"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.

Just a Note

I started working on a new table runner and chose to use the ecru fabric and variegated yarn I already had instead of starting fresh, especially with the yarn.  I'm leaving for home in 2 weeks and I've got enough yarn at home to fill a store so it didn't make sense to me to buy more.  Mistake.

The first row didn't look very good because there was a section of the yarn that was very close to the ecru color.  I also wasn't thrilled with the pattern but I carried on working it for 3 rows until I couldn't stand it any more.  I tore out the 3 rows and will take more care about the yarn i choose to replace it with.

My point is that, even if you've been Swedish weaving as long as I have, you will still make mistakes in one way or another.  Knowing when to cut your losses and reweave or remove is very important.  

I knew the finished project even as it stood would look okay but it wasn't bringing me joy.  I've gotten spoiled with all the beautiful pieces I've made that I want to feel that joy and pleasure every time I weave now.  Yes, realizing when it's not working for you is a good thing!  

Not So Ugly Table Runner

I made a big mistake by not bringing enough fabric and yarn with me to Florida this winter.  I'd have really been stuck if my friend, Marion, hadn't sold me a pile of her monk's cloth.

I'm used to keeping my hands busy so, when I finished Dee's lap afghan, I pulled out a piece of Marion's fabric which happened to be sort of a dull dusty rose...not too pretty...and decided to make a table runner out of it.  The only yarn I had that was a suitable color was the bone I'd used on Dee's afghan.  I felt as though I might have to give this little ugly duckling away when it was done.

Well, as I worked up the pattern, it just looked prettier and prettier until I loved it when it was finished...even considered keeping it for myself.  I incorporated the bone yarn a little differently in the fringe and I love that, too. 

I don't have my own sewing machine here this year (another mistake) so I'll wait until I get home in April to do the hemming.  I'll post photos when that's done.

I've always said that there has never been an ugly piece of Swedish weaving but this ugly duckling has turned out to be a gem.

Dee's Lap Afghan Finished!

I absolutely love this afghan!  I started out with the "Cascade" pattern but altered it to create a one-of-a kind.  Then I saw on Facebook that someone had thought to do the fringe just a bit different and I loved the look of that...so I did my own version.  

I used white monk's cloth with Simply Soft yarn in pumpkin and bone.  Because I used only the 2 colors, I had to cut the afghan a bit short at the end but no-one will notice if we don't tell them.  LOL!

I'm sick as a dog today with a terrible cough that sounds like bronchitis...I hope it isn't.  My friend, Lynn, took her sewing machine over to the clubhouse so I could hem the afghan so I dragged myself over, keeping my distance from every other living soul, and finished the hems.  I'm glad it's done but I really enjoyed working on it.  Dee is a wonderful friend who does so much for everyone else and this is my little gift to her.

Now to bed!