First, I started with one tapestry weaving class working on this tiny loom, using purchased tapestry yarn. Not a lot of fun but it helped me to come to the decision that yes, I do want to pursue Navajo style weaving. (Navajo-style because I will never be able to do what those Two Grey Hills Navajo ladies do on those warps! My designs will obviously be much, much simpler.)
Next I re-warped this small loom and did the piece below in Navajo style, using my own handspun yarn. Now I'm hooked.The gray (fuzzier) yarn on top and bottom, and the white in the middle, was churro spun on a navajo spindle; the dark brown was Brown Sheep basic wool spun on a wheel, and pretty thin or a project like this.
The next project, in full blown Navajo style, will be a throw pillow cover, done on a roughy 24"w x 28"h loom that Bill is soon to construct; we gathered supplies at the Depot this morning, as I finally decided (while in-store) which style loom to build from two different tabletop plans. (Weaving Southwest's student loom won; only because Weaving in Beauty's is pretty big.) It will be a smaller loom for a 16" square. If I decide I like the process -- then of course I'll have to upgrade to a big floor-mount one. But one thing at a time. I've been self teaching, reading intently from about 4 books on the process. I am learning so much from each one that combined I hope to have the basics covered. And what I don't know, I'll make up. Below is the simpler loom that will be built.I wonder if I'll ever be able to walk on one. I should, that's what they're for, but .... I doubt it.
This weekend is the Intermountain Weavers Conference up at the college, featuring a big room full of vendors where I'm hoping to find the comb for beating down the layers and some battens. Oh boy.... can't wait!
(I'm currently sourcing out the proper weaving uniform, as seen below: yeah, hot, I know...)
