Jun 03 2007
Eventful Weekend
Right after I bound off my pal’s scarf on Friday night, I picked up my Trekking yarn and cast on (yet again) for the second Shades sock. It feels good to be focusing on works-in-progress and clearing out the knitting basket. Plus, I have some great projects planned for the new Project Spectrum colors just waiting in the wings, but I need to finish at least one thing before I can start another… my conscience won’t let me continue!
The second sock started out more pastel than sock one.
Trekking is always a surprise. And, it is quite photogenic too, no?
Last week, Isel and I made plans to meet in the city to attend the Textile Museum’s Celebration of Textiles day. I went with Jenna last year, and really enjoyed the day. This year was great too! (although I think it was hotter outside…)
Looms. They have really been “catching my eye” lately. I spoke with one of the festival’s volunteers about her weaving experiences and her recommendations for looms. These tabletop looms look like a good way to start out… but I need to do some more research before jumping in. Maybe a trip to The Mannings for some hands-on training… aren’t they pretty?
The festival included sheep shearing, many hands-on crafts, and demonstrations by fiber artists. Last year, I spoke with this gentleman about his work of restoring centuries-old Persian carpets. I was happy to see even more carpets on display this year, specifically the beautiful red and black one behind him.
The museum’s main exhibition right now is called RED, and it details the history and symbolism behind the color. Photography was not allowed in the exhibit hall, but many amazing textiles were displayed, including Vietnamese silk banners, 14th-century Persian embroidered scrolls (red with metallic embroidery-stunning!), Peruvian woven materials, and modern costume and fashion. It was a small display, but quite comprehensive in its scope.
I learned later that Coleen and Jody were at the same event, and we totally missed each other (probably by a few minutes!) They both got some great pictures of the other events - check them out! Sorry we missed you, girls!
Isel and I left the museum and went to a bead shop on Dupont Circle. She claims I “forced” her in there, but she went very willingly, and left with even more than I did! I bought a simple case of assorted beads and baubles in some very appropriate colors:
We then traveled to a nearby cafe where we could 1) cool off after being in the sweltering heat 2) eat some yummy food and 3) knit and chat. She worked on a not-yet-blogged sock (so pretty!) while I made some progress on the Shades sock above.
…and in true blogger fashion, we had to take some pictures of each other to document our day!
I love that sock yarn. It’s beautiful.
WOW! That’s some camera!!!!!
Sounds like you had a perfectly, wonderful day!
Ooh, that’s some gorgeous sock yarn. I have never used Trekking, but I am very much looking forward to it!
Ooh, it sounds like you and Isel had a great time! I feel the same way about the finishing projects before starting some new ones. I am getting quite excited to knit something red…
Hi Lolly! That sock looks great! I know you probably said it, but what is the name of that sock pattern? I love the zig zag cuff.
It sounds like a great exhibition and a very fun afternoon. Love your reds and the photo of Isel. A perfect blog day.
Too bad we missed each other!! It was a fun day
Sorry we missed you! We went to the bead store too!
How fun! Great blogging adventure.
Looks like you all had a lot of fun! The socks look great.
Sounds like a great exhibit. I was just watching an arts program on PBS that included fibre arts like weaving on looms and it looked so intriguing.
The sock looks beautiful, and your photos are just *gorgeous*!
That seems such a lovely outing for you guys! I’m jealous!
I just got back from the yarn market yesterday. I saw the most beautiful table top looms at the Schacht booth. You should check out their website.
Amy
who knew trekking could look so good? you have a gift for making yarn look super-luscious. and the pattern is lovely, too. will have to find it and see whether i can manage it.
trips to textile museums are fun. i love weaving. haven’t done it in years, but always thought i’d buy a loom, but there are too many space issues.
i’ve been to that bead shop in dupont circle. hope you found lots of goodies inside.
Sounds like fun! I love bloggers taking pictures of bloggers!
looks like you guys had a fun day! it was pretty hot here too!
Those beads look like berries!
It looks like you had a great day!
Love the second sock! and I love the bowl o’ beads. I can see those as a great set worn with those shoes!
Sounds like a great weekend Lolly! The socks are great - love the colors! My youngest daughter (13 now) and I have been intrigued by looms for years and have been looking at them also. Not sure if we can afford the expense, but it is fun to dream and plan!
That was fun! I guess we were there too early though…
The socks are even prettier in person, but we need to get you on those circular needles and magic looping soon.
Thanks for meeting me and for not posting that ugly picture of me.
I love that Trekking. So pretty.
A couple of years ago, I went to a fair where they have a weaving demo. The woman was using one of those gigantic floor looms, and the thing was a relic; it was as big as a grand piano (in my memory, anyway). I decided I had to learn to weave, but tucked that desire away when I saw how much one of those floor looms cost (not to mention the question of where to store such a thing). I’d love to see what one could make using a tabletop loom. My mind can’t get much past scarf. Dishcloth.
That Red exhibit sounds really interesting. I remember reading a few years back that in many cultures red was supposed to protect you or heal you from smallpox. Maybe as late as the 18th century some patients were put in red rooms with red drapes and red covers and lamps covered with red shades. Similar treatments were seen in places like China, if I recall correctly. I always wondered how that got started.
Sounds like fun! Beautiful socks, as usual–can’t wait to see them on your feet!
The museum event sounds so neat! Also, I always love seeing my favorite knitbloggers meeting up and hanging out.
Good luck finishing the trekking socks — can’t wait to see what you do with the beads!
sounds like so much fun! those looms are so cool looking!
Sounds like such a fun day! That textile museum seems like a really cool museum. Every time you post about it, I want to visit!
Oh, my gosh! De ja vu!! I recently visited the museum with some of my knitter/beader friends to see ‘Red’. And we also stopped at Beadazzled at DuPont Circle, AND I BOUGHT THE SAME BEADS!!!!!
See my blog to see the finger-woven treasure necklace I made with them!!!!
http://clmadden.blogspot.com/2007/03/wild-treasure-necklace.html
Love your blog!!!
And for what it’s worth, as a former weaver, I would think about a used floor loom as opposed to a table loom.
Sounds like a great weekend! My grandmother had a huge loom and could weave things up to a yard wide. She learned in a class. I guess the hard part is learning how to thread the loom to start.
Very pretty beads!
Sorry I’m late. I’m just catching up on my bloggy reading. I just wanted to let you know that they have looms down in Alexandria at Springwater too. That’s where my daughter got hooked on weaving.
Ooh, the textile museum is going on my list for our next trip to D.C.! How in the world did I miss it? You’ve also reminded me that I need to give my loom some attention - weaving is really fun and I just don’t get to it enough.
And that sock yarn - delicious! What a great pattern for showing it off, too.
Yes, take up weaving! You’d make such lovely things, and I’d have more weaving blogs to read
Looks like a fun day! I really like the Trekking…I think its so interesting how different it looks knit up…very pretty. Have a good weekend!
one word : jealous