Yarn and Fabric Hoarder

I started preparing my spare bedroom (where I keep the majority of my craft supplies) for the new shelving I'm getting.  It will look so much neater and better organized than before but I now have to face the reality that I probably have way, way too much Swedish weaving supplies than I'll ever need.  I don't think it's possible for me to part with any of it and that sounds very much like a hoarder.

I'm a psychology nut and watch the show "Hoarders" because I love to analyze these people.  I see how upset they get when even the tiniest part of their hoard is taken from them.  I can sympathize.  

I've come to the conclusion that I can never buy either fabric or yarn again, not only because I don't need any, but because I'm determined to have a nice, neat, sensible stash of supplies for my favorite craft.  I won't give up what I already have, though.

Crafters are a breed apart.  It doesn't matter what your craft happens to be, you will get all silly and happy when you are surrounded by new and beautiful supplies.  There is a better than even chance you won't be able to resist buying some.

If I was younger, I'd probably continue buying fabric and yarn because it gives me pleasure to do so.  But, at 77, someone is going to inherit a whole lot of what I have because I can't possibly use it all up.  And, so, my buying days are over.  Now I'll get my enjoyment from organizing my stash and creating what I can.

Shelley's Christmas Table Runner Started

Shelley had told me she wanted a red on red table runner for Christmas but I had used the last of my red monk's cloth.  When my friend, Marion, offered to sell me a huge lot of monk's cloth at the price she'd paid a few years ago, I was thrilled to find a piece of red fabric in the lot.  I have so much monk's cloth in many colors so I really don't want to pay today's price for a bolt of red but I might have to do that.

Shelley has a huge diningroom table so I'll make this runner a little wider than I usually do...close to 18" maybe.  I usually use remnants to make table runners so mine are never uniform sizes but I've never made one that is 18" wide.  I'll have Shelley measure her table width before making my final decision.

I mentioned before that the Christmas table runners I took to the craft show in November sold better than the every day ones so I'm going to concentrate on Christmas designs for the next few months.  The very first table runner sold at that craft show was the only one I'd done with red yarn on red fabric.  Using the same color for yarn and fabric makes an elegant item.

Well, it's a long time before Christmas rolls around again but here in southern Ontario there is still snow on the ground.  What better way to spend your day than doing Swedish weaving! 

"Cascade" Swedish Weaving Table Runner

Of course I altered this pattern to suit myself but it started out much like "Cascade"...sorry, can't find the booklet this came in right now.

It is 16" x 46" and the monk's cloth is a peachy/salmon color.  I used Bernat Satin yarn in a variegated "Rose Garden".  I love the look of this yarn and I love working with it!

Another story here...when I initially did the weaving I planned to do only what you see on the border but, when I got home, I decided it could also use the 2 narrow rows also.

One of my favorite colors of monk's cloth is this one but I have to say that it's not a good seller, at least not for me.  I don't worry about things like that, though, because I give away what I don't sell.  

I've now completed all the table runners I started in Florida and will get moving with some Christmas themed ones.  Most of the yarn I brought home with me is sparkly.  

"Opal" Swedish Weaving Table Runner

This table runner is 13" x 48" and the pattern (much adjusted) is "opal" by Christine Allan.  The fabric is a lilac monk's cloth and I used Caron's Simply Soft Party yarn for the pattern.  When it was finished I thought it was a touch too bland so I added Red Heart variegated "Monet".

I think it looks better in person than in the photos!  I love to alter the patterns I work with because it gives the project a personal, unique look.

"Ripple" Swedish Weaving Table Runner

I've posted quite a few table runners lately but they were all worked on in Florida and then fringed here at home.  I didn't take my sewing machine with me this year and the park sewing machine has tension problems.

This one is 13 1/2" wide x 46" long and the monk's cloth is a rusty pink.  I believe there is a name for this particular color but I got it as a remnant from a friend.  I used Simply Soft yarn in bone for the pattern...I personally call this color a golden beige because it has a gold tone to it.

There is always a story to my creations and this is no different.  I wasn't crazy ab out the color of the fabric but wanted something to work on.  I'd taken very little yarn to Florida with me and didn't want to buy more (I ended buying LOTS more) so I did the pattern in what I had available.

I'd recently bought Christine Allan's "Winter Patterns" booklet and wanted to try something new so I chose the "Ripples" pattern but altered to suit myself.  

The more I worked on the weaving, the more I really liked the project.  Maybe it's because you just can't make anything ugly with Swedish weaving...it's all lovely. 

Precious Gem Table Runner

This is a table runner where I used the Precious Gem pattern from the tried and true Diamond booklet.  It's sad that this booklet is now out of print but used ones can still be found on Ebay.

Again, the monk's cloth looks white in my photo but it is ecru.  The yarn is Red Heart variegated "Monet".  I've used the pattern and yarn more times than I can remember because they are both lovely.  I played around a bit with the fringe as I usually do.

Cobblestone Way Table Runner

This is a new pattern for me...Christine Allen's "Cobblestone Way".  It's sold as a pattern for pillow tops but I could see how easy it would be to adapt it for a table runner.

The monk's cloth looks white in my photo but it is ecru and the yarn is a Red Heart variegated in fall colors.  Sorry, but I've got the yarn wrapper somewhere in the stuff I brought back from Florida on Sunday but I haven't sorted everything out yet.

I love this pattern and will definitely use it for other projects soon.