New Yarns and More

September 14, 2007

Hello!

Fall is here and time to crank our knitting and weaving engines to prepare for gifts for Christmas and other special occasions.  There are a few new, exciting yarns here at Heritage Yarns including superwash wool sock yarn and laceweight merino in variegated colors - very good quality and affordable and both suitable for many applications.

If you are a weaver just starting out and need pictures to guide you in the process, I am beginning a new series of warping a loom from back to front.  Each month or so, or as time permits, I will update.  Let me know if there are any specific things you would like to see or if you have questions, feel free to contact me at Margaret@heritageyarns.com.

Dyeing for your knitting and weaving pleasure,

Margaret <><

Jojoland Harmony Laceweight Merino

The 100% merino content of Harmony will keep you singing while you knit or weave.  Oh, so soft and nice worn next to the neck.  And if you live in a warm climate, Harmony will make a delightful scarf or shawl in a cobweb weight.

Put-up is on a 50 g/880 yd. ball.  Recommended needle size by the manufacturer is size 0 U.S. but with gauge not being crucial with scarves or shawls, knit with the needle size that gives you the fabric you like.  There is ample yardage on one ball for almost any lace scarf.

Two or three balls is enough for most shawls!  Wraps per inch = 30.  Gauge = 9 sts. x 16 rows = 1 x 1 inch.  Double for a little heavier fabric or see Melody Superwash fingering weight wool below.

See the HeartStrings collection of scarves and shawls for a perfect match with this yarn.

Suggested weaving sett is approximately 15 epi for plain weave, 20+ for twill or 24 for advancing, undulating or other fancy twill.

Hand wash in lukewarm water.

Jojoland Melody Superwash Wool

This wool is very soft and is not only for socks.  It may also be used for lace knitting if you're looking for a yarn you can knit with a slightly larger needle.

Need a not-so-expensive gift (that looks expensive!) for a fiber friend?  Pick up a few balls of Melody along with a sock knitting pattern.  A simple drawstring project bag will be included to create a kit, a very special gift at a low price.

Put-up is on a 50 g/220 yd. ball.  Wraps per inch = 15-16.  Gauge = 7-8 sts./in.  Recommended knitting needle size by the manufacturer is 1-2 U.S.  Two balls is sufficient for most sock patterns.  Let your feet dance to the Melody of beautiful color and soft fiber.

If you plan to weave with Melody, I would suggest setting a little tighter than normal sett based on WPI as the wool will not full as much in the wet-finishing process as a non-superwash wool.  Suggested sett = 10 for plain weave, 12 for a simple twill and bump it up a notch if you plan to do a multi-shaft, undulating or other fancy twill.  Sure to bring the weaver's handshake!

Warping a Loom

I have been fortunate to have a very good local weaving teacher.  Some of you do not have a weaving teacher in your area and have expressed a need to see pictures of how I warp a loom.

There are many ways to warp a loom and mine is not the only way.  Nor do I use the same method each time but this is one way that I use a lot and works for me.

I am in agreement with most experienced weavers I know that warping from back to front is the best.  Yes, I'm a little prejudiced in that regard.  Why?  Warping from back to front preserves the tension that you have so carefully maintained in the measuring process.  It is also less abrasive on the warp as it only has to go through the heddles and reed once rather than twice as with front to back warping.

This is a new link to pictures and explanations of the process I used with a painted warp.  I will be updating periodically as time permits.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Margaret@heritageyarns.com.

Happy weaving!

Margaret

Testimonial

"That was ridiculously fast.  I don't believe I've ever had an order fulfilled so quickly.  The yarn is great, the pattern is lovely, you threw in a project bag (I love that!).  You are fantastic and I'm going to make sure that all of my friends know about you!

Thank you!"

ErickaJo

I hope you like the colors you see in Jojoland Yarns.  Look for more exciting yarns soon.

Sincerely,

Margaret Pittman

Heritage Yarns

Shopping/Information

Yarn shipments are limited to the U.S. and Canada. If you live outside the U.S. or Canada and would like to place a pattern order, please inquire at Margaret@heritageyarns.com.

Visit Knitting Patterns and take a look around at the wide selection of downloadable patterns from HeartStrings.

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