Violet Rose

What They’re Weaving Now

2010-03-05T13:24:00.002-07:00

Roman's Scarf

Xavier's Scarf

Desmond's Scarf

Last night my husband Barry and I watched a documentary, “The Little Red Truck” www.thelittleredtruck.com which chronicled a children’s outreach theatre organization, the Missoula Children’s Theatre www.mctinc.org based in Missoula, Montana. This has nothing to do with weaving, but something one of the founders, Jim Carson, said in the video paralleled what I feel about teaching weaving to the boys at Mountview. That is, it’s not about theatre (or weaving), but about the one kid that gains more confidence in themselves from his/her involvement in the program. This certainly echoes my feelings exactly, as well as the reward I feel as I see them create successful projects, improve their technique, help each other, and treat each other with mutual respect. I suppose it’s not unusual that I feel that I gain as much from them as they do from me. I thought I'd share some of their current projects with you. Aren't they making super progress?

Plan now: Colorado Weavers Day

2010-02-24T15:53:00.002-07:00

It's not too early to start planning to attend Colorado Weaver's Day: May 15, 2010. If you are a fiber enthusiast, you'll love this special day spent with fellow fiberholics.
Colorado Weavers Day is sponsored by the Handweavers Guild of Boulder with special sponsorship of the University of Colorado Natural History Musuem--which makes our conference on campus possible. For details visit: www.handweaversofboulder.org

The Schacht Report: a whole lot of stuff goin’ on

2010-02-10T15:54:00.004-07:00

The Flip Trap--a great way to keep your weaving tools organized.

All new models of our Baby Wolf, Mighty Wolf and Wolf Pup looms will have our quick-release back beam feature.

The New Wolf Pup LT sports lamms and treadles.

Dear Readers,
I keep wanting to find the time to communicate how excited we are that the world is starting to embrace weaving. We’re seeing such interest and excitement—and we can’t help but be infused with enthusiasm.

We started the year off at TNNA where we saw more and more interest from knitting shops—especially in the Cricket Rigid Heddle Loom.

Now, back in the office, we are hearing from newbies just wanting to start off, as well as those who started weaving in the 1970’s and 80’s and are now finding time to get back to weaving. Needless to say, we’re lovin’ it.

We’ve got some new products in the works: The Wolf Pup LT (lamms and treadles) features the same super Wolf Pup design with the addition of lamms and treadles to enable multiple harness tie-ups. The new Wolf Pup LT will also sport our new quick release back beam to make threading the heddles easier. (All of our Baby Wolf and Mighty Wolf Looms will soon have this feature as well.) The new Wolf Pup LT will be available in mid March. Retail price: $1185.00.

Flip Trap
We’re not sure why we didn’t think of this earlier, but our intern last summer, Angela Johnson, suggested it to us. The Flip Trap is a fabric tray that attaches to the front of the Flip Loom by sliding rods into the end holes. It’s a perfect place for storing shuttles and supplies during weaving. Recommended for use with the Trestle Stand. Available in March. 15” $26, 20” $27, 25” $28.

We’re still working through the backlog of Matchless and Ladybug Bulky Plyer Flyers. So, if you have one of those on orders, know that these are coming along.

So, in the middle of all this frenzy there’s been precious little time to weave. I do have a few projects in mind and hope to share more of my work from the loom very soon.

Starting the New Year Off With Old Lessons

2010-01-06T05:58:00.001-07:00

So, I started the year repeating my mantra that I cajole my students with: sample, sample, sample! It’s always at the time when one is most pressed, that the temptation to skip this important step is most alluring. But let me tell you it just isn’t a time saver to not sample.

In this case, I was intent on getting a publishable-quality piece ready for my Knitting Daily taping I was going to be doing at TNNA last week. I had used the yarns before in a different application and I thought they would readily full, or bloom.

I wanted to set them for this project in a single heddle. I also wanted to warp up the loom for two scarves, one to weave off as a finished piece and the other to leave on the loom as a work in progress.

