3 + 1 More Table Runners

 

The +1 in this case is the first one and it's not perfect.  I didn't notice at first that there was a discoloration in the center of the cloth but, as I started weaving in the pattern, I continued anyway thinking it might not show very much.  It does and I really wasted my time bothering with it.  I'm selling it on Marketplace at a much reduced cost and pointing out the flaw, of course.

The second piece was fun and easy to do...looks much more intricate than it is so I can't wait to use this pattern again.  The pattern is "Heavenly Hearts" by Christine Allan and I used Caron's Simply Soft yarn in melon and sunshine and Bernat yarn in rouge.  I happen to love these colors together and use them often.

The third piece is probably the last Christmas one I'll do this year.  It's "Flashy Flames" by Christine Allan and something I learned from this pattern was a completely different take on doing the little strip of a border.  I prefer to put a border on everything I make and it's fun to play around with different ideas but I've never thought of doing one quite this way.  I hope my photo shows it okay.

The 4th photo shows my own pattern (no name) and there's a reason for this.  I did the first row of an actual pattern and had such a hard time seeing and figuring out the second row on the dark fabric that I just made up my own pattern as I went along.  I think it turned out pretty nice.  The fabric is the dark grey/black end run from Ikea and the yarn is "I Love This Yarn" in a variegated pink/purple/green called wild carnation.  I absolutely love using this yarn...got it at Holly Hobby in the States but haven't seen it here in Canada.

I only sell my pieces at a senior center Christmas bazaar here at home and there won't be one this year but that doesn't stop me from weaving.  Doing Swedish weaving and watching the beauty of it grow with each row gives me pleasure so I'll keep on weaving.

  

Yarns With Glitter Thread

 

I know I've posted my experience with glitter thread yarns before but it never hurts to have a reminder.  I really like using Caron's Simply Soft Party but I have to weave differently with it than I do with yarns without the glitter thread. 

I discovered a while back that glitter yarn will run through the floats easier if I knot the ends and pull through the floats with the knot right against the needle.  This really matters because every time you have to untangle your glitter yarn, you take the chance of breaking that glitter thread.  The few times I broke the glitter thread, I had to pull out the whole row and redo it because I won't sell an item with it broken.  This is time consuming and puts you in a bad mood.  LOL!

The table runner shown above is a project I'm working on right now and I learned something from it, too.  That particular row takes 4 widths of yarn and so far I've been lucky enough to only break the glitter thread at the very end where I could cut it off...but I still have to weave the corresponding row.  I decided that, if the glitter thread breaks in the next row, I'll pull out both rows and change the pattern.  I won't ever use a pattern again that requires more than 2 1/2-3 lengths of yarn when I'm using glitter yarn.  The longer the piece of yarn, the more likely you are to end up breaking the glitter thread.

A lot of us use glitter yarn for our Christmas patterns so I thought this was a good opportunity to let you all know how I use it.  I'd love to hear from anyone who would like to share their ideas on the blog.

A Few Thoughts

I've been Swedish weaving for around 20 years but would never consider myself an expert.  For one thing, I don't know how to do lettering and will have to watch it done before I can do it myself.

Swedish weaving is one of those crafts that looks difficult until you try it...best have someone there to teach you on your first project.  I've always told my students that they will know all they need to know after they've completed about 3 rows.  From then on, you pick up new abilities every time you do Swedish weaving, either by figuring it out yourself, carefully reading direction, or joining a group of other weavers always happy to help you out.

My habit is to complete 3 projects (no more afghans for me anymore, though) and then do the final machine stitching before placing them for sale, giving them away, or keeping them for myself.  This got me into a bit of trouble a while back when I accidently attributed the pattern to the wrong designer but I've since developed a better way of keeping track.

I stick to making table runners and doilies now because I've outfitted my whole family and friends with Swedish weaving afghans and they're almost impossible to sell because of the price.  Unfortunately, hand crafts are often not treasured because buyers have no idea how much time and work goes into making them.

