog once my camera batteries arrive.
I'm just back home from wintering in Florida and this is where the most Swedish weaving gets done. My social life in Florida is just too busy to find time to do much weaving. Anyway, I'm home now and, starting Tuesday afternoon, will be spending the day Swedish weaving with Faye and Donna so I'm sure I'll get 3 or 4 afghans done throughout the summer months.
I still haven't quite finished the one I started for my grandson, Kyle, but should finish it next week and I'll post a photo of it then. My next project will be one for my American grandson, Jake. My plans are for white fabric with red and blue yarn for the design. He's 14 1/2 years old so I'll need to choose a pattern he won't be ashamed to have.
Proud to be a Swedish weaver and grateful to have found such a beautiful craft!
P.S. I had trouble posting pictures while in Florida but I'm hoping that problem is solved now.
We started our Thursday morning craft class for Swedish weaving but it's so nice that there are people there now who do other crafts as well. The first and second photo is of a crocheted flag that Marge made and it's so creative.
Photo #3 shows Candy and Sandy at work on their Swedish weaving and also Cassie's hairpin lace project to the left.
Photo #4 shows Jo, Cassie, Linda, ?, and Cathy at work. Linda is the hairpin lace expert and she's busy teaching a new lady.
Photo #5 shows Marge and Angie working on their projects. To the right is part of Sylvia's project.
The hairpin lace strips can be made into scarves or afghans and they are so beautiful that I plan on having Linda teach me next year. I'll only make a scarf or two, though, because Swedish weaving is still my favorite craft.
Because I'm mainly computer illiterate, every little change that websites or my server throws at me is devastating. It takes forever for me to figure out the new way to do what I used to do the old way. I've been having trouble trying to post pictures on the blog lately but have just rediscovered how to do it.
The first two photos are of Candy's latest Swedish weaving afghan and the third is of Jo's. Both ladies are accomplished weavers and always create beautiful afghans.
Keep watch for more to come!
