As homeschoolers, some of our best projects are the ones that we do as a family. Handwork is no exception!
For the third year, we have made a woven table runner together. We use it on our dinner table, for nature tables and other displays in the home. Here's how it goes:
1. Spin fiber into yarn on one of our spinning wheels.
2. Dye the fiber with plants and natural materials at the annual Griffin Dyeworks Dye & Fiber Retreat in Castaic, CA.
3. Warp up the Ashford Knitter's Loom with a crochet cotton.
4. Wind our yarns onto stick weaving shuttles, singing: "Up and down, up and down, we are making figure eights. Up and down, up and down, we are loading shuttles."
5. Weave the weft (yarns on shuttles) into the warp. We take turns and do a little bit each day.
6. Trim the ends, tie knots for fringe, and we are done!
2008 Table Runner
2009 Table Runner
2010 Table Runner
Click here to see books and supplies for weaving, dyeing and other handwork projects!
8 comments:
How wonderful, what memories the weaving of each year will hold!
You know your colors make me so happy :)
I love your new table runner, it is so very beautiful, just like the people making it.
I absolutely love that your family does this each year. I remember seeing one of them at your place during a workshop. I couldn't help but think how truly special it is that much like life...you're family is woven together with each person doing something to contribute to something that can be enjoyed by all. Oh the metaphor of it all :)
Gorgeous runner! Love the soft pastels for 2010 one! How you shall always treasure these family heirlooms :D
Always love to visit your blog, Jennifer!
Hugs,
Jen
This is so cool. (And your runners are gorgeous!). I've been wanting to make cardboard looms and weave with my boys...I'm newly inspired!
Oh, this is lovely and inspiring! We might have to pull our loom out of the attic and try to remember how it works. :)
What a wonderful family project! I love it! :-D
The table runner is just so beautiful. This will be a family treasure for sure. :)
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