I started with a 10 e.p.i. sett and I could tell right away that the weave looked way too loose. I decided to cut off 4” of woven fabric and wash it to see if my hunch was correct. Sure enough, it barely held together, even with vigorous washing. It’s easy enough, if a little awkward to re-thread the loom. But this was quickly done in a 12-dent reed inserted in my second slot on the Flip Loom, removing threads one at a time from the 10-dent heddle and inserting them in the 12-dent. Again, the weave just didn’t look tight enough and the float structure didn’t curve in the way I had envisioned it. Again, there was still sufficient length to cut off a piece and wash it.

(By the way, all of the above was being done for me by our returning intern, Angela Johnson—who gained quite a bit experience with rigid heddle reed threading.) We washed this sample a little too vigorously and ended up with a matted mess—at least I learned that this yarn could not only bloom more fully than I thought it would on my first sample but that it could also be taken to the extreme of felting. This sample told me I did need to thread the yarn in two 8-dent heddles. Now, my weaving was too narrow—and we had to add additional yarn to the edges to bring it back into scarf-width range.

In a way you could say, all the iterations were sampling, and I did end up with a piece that I’m pleased as punch about, but I did loose the second scarf I had planned to leave on the loom. Instead my demonstration scarf barely fit beam to beam.

I show you my tests as well as the finished piece. Look for the finished scarf with instructions this summer as a free project on Knitting Daily TV, probably in July, when my taping about using a pick-up stick appears. Also on this program we mention my new book “The Weavers Idea Book: Creative Cloth from the Rigid Heddle Loom” (Interweave Press), to be released some time late summer or early fall.

The Gift of Time

2009-12-11T08:52:00.003-07:00

Maggie Wallace spun this skein from corriedale on a Schacht Matchless Spinning Wheel. We give Maggie A+ for her clever tag.

We are packing up the entries for our I Made It on My Schacht Contest. It is time to get things returned to their respective owners, but I’ve felt a certain spirit around the office surrounded by yarn and weaving from weavers and spinners across the country and even the sea. It’s sad, like sending an old friend off, to see these things go.

One area of the exhibit that cheers me every day is our display of children’s weaving and skeins, which we accompanied with photos and stories. I like the engagement I see in their photos, and their stories mostly concern how a special adult in their lives taught them to weave or spin. I can't help but think how lucky these kids are to have someone who took the time to share their special skill with them. As much as I’d like for each and every one of these young people to become a weaver or spinner, I know they all won’t. But what I do know is that they’ve had memorable experience, a unique time, an opportunity. Somehow this seems mighty powerful. I thank all the adults in these kid’s lives for finding the time to make their entries possible.

Note:
I’m photographing all of the pieces and will post a show of the exhibit on our website sometime in late January.

Schacht Standard Loom for Weavolution Auction

2009-11-20T13:16:00.002-07:00

Here's a great way to help a cause and get a new Schacht Loom in the process! Weavolution, the new on-line weaving community, is holding an on-line Ebay auction fundraiser featuring a one-of-a-kind special edition Schacht Standard Floor Loom. Check it out for a great deal and a worthy cause.

Below is Weavolution's notice on their website.
Between November 21st to December 1st, Weavolution is auctioning a brand new limited edition Weavolution Schacht Standard Floor Loom. Made of hard maple, this 36” low-castle jack floor loom has 4-shafts and the capability to add four more*. Included are all the wonderful features Schacht floor looms are known for such as a folding back beam for easy threading, a brake system that allows precise tension control, an easy treadle tie-up arrangement, light treadling action, friction reducing aluminum shaft channels, and an adjustable open-sided beater. You’ll find this loom a joy to weave on!

This is currently the ONLY Schacht floor loom with the Weavolution logo burnished on the loom. It is absolutely a one-of-a-kind loom. The loom can be seen here and will be on eBay from November 21 to December 1. There is a reserve set for this loom which must be met before it sells.

Future Weavers of America.... and embroiderers.

2009-11-11T12:43:00.005-07:00

Mollie Baker

Nicole Nieweg

Two of our guests show off their declarations of passion

Some days ago we had the fibers class at CSU visit the factory for a tour of the facilities as well as to see our “I Made It On My Schacht” show. We’re still feeling light hearted…We loved the energy of these young students; their enthusiasm was infectious. It was also exciting to see young people passionate about weaving and spinning.

