I decided to use only 6 lines of the pattern because , even though it isn't difficult to work on, it still requires a lot of concentration. There will be 6 x 2 lines in the center and then maybe 3 lines on either edge joined together with some kind of diamond/lattice.
In the first photo, I've shown the full 6 lines done. The second photo shows the other part that is partially done. The third photo shows how intricate the pattern is and why I don't want to do it completely. The fourth photo is the pattern book (Annie's Needlework "Learn Swedish Weaving & Huck Embroidery") and the pattern I'm using"Waterfall Gift Bag" can be seen on the bottom right side of the cover.
This particular project will be sold at a craft show in October and I can't put a ridiculous amount of work into it when I still have more items to complete. The pattern is challenging and fun to do but has turned out to be too time consuming.
Swedish weaving is a wonderful and satisfying craft but it does take a lot of time to complete any project...time that we can't charge for when we sell the item. For years I made afghans for family and friends and never worried about how many hours, weeks, months it took to make them. It's another thing entirely when the item is to be sold. We can still enjoy making them but we have to be reasonable about how much time we want to devote.
I'll post photos of the 2 lap afghans, one recently finished and this one when both are hemmed.
Swedish weaving is addictive, fun, and good for the soul because we create things of beauty. Besides those lovely benefits, we also can start Swedish weaving clubs, blogs, Facebook pages, etc. to show our projects, get advice, and learn new techniques. These are all win/win/win benefits of the craft.
One technique I learned about recently was how to finish off the selvage edge other than machine stitching it down. Someone came up with the really bright idea of using stitch witchery. You cut the stitch witchery to size and place it under the fold..I only fold over once because I don't want too much bulk. Then press it down with your iron. So easy and so neat!
Another nice idea was in adding some of the yarn colors used in the pattern to the fringe. I've done this forever but someone came up with the idea to place them in sort of a wave instead of straight across. I love that!
There were more but I didn't write them down...note to self, write them down from now on!
I mentioned that I've been working on 2 lap afghans at the same time because one has a really intricate pattern that sort of tires me out. The second lap afghan has a more simple pattern to follow. Well, I finished the simple pattern one except for fringeing the top and bottom and now have to face the more difficult pattern. I'll post photos of both when I'm finished.
One more thought...the lap afghans would also make excellent table cloths. I've made table cloths from the full size afghans, too, but these smaller ones work just as well.
My unfinished project had become kind of a strain for me and my aged brain so I decided to put it aside for a while and go on with a simpler pattern. This is called Cascade and it's also from Annie's Needlework "Learn Swedish Weaving & Huck Embroidery"....actually featured on the front page. I was quite relieved as I started the pattern and felt so relaxed because it is a much easier pattern.
I'm going to finish the project exactly as shown although mine will be wider. The center will be all lattice/diamonds but I'll probably improvise a bit there.
My fabric is a denim blue and I've chosen something very different for the yarn. It's a variegated mainly white with short runs of blue and beige. I usually choose a variegated with all short runs of colors but this yarn appealed to me to at least give it a try. I think this pattern would be gorgeous with many color choices so I'll use it again.
Update: It turned out that I didn't like the variegated yarn because of the extremely long lengths of white and the few shorter lengths of blue and beige so I pulled it all out and began again.
I chose white yarn and bone (what I refer to as golden beige). I'd known I wanted a lot of white but chose the bone when I saw how nice the other beige looked on the denim blue fabric. This is only part of the border pattern but I think it shows nicely how well the white and bone yarns look on the denim blue. I'll post another photo when it's all finished.