You don't see much Swedish weaving in Canada because it is horribly expensive to buy supplies.  I was lucky enough to buy all my fabric in the States when I wintered in Florida.  The fabric, especially is still pretty expensive but much less so in the States even with the devalued Canadian dollar.

Because of Covid, I can't sell my goods at the Senior Center bazaar this year so I've started listing them on "Marketplace" so that people in my area can come to my home and purchase directly.  It doesn't give me much exposure like the bazaar did but that's okay.  I truly enjoy my craft whether it sells or not.

Well, I've almost completed the recent 2 items now and will start my 3rd in a day or so.  I surely do love Swedish weaving.

Two Versions of a Pattern

 

This is "Lacey" by Christine Allan and I loved it enough to do it on back to back table runners.  Both fabrics are white monk's cloth and, on runner #2 I used Caron's Simply Soft in bone.  It looks to my eye as a golden beige and I use it often, either alone or to complement other colors.  I love my bold colors but I also love the look of one color yarn for the whole pattern.

Runner #1 shows the same pattern but I decided to do some shading, something I'm not particularly good at but admire it on other people's work.  I used 3 shades of grey in the pattern but saw right away that my second choice of color was too much like the center.  I persevered anyway and I still like it a lot.  The next time I try shading I'll be more careful with my color choices, though.

I also used less of the pattern on runner #2 and that's okay.  It's good for us to pick and choose.

Just a note:  I use Christine Allan's patterns a lot but there are thousands of great patterns out there.  The "Candlelight" pattern came from Monk's Cloth Lady and I've had great luck with the patterns she sells, too.    

My Real Happy Table Runner

 

You would think that after all the years I've been doing Swedish weaving that I'd make sure of my measurements before starting a project but no.  I become too complacent because I work with pieces I've already cut, prepared, and stored away waiting for me to pick them up and start working.  They are all very close in size with the exception of the odd run fabric from Ikea.  I cut those smaller but that's quite apparent when I start working on them.

Anyway, I worked my butt off on the last "happy" runner, putting in much more work and hours than I do for the pieces I sell.  That one was going to be for me!  I didn't pre-measure because I'm sometimes an idiot.  When I finished it, it did seem kind of larger than usual but that didn't bother me until I laid it on the t.v. stand and it was way, way too wide.  Well, darn!

No problem.  I listed it on Marketplace and it sold immediately for a few dollars more than I sell my regular sized table runners.  Some lady got a real bargain but that's okay.  She was thrilled and I was flattered.

Now I still wanted a "happy" table runner for me so I started another one but with a different pattern and only slightly different colored yarns.  The photo above is of the finished product and I love it!

I used a pattern "Candlelight" by Sandra's Stitches which is actually meant to be a Xmas runner but it looks just lovely as an every day one.  The monk's cloth is white and I used a variety of bright and colorful acrylic yarns, mostly Caron's Simply Soft.  I won't bother listing the colors because it doesn't matter which ones you choose if you want to make a "happy" table runner or afghan.  Just use the colors that please your eyes.

I followed the pattern pretty closely but the border is my version.  As usual, I like to tweak the patterns a bit so they feel like my own.

My "Happy" Table Runner

 

These pictures don't even come close to showing how bright and colorful this table runner is but this is the best I can get.  The pattern (somewhat altered) is called "Gentle Winds" and the designer is Sandra's Stitches.  The actual pattern is shown done on black or navy fabric but that's too hard on my old eyes.  To be honest, it would look best on the dark fabric.  I used quite a few different colors of yarn so it doesn't really matter what colors you choose as long as they co-ordinate well together.

Now for my mistake.  The center design should have consisted of loops all the way across but I decided to only run straight lines inbetween the ovals.  It would have looked much better if I'd followed the pattern exactly.

I didn't have enough room to use the original border so I improvised and I do like that part.

This isn't a particularly difficult pattern but it is time consuming.  I will definitely use it again but next time I'll follow the pattern religiously.

