Hip to be Square

 

This has to be one of my favorite designs ever! When Jane Patrick from Schacht Spindle Company called to ask if I'd create a piece featuring the Zoom Loom for TNNA (The National Needle Arts) Convention, I couldn't say "no".

And then there is the yarn. I had previously worked with Classic Elite's Liberty Wool Print on my rigid heddle loom. With the long color repeats, the effects when woven are spectacular. It comes in many colorways and is completely machine washable. What's not to love about this yarn? 

I had an idea in mind  when I started weaving the squares, and it evolved from there. To really show off the woven squares, I outlined them with crochet in a solid color. Classic Elite Yarns had the perfect Liberty Wool solid to coordinate. I played around with several arrangements of the squares. There are so many possibilities. I settled on the one I liked best and stitched them together. To add another element, a rib knit border and turtleneck were added. And the results, well all I can say is, It's Hip to be Square!

 

To purchase the pattern:

 Hip to be Square Poncho

 

 

 Photos by Bliss Photography

 

Special thanks to Jane Patrick, Heather McVicker and Sandra Geonetta

A Michigan Summer of Traveling and Teaching

This summer in Michigan has been a full summer teaching weaving at yarn stores and quilt shops in Western Michigan. And the back roads aren't boring either.



Summer Storm somewhere between Newaygo and Muskegon



Scarf Class at Apple Knits & Purls in Muskegon

Beautiful scarf and a happy new weaver

Shabby Chic Table Runner Class at The New Ewe, Newaygo



I taught a version of my Fringy Cowl using Sari Silk at The Michigan Fibre Studio in Grand Rapids.

 

I traveled to Albia, Iowa to The Fiber Arts Shoppe where I taught a weekend of workshops. One of which was my "Weave A Rainbow/Color Theory for Weavers Workshop."

Warp for the Color Gamp Scarf

Weave A Rainbow Color Gamp Scarf

 

I made them work for the Chocolate they found in their packet

I stayed with my hostess, Sherri, in her beautiful country home. She gave me a tour of their natural pasture land for the deer to feed, and introduced me to their alpacas and homing pigeons.

 

 

I took a week to travel to Pittsburgh to be with my grandkids.

Last day of school and a ride in the Grandmom bus
otherwise known as the old Volvo Station Wagon.

An afternoon craft activity with my yarn thrums

Moon rising over the neighborhood my last night in Pittsburgh

And finally I traveled to Mississippi for a family reunion with my six siblings, their children and grandchildren at the campground of my childhood.

And all of this travel was just me, alone in my good old trusty Volvo station wagon. I wish Carl could have joined me, but he had family responsibilities to attend to.

In spite of my busy schedule of teaching and traveling, I was able to work in a bit of weaving for me and some local activities and time with Carl and Jujube my dog.

  

New Bonsai Vest made on my 15" Rigid Heddle Loom

Muskegon Farmer's Market. Just Amazing!

July 4th hike through the sand dunes to Lake Michigan

 Lots of morning and evening walks on the bike path

 

And so much beauty in nature

But our main reason for spending this summer in Michigan was so we could be here with my Mother-in-Law as she was in failing health and in hospice. She left us in July. We will always be grateful that we were here with the family this summer.

One of the last blooms on my Mother-in-Law's Bird of Paradise Plant

Another Summer in Michigan

If anyone's been "trying" to follow me, you'll know I haven't been keeping up with my blog. Writing is not one of my favorite things. New plan - Less words, more pictures. And pictures tell a story so much better. Now maybe I'll do it more often.

Spring Lake, Michigan. We arrived here in April. After a warm and lovely winter in Arizona, Michigan in April felt like going back in time. It rained and sleeted and snowed. All I could do was work on small loom projects as I looked out my RV window at the snow and rain.



Early April snow outside my RV window





Zoom Looming as it rains
outside

But it's spring here now with green grass, spring flowers, and bird songs. I've missed this kind of spring since living in the West.

I got here just in time to do Western Michigan's Yarn Quest. I visited 15 yarn stores in two weeks. Now I have many new fiber friends. And through those contacts I'm scheduled to teach more classes. Check my Schedule Tab to see where I will be next.

Learn to Weave and make a Scarf/Infinity Scarf
One of my beginning classes at yarn stores

For now I've rented a studio in Muskegon on Lakeshore Drive. The RV is way too small. How did I get so lucky. So much light and that view . . .

View across the street to the Marina

Looks like it will be a busy summer mixed with work and fun and enjoying the short summer season while I'm here in this beautiful part of the world. 

 

Lake Michigan with singing sand