Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

christmas

Krokbragd Reindeer Tutorial

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It’s that wonderful time of year again, when thoughts start turning to festive project and gift ideas.

A number of years ago I released a How to weave Reindeer on a rigid heddle loom on Youtube and it has proved to be very popular! In that video we use pick up sticks in front of the heddle to achieve the shapes we need to build some little reindeer.

For my Christmas video this year, I decided to again weave reindeer but use a different weave structure for a different look. I already had my Sampleit loom warped for a krokbragd sampler so I set about designing some cute reindeer ensconced in a lovely Fair Isle inspired border.

This tutorial uses 4 colours for the weft – navy, white, red and beige. I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 4 play, which is a fingering weight wool. The warp should be a strong and thinner than the weft, I use a #12 seine twine.

Krokbragd-Reindeer-tutorial-PDFDownload

Be sure to watch the free Youtube tutorial so that you can follow the weaving sequence along with the printable PDF.

If you’re looking for further krokbragd learning resources, check these out:

Krokbragd 101 Online Course…

Krokbragd Youtube Playlist…

All About Krokbragd…

*This post contains affiliate links. For further information, please see my disclosure policy

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Christmas Trees Weaving Tutorial on a Rigid Heddle Loom

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With Christmas just around the corner, my head has begun swimming with festive ideas!

Christmas, as the song goes, “is the most wonderful time of the year” – at least I think so, I love to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

I also love the atmosphere, the colours, the change in mood to one of joy and relaxation. The excitement of finding the right Christmas tree and the wonderful scent of pine filling the house is a real highlight for our family.

You may have previously seen my Winter Trees Tutorial but I thought it was high time we do a good and proper Christmas Tree Tutorial.

*This post contains affiliate links. For further information, please view my disclosure policy.

This tutorial is inspired by the Russian Branoe technique and involves picking up threads with a pick up stick in front of the heddle on a closed shed. We then use a “pattern weft” to build up pattern as we weave through the rows. It’s a lot of fun and you can make some super cool characters and pictures.

The threading for the loom set up is just plain weave, and all patterning is done by picking up warp threads. There is no need for specialist knowledge, just a bit of patience!

You can choose to weave plain Christmas trees, or there is an option to “decorate” your tree at the end of the tutorial.

I used my rigid heddle loom to weave this on, but all you really need is a loom that is capable of tensioning a warp and opening 2 sheds. A frame loom would work, it would just be a bit more work for the weaver

If you find this technique interesting, I have plenty of other resources and tutorials for you to delve into:

Baubles and Candles

Little Trees

Exploring Branoe (Online weaving class)

Gift Boxes

Reindeer

Snowmen

You will find all the materials and instructions for the Christmas Trees in this downloadable, printable PDF. I recommend that you use this PDF in conjunction with the instructional Youtube video for best results. Click on “download” at the bottom of the file.

Christmas-trees-PDFDownload

The free video tutorial is available to view here-

I hope that this tutorial and pattern brings some Christmas cheer into your homes and lives!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Baubles and Candles on a rigid heddle loom

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With Christmas fast approaching, I wanted to gift you all with something fun and achievable, as well as having a festive theme.

I came up with some simple baubles and candles that I’m confident is suitable for any level of rigid heddle weaver.

This project is very decorative and better suited to low wash items.

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

For the project, I just wove a sampler to illustrate the patterns, but you can use the designs however you please.

What you will need:

A rigid heddle loom (any size is fine if you just want to weave the sample.

A 7.5 dent heddle

A threading/reed hook

A stick shuttle wider than the width of your weaving

A pick up stick wider than the width of your weaving

A tapestry needle

Yarn options:

For my warp I used a light worsted/dk weight wool in white. I used this same yarn for my plain weave. The same yarn, but in different colours was used for the pattern weft. Please see the video for colours used.

For embellishments, I used small amounts of DMC embroidery floss.

Sampler Specifications:

If you wanted to weave a sampler just like mine, here are the basic measurements.

Number of ends: 64 (32 slots)

Approximate width on loom: 8″

Sett: 7.5

Total warp length: 35″

The baubles and candles use the same overshot weaving technique as my reindeer, snowmen, gift boxes and winter trees.

There is a pattern weft that forms the picture or design, and in between every pattern pick is a plain weave pick (either an up or a down shed).

Weaving Instructions:

The Baubles –

I left a border either side of my designs in order to centre them and make sure that none were inadvertently cut in half! I left 6 threads on each side. This is optional, and you an adjust the border threads to suit.

I’m not including the border threads in the weaving steps, but if you watch the video you won’t have any trouble following along with these instructions.

Remember that you need to weave a plain weave row in between every pattern weft.

