a simple cardboard loom--for a tiny tapestry

So, for those of you who want to weave tapestries but can't afford, or don't want to purchase a big tapestry loom, here's a reasonably priced, simple alternative. Go to a local frame shop (not a place like Michaels or Hobby Lobby) and ask them if they have a small scrap of mat board. In the range of 10 inches square or a bit smaller works great. Have them cut out the center of the mat, like you were going to frame a picture, leaving about an inch and a half edge. If they are cutting scraps, this shouldn't cost you much.

Now, take your loom home. You have a bit of work left to do. Take a ruler and on the edge of the mat, starting where the center cutout is, measure and mark in incriments of an 1/8th of an inch all the way across. With a scissor cut slits in the edge of the of the mat board about an 1/8th of an inch deep. You need to do this on two opposite sides of the mat board and you're ready to warp your loom.

Warping your loom is easy too...taking some strong, smooth yarn (I like white sock yarn) slide the yarn into the slot all the way on one end, then stretch it across to the slot on the opposite side. Then, put the yarn across the back tightly, into the slot right next to the one you just used. Continue across this way, until the whole loom is warped!

Tomorrow...weaving a tapestry....

leaf dyeing

Yesterday, while out mowing the lawn in the 2 hours of not rain...(don't ask...what a mess) I trimmed a couple very low hanging branches off the apple and the aspen tree. Because i had already trimmed them i decided to try dyeing with the leaves. I'd heard some pretty impressive results and had to try for myself. Anyway...i stripped of all the leaves and cooked both the apple and aspen (separately) for an hour or so. the results are really lovely!

apple leaves--first bath, second bath

aspen leaves--overnight soak, 20 minutes soak...as typical i find that a shorter soak gives a much clearer, cleaner yellow.