Copying Patterns

I saved a few patterns on Facebook to hopefully be able to follow myself but I'm feeling a little guilty.  Is it wrong to look at a simple pattern and have the expertise to copy it?  I can't make up my mind how this could be wrong when we copy all kinds of things.  I used to sew and would often change the pattern a bit to look like an article of clothing I'd seen in the store.  We see photos of gardens and plant our own to look the same.  It's kind of confusing because I'm very aware that Swedish weaving pattern designers (and all designers, I guess) create for profit.

I've finally decided that I will copy the patterns and use them for my own projects but not display them on the Swedish weaving sites or the blog.  I'd like some of the readers to tell me what they think about copying patterns! 

Update:  I managed to figure out a difficult pattern I had copied and am pleased with the look of it.  Of course, I've added my own borders to make it unique but I have to admit I didn't get the same satisfaction in the process.  I happen to have a very strong guilt complex about copying the pattern and don't think it's worth my while to work that way.  I just bought  some patterns from Monk's Cloth Lady and I know I'll enjoy using them.  The cost (usually around $8 U.S.) is nothing when you think how many times you can re-use the patterns. 

More Swedish Weaving Table Runners

I just finished these 2 and the white one is a gift for a friend.  The yarns used on it were scrap unlabeled pieces I kept because the runners don't use much yarn.  The colors are gold and brown, 2 colors I rarely use because I don't like brown, but they look great on this table runner.  The pattern is called "Country Trails" and it's in the booklet Learn To Make Monk's Cloth Afghans.  I altered it a bit because of space but it's a lovely pattern and very easy to follow.  The border was just something I made up and I think it goes well with the overall pattern.

With the burgundy one I used part of Christine Allan's pattern "Fiery Furrows".  This is a wonderfully detailed pattern that made it easy to choose only part of for my runner.  The yarn is Caron's Simply Soft Party in snow sparkle.  I like to mix and match and alter existing patterns when I'm weaving but the original pattern has to be a good one to start off.

This Covid problem we're having keeps me home more than usual and I'm so happy I have Swedish weaving to fall back on when I don't feel like doing anything else.  I've done many crafts in my lifetime but Swedish weaving is honestly one of the most enjoyable.

Swedish Weaving Table Runner on Sage Green

I love these colors together but they don't sell well.  Regardless, if they don't sell, I can gift them.

This is sage green monk's cloth and the pattern is Christine Allan's "Fall Melody".  I only used the border of the pattern, though.  The yarn is Caron's Simply Soft in Pumpkin and Sunshine.  Even if you know the project you're working on probably won't sell, it's still a joy to the eye when it's something you like personally.

I use a lot of Christine Allan's patterns because they appeal to me but I also have many others I use over and over also.  It's fun for me to re-use a pattern and give it a new twist which makes it unique.  I have created a few patterns of my own but I simply don't have the talent to create anything intricate the way Christine does.

Well, on to the next one!

2 Variations of Same Pattern

Forgive the wrinkles..I didn't think they were so obvious until I took the pictures.  These are two table runners using Christine Allan's pattern, "River Rocks".  I used only part of the pattern on each of the runners, but more on one of them.  

The navy monk's cloth was done with Caron's Simply Soft Party yarn in Silver Sparkle.  I have this yarn in quite a few colors and love to use it for Christmas runners because of the metallic thread that runs through it.

The beige runner is done in Caron's Simply Soft Party yarn in Spring Sparkle.

These yarns tend to unravel unless you knot each end of them before weaving.  I put my needle right up against the knot as I'm pulling it through the fabric and have little to no problem with it sliding through easily.

As much as I love the look of any weaving done on dark fabric, this was very difficult for my eyes and that's why I limited the amount of work done on the navy piece.

Pink Table Runner

I love this pattern.  It looks difficult but it isn't all...I'd even suggest it to my new students.  The fabric is a lovely pink monk's cloth (doesn't show well in the photo) and I used "I Love This Yarn" in sweet serenade.  You might have noticed I've used this yarn a few times lately and I do love it but I'm ready to move on to something else now.

The pattern is Christine Allan's "Fall Melody" and I did tweak it a bit like I usually do with patterns.  Not much, though, because it's lovely just as it is.

