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

Zoom Loom Garments using Tahki Stacy Charles Yarns

It was just last summer that I designed the Harlequin Vest using Zoom Loom squares.  I attended The National Needle Arts Trade Show in Phoenix in January of this year wearing my vest, you can imagine my surprise when I was stopped by none other than Stacy Charles himself of Tahki Stacy Charles Yarns asking me if my vest was made using their Filatura di Crosa Tempo yarn. Well of course it was!

So he challenged me to design more garments made with the Schacht Zoom Loom using TSC yarns. There's nothing I love better than a challenge. And trying out new yarn is always a welcome treat. Before long I had four new designs ready. Currently they are all in my Etsy store available as PDF downloadable patterns and most of them are also available as a kit packaged with full color printed pattern and yarn; or a kit which also includes the Zoom Loom.

Harlequin Vest with Filatura Di Crosa Tempo Yarn

 

 Lacy Vest with Stella and Flora Yarns

 

 

  Tabbard Vest with Nina Yarn

 Spring Jacket with Portofino Yarn

Since most everything I weave ends up as something to wear. I imagine there will be more to come in the future. But in the meantime, check out these patterns and kits. They will be perfect to pack along on a summer vacation or an ideal way to while away those upcoming hot summer days sitting on the porch with a glass of ice tea and your Zoom Loom.

So Zoom away . . .

Photos by Stephanie DeFranco Photography

Squirrel Picnic and Croshades on Aliens

Once upon a time, I lived in Virginia. In my little weaving studio in the woods I had an apprentice named Jennifer. She was an art student whose creative brain never stopped. She constantly reminded me to not take life too seriously.  Fifteen plus years later and she's still making me laugh. Check out her blog, Squirrel Picnic, where she creates wild and wacky critters in crochet who have all sorts of adventures AND she gives away free patterns so you can make them too. 

This alien didn't have ears
so I had to hold them on
 

In a recent post from this summer she designed a pattern for crocheted sunglasses she calls "Croshades" to protect the eyes of poor objects d'art who never get a break from the sun. Read all about it here!

She challenged her readers to make their own croshades. I couldn't resist the challenge. I  crocheted a couple pair of my own and took them along on a recent visit to Roswell's Alien Museum.
 




                                                       
Like her Facebook Page too while you're at it!