So cute--I just had to share

2009-10-26T20:09:00.002-06:00

Not everyone has an art cake maker in the office. But we've got Christy--and boy oh boy can she come up with some delightfully clever cakes. Here's what she created for my birthday last week.

Join the Cricket Club

2009-10-16T15:05:00.006-06:00

Gail and Rachel, mother and daughter, weaving on Cricket Looms.

Because of the tremendous interest in our Cricket loom, our very own Melissa has started a Cricket Club on Ravelry. This is the place to share your enthusiasm for rigid heddle weaving, your projects, get ideas, helpful hints, and become a part of the Cricket Loom weaving community. We've been hearing that people can't resist the Cricket due to its cuteness--as well as being easy as pie to use and take along, as well as super affordable.

Just go to www.Ravelry.com and join The Cricket Club Group. And if you don't know what Ravelry is, it's an on-line community of fiber enthusiasts. You can get patterns, information, enthusiasm with like minded souls. It's like Facebook for fiberholics.

Happy Weaving! chirp, chirp.

Join the Cricket Club

2009-10-16T15:05:00.001-06:00

Schacht Anniversary Party and Contest Opening

2009-10-11T11:38:00.002-06:00

Barry Schacht gets a spindle. Our Production Manager, Cindy Lair and our Technical Manager Filip Sokol constructed this exact giant (8 foot tall) replica of Schacht's first spindle. Thanks to Judy and Maggie of Shuttle, Spindles, and Skeins for loaning us the roving for the presentation.

Barry Schacht, CEO, started the evening's program donning a wig--to look very much as he did in 1969!

A sampling of some of the entries--do not worry specific details to come.

A scene from the showroom

The wall of skeins.

Thanks to Bud and Lois of Bountiful for sending the pictures!

The rest of the prizes

2009-10-11T11:03:00.003-06:00

I know you all have been waiting to find out about the rest of the prizes. Thank you for your patience--and I apologize for taking longer than expected to announce them. In awarding these final prizes, we have divided up the prize winners into Runner Up Award Winners and Honorable Mention Award Winners. All kid entries will receive special recognition. What I've done today is just provide a list of the winners, but I really want to share not only the winners but all of the other finalists in the contest in the weeks to come. It is heartwarming and inspirational to see such a high degree of skill, creativity and exploration in the yarn and weaving on display here in the office. I want to share it all with you. We also received some wonderful stories from you and we'll share these as well over the next few months. We'll be posting the photos with details about the skein or woven item directly on our website. I'll try to keep you posted here as well. Again, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who entered, to all of the finalists, and award winners!

Spinning Award Winners
All Novice Runner Up Award Winners will receive a copy of Maggie Casey’s “Start Spinning—The Video”; all of the expert Runner Up Award Winners will receive our new Schacht Niddy Noddy. All Honorable Mention Award Winners will receive a Dizzy Yarn Gauge.
Jennifer Adams NOVICE HONORABLE MENTION
Mary Caldwell NOVICE RUNNER UP
Lindsay Dion EXPERT RUNNER UP
Alison Forsythe EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION
Jeannine Glaves GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Firth Gowan EXPERT RUNNER UP
Holly Jackson EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION
Yohannah Klingensmith NOVICE HONORABLE MENTION
Lori Lasher NOVICE RUNNER UP
Libby Llop EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION
Maureen McGuire NOVICE RUNNER UP
Marjorie Marker HONORABLE MENTION
Tami Mulder EXPERT RUNNER UP
Rochelle Ribeiro EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION
Lynn Ruggles EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION
Lois Scarbrough EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION
Theresa Schechter NOVICE HONORABLE MENTION
Eileen Scollan NOVICE HONORABLE MENTION
Anna Zinsmeister EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION
Susan Zivec NOVICE RUNNER UP