I've mentioned that I usually work on 3-4 table runners before doing the final sewing on the fringe but this is a present for a new baby girl in the family so I got it done quickly.

I sell my table runners at one venue only in November and that's at the senior center in my hometown.  We really don't know if we'll still be self quarantining in the fall and that would mean I'm going to build up a lot of stock but I really don't care.  My enjoyment comes from doing the craft and, if some pieces sell, that's a bonus for me.  We'll just have to wait and see what happens month to month and hope for a vaccine to be available soon.

Scrap Pieces

Crafters are not wasteful people.  Everything we use to create our favorite craft gives us ideas about how we might use the scraps left over.  It especially breaks my heart to dispose of scraps of monk' cloth so I've done a few things with them, depending on size.  I've used them for toilet tank runners and for plant or ornament doilies but I'm sure there are tons of other uses I haven't thought about.

My dear friend who passed away last summer left me some potato colored monk's cloth which is not my favorite color but I'd never throw it away.  It might be some of the last I work on but I did make a couple of doilies out of them while on corona virus quarantine.  Thank heavens I didn't have the virus but had to self quarantine when I got home from Florida in March.

I used some unloved yarn that I could cut small, pretty sections from and just did a simple border pattern.  Sometimes it's quite pleasant to pick up a scrap of monk's cloth to work on after spending days on a more demanding project.  

I happen to live in a mainly senior apartment building and we have a bench at the rear door where we can leave clothing, books, etc. for anyone to have for free.  This is where I've put craft items I no longer need and they disappear immediately so I know I've made someone's day a brighter one.

Lilac Table Runner With Beads

This is my first attempt with beads and I'm not sure I like what I've done...it isn't what I had in mind so I'll try something different next time.

I used a lovely lilac monk's cloth for Christine Allan's pattern "Spring Fling" and "I Love This Yarn" in sweet serenade...I like this yarn color a lot.

I'd wanted to try putting beads on the ends but discovered that the beads I had in mind weren't in my craft room any more.  I'd given them away in one of my purges last year.  The beads I used had the teensy tiny holes that would only accommodate fine wire or plastic thread so I had to use a fabric glue to apply them to the yarn.  I had planned to use beads I could insert the yarn through and knot on the bottom so this doesn't look anything like I'd envisioned.  I'm also a little nervous about how well they'll hold up in the wash so I'll have to warn whoever buys this runner.

One good thing is that I pulled out all the beads and supplies I had and will now get rid of some and store the rest in hopefully one case instead of 4 or 5.  I'll also have to buy some more beads with larger holes.  Maybe I'd better save one of the empty cases.  LOL!

Lots of Beige

The first table runner is called "Wheat Fields" and comes from the booklet, "Learn To Make Monk's Cloth Afghans".  I used the "I Love This Yarn" in ivory with an intertwined gold thread on beige monk's cloth.    I like tone on tone table runners because they just have an elegant look for me.

I'm sorry but I don't know the name of the pattern on the second one but I did use "I Love This Yarn" in wild carnation. You can't really tell by the photo but the yarn is 4 different colors twisted into one strand and makes a really nice effect.  I really do love this particular one. 

Just a note:  The reason why I don't know the pattern name is because I usually make 3-4 table runners before doing the final hemming/fringe and occasionally I neglect to make note of the pattern before moving on to the next project.

"I Love This Yarn"

I didn't realize until I selected the photos that I'd taken pictures of 2 different colored yarns but both are the same, just different colors.  I wanted to show how interesting this yarn is...4 different colors wound together to make one strand.  I love the look of this in a Swedish weaving pattern.  It's called "I Love This Yarn" and I found it at Hobby Lobby in Kissimmee, Florida.  Whenever I find something different like this I buy it.  I bought 4 different shades and there is one I don't like because it has yards of one shade before another shade turns up.  The one I don't like is called "Brights".  I did use it on the following table runner but I'm not pleased with it.

