Schacht Spindle Company Zoom Loom

Beyond cross stitch, do you use your creative energy in other ways? Do you also knit, crochet, do needlepoint, or quilt? Most stitchers do something on the side, never forgetting their true handmade love, but enjoying other outlets as well. I do many things involving fiber, and now I'm learning something new: weaving. Some will tell you it's the next great fiber art, but I look at it as another creative way to use my stitchery fibers. That is, to use this massive stash of wonderful threads and yarns I can't stop collecting. Beautiful table runner from Deb Essen of DJE Handwovens, using Kreinik Fine #8 Braid for the gold thread. This is the same fiber stitchers use for cross stitch and needlepoint. If you are similar, here's my plug for weaving. It's easy to get started for a minimal amount: pick up a pin loom. You can use any yarns and threads, and start weaving colorful squares while you're watching Netflix. Weave enough little squares and you can put together a scarf or table runner. You will fall in love with the fun fabric you create. I can't stop playing with yarn and color combinations. Most pin looms come with directions to get you started. I have a Schacht Spindle Company Zoom Loom I bought online. A basic square created on a pin loom can become a coaster immediately (gift items for all your friends!). Make more than one, though, and you can combine them to make a scarf or table runner. Here I used a knitting yarn with Kreinik Ombre in gold for more visual interest. Samples of the variety you can make with a pin loom (such as a Zoom Loom). Here, different yarns are combined with Kreinik metallic braids and ribbons for more texture and light effects. Gorgeous, easy, quick, and fun. I am inching closer to getting a rigid-heddle loom, a moderately priced version that comes in different sizes. The Handweaver's Guild of America will be hosting it's Convergence seminar in a few weeks, and I will be there representing Kreinik. I like to know what I'm talking about, so I have been learning from weaving shops and designers like Deb Essen of DJE Handwovens. Video tutorials on the Interweave site and YouTube also help when you need more visuals. This beautiful design by Deb Essen of DJE Handwovens uses Kreinik 1/8" Ribbon in a confetti color, for a variegated metallic effect in a traditional log cabin pattern. I'm not giving up my favorite pastime of cross stitch, but weaving — just like knitting, crochet and needlepoint — is another way to combine fibers, colors and patterns to express creativity. While the days are long and lazy this summer (hopefully you'll get vacation time), try weaving. This is a classic pattern from DJE Handwoven's line, but remade using metallic threads. The look is so elegant, while the drape is still soft. Here, Deb used Kreinik Fine #8 gold Braid and an 8/2 Tencel for the rust color. And if you're coming to Convergence, stop by the Kreinik booth to say hello. For show info, visit https://www.weavespindye.org/convergence This is one of Doug Kreinik's weaving projects, worked using silk and metallic threads. He used Kreinik Braid in black for warp, and an orange/black combination for the weft. Love the way the metallic adds the "spice" of light to the design. As with any fiber art, when you combine different types of yarn and thread, your finished project is more visually interesting. Use fiber, color and texture just like you would use spices and ingredients in a recipe. Kreinik Ombre is used in the warp here. This swatch came from Doug Kreinik, who bought a rigid heddle loom last year. He now makes yarns in the Kreinik factory just for weaving (the gold shoelace yarn in the weft is an experiment). The red/gold/green metallic in the warp is one of Kreinik's most popular needlepoint colors.