Weaving Award Winners
All Runner Up Award Winners will receive an end delivery shuttle with a package of pirns. All Honorable Mention Award Winners will receive a Limited-Edition Boat shuttle made of special laminated woods or specialty woods.
Sandra Anible NOVICE HONORABLE MENTION
Heidi Bates NOVICE HONORABLE MENTION
Barbara Christiaans NOVICE RUNNER UP
Rhonda Crosman EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION
Michele Dionne NOVICE RUNNER UP
Lynette Glass EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION
Elisabeth Hill EXPERT RUNNER UP
Jean Hill EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION
Victoria Klasch NOVICE HONORABLE MENTION
Eve Lindsey EXPERT RUNNER UP
Edie Love HONORABLE MENTION
Joan Williams Near EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION
Susan Porter NOVICE HONORABLE MENTION
Jill Sanders HONORABLE MENTION
Mary-Kay Tilden NOVICE RUNNER UP
Sharon White EXPERT RUNNER UP
Carry Wilcox GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Anna Zinsmeister EXPERT HONORABLE MENTION

Kids Weaving and Spinning
All entrants in the kid weaving and spinning category will receive special recognition. Each entrant will receive a 12” stick shuttle and a special certificate.
Spinning Entries
Megan Wallace
Renanah Yarden

Weaving Entries
Blair Joel Adams
Anna Beth Alexander
Tala Blais
Tokeya Blais
Patience Glueck
Lia Eggleston
Kaitlin Marler
Grace Smith
Mark Smith
Elizabeth Wheeler

YouTube Challenge Winner will receive a $250 shopping Spree.
Syne Michell for her Cricket Loom Weaving Demonstration.

Shop Challenge
We challenged our dealers to a contest for the most entries from their shop. The prize: We throw all of the entrants from their shop a party. Homestead Fiber Crafts of Waco, Texas won by a landslide: 50 entries into our “I Made It On My Schacht Contest”.

We are having a grand time planning their bash, which will include door prizes, activities, and treats. Thanks to Homestead Fiber Crafts for your enthusiasm and support!

Congratulations Carry Wilcox

2009-10-09T10:46:00.000-06:00

Correction:
It's Carry Wilcox (sorry for the misspelling) who is the winner of our Cherry Wolf Pup Grand Prize. Congratulations.

I Made It On My Schacht Grand Prize Winners

2009-10-08T22:48:00.003-06:00

Many congratulations to not only the Grand Prize winners, but everyone who entered. We announced the winners this evening at our 40th Anniversary Celebration.

The Grand Prize Winner in the Spinning Category is:
Jeannine Glaves. She'll receive our 40th Anniversary Cherry Matchless Spinning Wheel.

Kerry Wilcox is the Grand Prize Winner in the Weaving category. She'll receive a Cherry Wolf Pup.

We'll announce the other award winners and their awards tomorrow.

Thank you one and all for your participation and involvement. The people who came to see the opening and celebrate with us were so delighted with the entries. Really, we are over whelmed, moved and grateful for your enthusiasm.

Playing Around

2009-10-04T22:31:00.003-06:00

When was the last time you messed around? If you’re like me, it’s probably been awhile. The reason I bring this up is that I was trying to conjure up the feeling (the excitement!) I had when I first started to weave. Was it just that everything was so new? Or was it that I spent a lot of time experimenting, messing around. This is what I want to do; this is what I hope you can do, too.

I encourage you to celebrate Weaving and Spinning Week this year by fooling around with yarn and fiber. Just for the sheer joy of it.

Schacht on Colorado Public Radio

2009-09-28T07:59:00.002-06:00

Today, September 28th at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm Schacht and our 40th anniversary will be featured on Colorado Matters, on KCFR, 90.1. If you aren't in Colorado, you can visit their website, click on Colorado Matters and today's date.

I Made It On My Schacht Contest

2009-09-21T15:11:00.003-06:00

The contest finalists are pouring in, as you can see from the photo above.

We are completely overwhelmed, overjoyed and in some disbelief over the tremendous response to our I Made It on My Schacht Contest. If you entered, you should have heard from us by now, whether you are a finalist or not. I want to say a few words about this because it has been heart wrenching to not accept every entry. For the record, this was not easy.

I want to try to express what I felt as I looked through the photo entries, stories, and photos of you working at one of our looms or spinning wheels. First, it was a wonderful feeling to see our products being used--it really connected you to what we do, and vice verse. Your stories, which I hope to somehow share over time are equally engaging. What resonated with me was the deep commitment and joy weavers and spinners find in their involvement, as well as the integral part tools play in what you do. The show will open October 8th and will close December 1, 2009. So, if you live close by or your travels bring you to Boulder, I hope you'll stop by to visit the show.