Rude Awakening

I've been writing this blog and posting photos of Swedish weaving for a few years.  It has all been to inform others of the lovely patterns and projects available to us.  I always credit the designer of any pattern I use but a couple of years ago I made the mistake of crediting the wrong person...honest mistake!  I spoke to the lady today who was the actual designer of that particular pattern and was so horribly verbally abused when I apologized for my mistake that I had to hang up on her.  Needless to say, I won't ever buy or use her patterns again.

I won't mention the name of the person but it wasn't Christine Allan whose patterns I adore and use often and will continue to use.

Anyway, the lady I spoke to said that I wasn't allowed to post any photos of my table runners if they showed her patterns because that was an infringement of her copy rights.  I had no idea!  I always thought that my work was my work and I'd paid for the pattern so why shouldn't I be allowed to show photos of it?  

Just a note:  No-one has the right to abuse you verbally.  I'm an old lady and my time is too precious to argue with unreasonable people and I sure as heck won't take abuse of any kind.  I made a mistake, I apologized, and I removed the photo.

Home and Weaving

When I returned from Florida last week to my home in Canada, I had to self quarantine for 14 days.  It'll be a breeze, I thought!  Nope!  I never used to get bored but I have been bored a lot this past week, eating more and sitting a lot.  I am very grateful for my lovely craft of Swedish weaving, though...I can create beauty to keep my world sane.

I found a lovely and different yarn at Hobby Lobby in Kissimmee, Florida.  It's called "I Love This Yarn" and is a variegated but not the usual way.  The yarn consists of about 5 different colors twisted together and the effect on the project is fascinating.  It's also a very soft yarn and nice to work with.  I've finished one table runner except for the fringe and am working on another one.  I'll post photos when they're completed.

Someone posted a cute comment on Facebook saying that crafters who have been gathering and hoarding fabric and yarn are now justified.  Isn't that the truth??  We've always planned for future projects and darned if the future hasn't arrived when we least expected it!

Here is a photo of the yarn in the sleeve and also a close-up of the yarn itelf.  It looks rather thick in the photo but it isn't, it's a normal weight for Swedish weaving.  There are also other color choices available in this yarn.

Some of you might already know about this product but I was very pleased to find a yarn I hadn't seen or used before.  

A Keeper

I really do find Swedish weaving a very beautiful craft and it's often difficult for me to give up a project I've worked on.  Sometimes it's impossible and that's how I feel about the table runner above so I'm keeping it for myself.

I used white monk's cloth and one of Caron's Simply Soft yarns in a variegated blue/green (sorry, I misplaced the label so I can't tell you the name of the color).  I had to search far and wide to find the co-ordinating solid green but finally found it at Joann's Fabrics.  It's also Caron's Simply Soft yarn in limelight.  The pattern is "Playful Prisms" by Christine Allan.  The pattern was gifted to me by my friend, Donna, who passed away in July so it was a bit emotional for me handling it.

The pattern is so beautiful but quite easy to follow.  The more work I did, the more I loved it until I realized I had to keep it.  I will use this lovely pattern again soon!

I Haven't Been Idle

These table runners and doilies were projects I worked on back home but only just finished the fringe here in Florida.  It took me a while because I was very sick with pneumonia shortly after arriving in Florida but I'm improving every day and getting back to my much loved hobby of Swedish weaving.

The white table runner with design done in blue is my own pattern.  I could never be disciplined enough to just sit down and design a pattern on paper before using it so my method is to just start weaving and make up the pattern as I go.  I often start with an existing pattern and recreate it, too.

The doilies were just scraps of monk's cloth that I couldn't bring myself to just throw away.

I'm not teaching Swedish weaving this year at my Florida park because my stamina is pitiful.  A few new ladies have already approached me wanting to learn so I will accept a couple of students here in the trailer...just not too many so we're crowded.

I sold my own trailer last year and am now renting a gorgeous new one but this will be my last 3 month stint in Florida...I keep getting sick and don't want to be away from home too long.  A month or two, at the most, will be my choice and they'll be spent either at my daughter's house in Tampa or her beach house on the Atlantic side.  I'm very lucky to have alternate choices like this.

Anyway, I'm back to Swedish weaving!