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!
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