Thank you one and all for your efforts and enthusiasm!

It's Finished!

2009-08-16T15:46:00.002-06:00

It’s come to this: A box of paper and CDs and two tubs of weaving. You’d think I’d be elated. Shouldn’t I feel like jumping up and down, dancing in the streets, ready to party hardy? Instead, I just feel "done". Isn't that a jip?
In just under a year, I’ve managed to weave and write and take pictures and make the beginnings of a book. Now the task falls to my editors and the Interweave creative team to make it into something beautiful and useful. Next summer we’ll see the results when “The Weaver’s Idea Book” is released. Now, it’s time to pick up the pieces of the rest of my life…!

Schacht bulky flyer plyer sneak preview

2009-08-14T19:16:00.005-06:00

Man O Man O Man. We are close, close, close on the Schacht Bulky Plyer Flyer... You can say you saw it first on my blog. You've got the scoop, let me tell ya cuz I haven't even alerted my significant other (aka BMS) that I'm passing the word. This baby is sweet, and, I know, I know, it's taken awhile (like way long), but it's the bulky head (The Big BH) that I've wanted...and I hope that you'll be pleased as punch too.

A few more details in the production and parts, and we should have a price, plus a shipping date. Still looking at a Bulky Fall Release!

BTW, hope you all are putting the finishing touches on your entry to our "I Made it on My Schacht" contest. Yes, it's good enough. Have confidence. Sometimes it's the timid that win the BIG prize--and we have loads of super great prizes. There's no way to loose...! Just by entering you've challenged yourself and perhaps stretched in ways with your work you might not have otherwise. Deadline (and that is a firm one) is September 1 (2009 in case you're wondering).

Deadline for Schacht contest is September 1

2009-08-03T07:39:00.002-06:00

A scene from my studio where I'm spending a whole lot of time these days.

I hope you are finalizing your weaving or spinning entry into our Schacht “I Made It on My Schacht” Contest. If you haven’t even begun yet—there’s still time! Just make yourself a little schedule and stick to it. You’ll do it. You really will! You’ve got a whole 29 days! You CAN do it! The entry details are on our web-site at www.schachtspindle.com

Meanwhile, I’m working like the devil on my book. I’m done-done with chapters 1 and 2 and hope to wrap up chapter 3 in a day or so. That just leaves 4 and 5, plus some other little dibby dabs.

Here’s a little challenge and a prod…if I can finish my book by September 1, surely you can complete a contest entry.

Also, I’m really hoping to see some You-tube entries showing you demonstrating weaving and spinning. There just needs to be more info on our crafts on You-Tube.

The Weavers Idea Book--photo shoot

2009-07-10T06:28:00.002-06:00

Things are progressing along for my book which will be released by Interweave Press next spring--that's 2010! I'm writing it for rigid heddle weavers, but I have to tell you, there's a lot of inspiration for harness weavers as well (I'm including drafts for all of the pick-up patterns, btw). The book is a collection of swatches, ideas, tips, as well as projects. You'll find step-by-step photography for using a pick-up stick and making Danish medallions, for example.

Yesterday I spent the day in Denver with Interweave creative team (a super and talented group) shooting the cover as well as many of the swatches that will appear in the book. My former assistant at Handwoven, Ann Budd, (now an editor for Interweave, an expert knitter and author of 10 weaving titles) is my editor. It's super to be working with Ann again.

My deadline is August 21st...so I'll be weaving in the early and late hours.

Two months and counting

2009-07-01T11:04:00.000-06:00

Two months and counting, plus notes from Midwest Weavers Conference

Today marks two months until the due date for the I Made It on My Schacht Contest. I’ve been hearing from all over that people are excited about our contest and are working away on their entries. This is the time to focus on completing your projects and entering our contest. It’s easy to do. Just visit our web site at www.schachtspindle.com and click on the contest for entry details! Also, don’t forget the You Tube challenge!

We have fabulous prizes, including a cherry Wolf Pup and a Cherry double Treadle Matchless. The show opens during spinning and weaving week, the first full week in October. We’ll have a 40th anniversary celebration and show opening on Thursday, October 8th. So get your wheels and looms going. There’s no time to waste.

Midwest Report
This year’s conference was held on the beautiful Grinnell College campus in Grinnell, Iowa with about 300 attendees. I had fabulous students in both my rigid heddle patterns and textures class and my beginning inkle weaving workshop. Madelyn VanderHoogt, editor of Handwoven magazine, presented the keynote address which was both entertaining and informative.

A reoccurring message throughout the conference was urging guilds to reach out to younger crafters to encourage them in weaving and spinning, as well as to join their guild. Guilds, generally, are aging, and without new members and younger weavers and spinners, it won’t be too long before membership will dwindle and with it our weaving and spinning traditions.

Off to Midwest Weavers Conference

2009-06-24T16:26:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow I’m off to Grinnell, Iowa and Midwest Weavers Conference where I’ll be teaching inkle weaving and patterns and textures on the rigid heddle loom. I always feel like I’m “going home” when I return to the Midwest. I’ll give you a report upon my return. If you will be attending, I hope you’ll track me down and say hello.

More than the Niddy Noddy has arrived

2009-06-23T09:05:00.003-06:00

Good news! We have started shipping our new fabulous niddy noddy. It addresses everything I wanted to see in a niddy noddy: lightweight, well balanced, easy to collapse, folds flat for storage, 1 ½ yd and 2 yd capacity, and beautiful. We’re making it in cherry and maple. Check it out at your favorite Schacht dealer.

The other good news: James William Yaeger has arrived. Some of you may remember the picture of my daughter Nora in Handwoven shortly after she was born. Now that little girl is a mother herself. And I am a grandmother. I’m filled with so many hopes and dreams for him, one of which is to find him in my studio some day fascinated by the loom and wheel.

The importance of stash

2009-06-14T18:11:00.005-06:00

I've written about stash before, but I'd just like to say once again that it really, really is a necessity. REALLY! NO KIDDING.

This week end I've been weaving samples for my upcoming book (my colleagues at Schacht Spindle have been very forgiving of my absences). Since I'm designing all of the pieces, it's not like I have a list of yarns for what's about to be created. I try this or that. One idea, one combination leads to a better idea and another try. What if I tried a different color...a different size...a different texture.... This is where THE STASH is essential. I know I have just the color...but where oh where oh where is it?

I think I'm super clever storing my yarns in clear, stack-able plastic containers. You can just see right in there, locate what you want, etc, etc, etc. But, in which bin is the yarn I WANT RIGHT NOW? (You can't see every yarn inside by looking from the outside.) You see from the picture above what happened--not just with these bins but with about six other tubs--all dumped on the floor of my studio! Aha! All was not for naught--I DID find just the color I was looking for.

Now I've finished weaving for the day and I'm putting all those dumped bins back together. There are ever so many ways to sort the yarn: by fiber, by size, by color, by manufacturer... I can't ever seem to decide what's best (part of my find-that-yarn crises of the day). For now, I'm putting all like-yarns together, such as all of the pearl cotton in one bin, sport weight wools in another, and so on.

And let me just say never ever ever throw those bits away. I needed an very short length today--and had it, stashed away in a little baggie in my big bad bin.

Violet Rose

What They’re Weaving Now

Plan now: Colorado Weavers Day

The Schacht Report: a whole lot of stuff goin’ on

Starting the New Year Off With Old Lessons

The Gift of Time

Schacht Standard Loom for Weavolution Auction

Future Weavers of America*.... *and embroiderers.

So cute--I just had to share

Join the Cricket Club

Join the Cricket Club

Schacht Anniversary Party and Contest Opening

The rest of the prizes

Congratulations Carry Wilcox

I Made It On My Schacht Grand Prize Winners

Playing Around

Schacht on Colorado Public Radio

I Made It On My Schacht Contest

It's Finished!

Schacht bulky flyer plyer sneak preview

Deadline for Schacht contest is September 1

The Weavers Idea Book--photo shoot

Two months and counting

Off to Midwest Weavers Conference

More than the Niddy Noddy has arrived

The importance of stash

Future Weavers of America.... and embroiderers.