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.