Today I went to a stash sale held by my fiber arts guild and stocked up on fibers and tools at jaw dropping prices. I’m thrilled with my haul.

It was actually a bit overwhelming with so many tables of choices. Yarn was sold by the pound and fleece by giant bags. I just wanted a bit of fleece to try out drop spindle spinning. I figure if I get into it, I can always get more at a later date. I was definitely thinking of earth tones for tapestries and finer yarns for my rigid heddle loom.

The tool I got I’m most excited about is the threading hook for my heddle. (Although having shorter wooden shuttles is awesome as well.)

My loom didn’t come with one of these. When I made my skinny scarf, getting my loom warped was kind of like threading a sewing needle many times in a row. My eyes are not as good as they used to be, so it was not an easy task. This little hook should make it a lot easier.

And my patchwork skinny scarf turned out awesome. It’s got lots of mistakes and I’m fine with that.

Before I start any new projects on that loom though, I want to make more progress on my tapestry.

I know I am just filling in sky on the top at this point, but I’m still undecided about how I want the bottom on the side panels. I have some open warps and slits in this piece that came about as I’ve been learning about wedge weaving and shaped tapestry. I have to think about how things might shift if I try to do fringe work.

At the latest tapestry study group meeting, we played around with paper while learning different patterns for various shapes – right angles and curves, as well as loops and vessels. It’s recommended to start with angles and curves and of course I want to skip right to a vessel.

I noticed that I may end up with a loop in this piece after I pull some warp strings on the left panel. It will certainly be an interesting shape I’m sure. (And I have to do it just to see. I’m looking for added texture for these hills as it is.)

I will be sure to update later.