The Loom is in the House!

Oh, the thrill.

I found this gem in a thrift shop a couple years ago.

She was marked reasonably and everything in the store 

happened to be 1/2 off that day.

So I thought for about a minute - really maybe a whole minute.

I was driving the pickup that day for whatever reason.

It was fate:)

She has sat in the shop for a couple years, and

every so often, I would take the shop-vac to her.

 She was dirty and tangled when I brought her in.

I took the vacuum to her as well as a lot of 'Old English.'

I cut strings that were binding.

What is on her now is a rag rug that was started at some point in her life.

I just left it on there so I can take mental notes as I remove it all.

I have met one or two nice folks who have offered to help me learn

how to get her set up for weaving.

I have been asked what kind of loom she is and other questions about her

that I have no idea how to answer.

After cleaning her thoroughly,

I can still find no makers name plate or stamp anywhere.

If someone can tell me what I have,

please leave me a comment.

As long as she works properly, it really doesn't matter to me,

but it would sure be nice to know.

There is now a whole slough of words and verbiage I need to learn.

petals, rutter, appendix etc. haha

I do know I will need different shuttles that what came with her so

again any suggestions as to which ones are preferred would be welcome.

Any words of advise will be greatly appreciated.

I am anxious to see what kind of tangled mess I can weave now.

Of course now, all kinds of projects come to mind that I can make 

in all that spare time I have.

I needed another hobby like I need a hole in my head.

But I suppose, when we quit learning, we quit living - right?

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Always Learning

This lovely little vessel of sorts

was given to me years ago

because, yes I am the one who likes old 'stuff.'

It was handed down through some extended family,

and was at a bit of an end so it came my way.

It is from Estonia.

It appeared to me to be a crochet set

for some very tiny/fine lace.

What I learned after all these years...

It is actually a tambour set.

Tambour was the precursor to crocheting.

What we now call crocheting

was once called tambour in the air.

It is frequently seen on such finery as wedding veils

or beaded pieces.

Fabric was stretched over a drum/hoop

which is in conjunction with the tambourine and snare drum.

The hook actually goes through the fabric where

the thread is wrapped around, hooked, and drawn

back up through the fabric.

It's really like crocheting through fabric.

(There are several good youtube videos if you're interested.)

There are various sized hooks for different threads.

This finest hook is about like a snag in your fingernail.

Even with a dime to reference size,

it is difficult to see just how small it is.

I can't imagine the works this set created.

It was so amazing to learn what it actually was.

I love those little bits of knowledge of history and tradition

that would otherwise be lost to modernization.

I tell friends, "I know lots of useless information, just

don't ask me anything important."

(Example: Did you know the zipper wasn't invented until 1891?)
This is just one more of those little morsels.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Wonder Woman

In my last post,

I told you I would introduce you

to our Dye Day hostess.

Her name is Arleta.

This amazing woman spins, weaves,

tans hides (about 8-10/yr.)

has two huge green houses

for her garden,

makes soap,

keeps bees,

and probably has an invisible jet 

in one of the barns.

She tore a hole in her apron.

Did that stop her - Nope!

Just grabbed a plastic bag and kept going.

Instead of Dye Days, 

she has also hosted 

Tanning Weekend.

Mr. LB was interested in that one.

Over the course of the day,

we discovered that my folks

are friends with her brother and sister-in-law.

It really is a small world.

She is 80 29 years young,

and just got back from a 12 day rendezvous.
(If you are not familiar with a rendezvous,
it's a group that is 'mountain man' style &
there are no campers, cel. phones, ipods, 
or anything modern allowed.
Cooking is done over an open fire,
they sleep in tents/teepees or such,
and are dressed in buckskins or dresses
of that time period.)

I could spend a month with her

and never stop learning.

She is a complete inspiration.
I truly hope I have the opportunity
to spend more time learning from her.
I also hope each person who reads this
~for whatever it is that speaks to your soul~
finds a person or people
as knowledgeable, skilled and generous
as Arleta.

People like her are real blessings
and I am thankful to have spent a day 
with her.

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches