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! 

Lynn's Start

Lynn is just starting her afghan...white monk's cloth with turquoise yarn and a variegated turquoise yarn.  It will look beautiful when she's done.

Dee's Afghan in Progress

There's still a long way to go but I'm getting there.  I'd like to have it done before I leave Florida but, if not, I can give it to Dee when we meet at the casino back home this summer.

I love the fresh look of the pumpkin and golden beige on the white fabric, too.  Dee wanted something to go with browns and this will do nicely.

I'm adapting an existing pattern for my needs and wants with this afghan so the finished project will be one of a kind with lots of love woven into it.

White/Grey on White Table Runner

I just love the look of white on white Swedish weaving but I discovered with this project that it looks much better if the pattern is a full and busy one because it shows up better.  The pattern I used here is not full or busy so the white Caron's  Simply Soft Party yarn with a pretty silver thread hardly showed up at all.  I decided to outline the pattern with Simply Soft Part yarn in grey.  It's still difficult to see in the photo but it really is pretty and made a world of difference.

And now on to another project.

Swedish Weaving Lap Afghan For Dee

This is a lap afghan I'm working on for my friend, Dee.  Since I like to alter existing patterns to suit my purpose, I started out with "Cascade", one of only 2 patterns i brought to Florida with me.

As you can see, my alterations, being made up as I go along, are turning out just fine.  This isn't always the case but it's working this time.  I especially love playing around with the diamonds used as filler between the pattern.

The fourth row you see on my work is the center and I haven't yet decided to use the beige or a dark green so I'm waiting to reach that spot in the afghan once again so I can try out the dark green.  I don't want to pull out the beige right now in case it's time and yarn wasted.  I will continue to use the beige for the diamonds.

I'm using Caron Simply Soft yarn in bone, pumpkin, and possibly dark sage...I might not use the sage.  I like to use at least 3 colors in an afghan but I like the way the 2...bone and pumpkin...look right now.  Dee wanted something to go with the brown in her room and I really don't like brown or even working with it.  That said, I've seen some really beautiful Swedish weaving afghans made where the weaver used brown.

I'm also weaving on white monk's cloth and could not have used the bone yarn if I'd chosen the ecru fabric.  It would have disappeared into the cloth.

I'm very much enjoying this pattern I've concocted and am now weaving love into the afghan.

Note:  I've decided to go with just the 2 colors...bone and pumpkin.  I tried inserting some green again and it just didn't look right.