Step 1. 6 up, 2 down, *7 up, 2 down, repeat from * (7 up, 2 down for the rest of the way across)

Step 2. *5 up, 4 down, repeat from *

Step 3. 4 up, 6 down, *3 up, 6 down, repeat from *

Step 4. Repeat row 3, with a contrast colour

Step 5. Repeat row 3, with the original colour

Step 6. *5 up, 4 down, repeat from *

Step 7. Repeat row 1

The Candles:

For the candles, I left a border either side of 5 threads instead of 6, to work in better with the required calculations for the design.

Step 1. *4 down, 4 up, repeat from *

Step 2. Repeat row 1, alternating plain weave rows with pattern rows.

All of these details are available in a handy PDF for you to print out. You can download and print that right here:

Baubles-and-CandlesDownload

And you will want to watch the video and follow along with the instructions. You will find the free and detailed video here:

I hope you enjoy this project! Thank you all for your AMAZING support this year!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! 🎄

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Weaver’s Gift Guide 2020

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2020 has been a pretty rough year for most of us. I am so looking forward to celebrating Christmas and enjoying the festive season!

Our family of 6 will be reuniting to celebrate Christmas together after being separated from our son due to COVID lockdown for most of this year. I can’t wait for that!

One thing that 7 months of lockdown prompted me to do was to buy all those weaving books (ahem, OK, they weren’t just weaving books) I had always wanted. I don’t feel the need to tell you how many books have landed on my doorstep this year, but lets just say that I’m a lot more challenged for bookshelf space now than I was at the start of the year!

*This post contains affiliate links. For further information, check out my disclosure policy here.

Books make the most fabulous gifts though, so I’m going to be including a few of my personal favourites in this 2020 Weaver’s Gift Guide.

If you’re looking for fictional books to dive into (heads up, I’m a big classics fan!) you can find a list of suggestions in the Book Lovers section of my Amazon Shop.

If you need further inspiration, why not also check out last year’s Weaver’s Gift Guide?

Without further ado, let us launch into the gift guide! Items are in no particular order 😉

  1. Ashford Sampleit Loom

I have used my Sampleit a LOT this year, in fact it has rarely been without a warp on it’s sweet little frame. I have found it so perfect for not only sampling (which it is absolutely perfectly sized for) but also for weaving smaller projects. Would you believe that my Rainbow Lap Blanket was woven entirely on my 10″ Sampleit?!

Another thing I love about my Sampleit is that it’s so small and light it hangs on some hooks mounted on the wall when it’s not in use. I hang it up whether it has a warp on it or not. Easy and efficient storage!

I use mine without a stand, but stands are available.

A little loom is a great way for a new weaver to dip their toes into the weaving world without making a big financial investment.

The Ashford Sampleit comes in two sizes – a 10″ and a 16″.

2. Lacis Cards

I just started card weaving this year and I must admit I’m pretty hooked! I use my inkle loom to weave bands with cards, but rigid heddle looms and body tensioning can work too. Card weaving is so cool and there are so many variations on patterns that you can weave – I’ve only just scratched the surface and look forward to doing much more. The Lacis cards are really great – they are durable, have a light, shiny coating that allows easy turning of the cards, they are a good size for your hands and the holes are marked with A, B, C and D to help you keep track during threading and turning.

Another great card weaving resource is Candace Crockett’s book Card Weaving. Candace puts her instructions in laymen’s terms so they are really easy to follow. It’s a great book to start out card weaving with. The book + a pack of cards = a wonderful weaving gift!

3. Fringe Twister

Many newer and seasoned weavers would appreciate the gift of a fringe twister. If you have been twisting fringes by hand (or know a weaver who has) a fringe twister is an absolute game changer!

I own the LeClerc fringe twister with 4 clips. The more clips you have, the more fringe you can twist at once. I’ve had my twister for many years now and it is in constant use. It still functions just like new.

4. Rosie’s Flexible Tablet Holder for Loom

A little disclaimer here – I do not own one of these. But as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to include it in this year’s gift guide. Why?

Because I knew it would be the perfect thing for so many of my students! Many students watch my classes on their iPad or tablet and actually follow along with instructions whilst seated at the loom.

This tablet holder can attach directly to your loom or table, and it has a flexible arm so that you can get the positioning of the tablet just right.

It’s also surprisingly affordable for such a task specific tool. I love it!

The Smart Phone Holder is also available.

5. Clover Jumbo Bent Tip Tapestry Needles

Ok, I’m a weirdo, but seriously, these needles have changed my life! At least when it comes to hemstitching. I’ve written about these needles previously, but for a quick re-cap, I love them because:

  • They have a coating that is just slippery enough. They glide through hand woven fabric like they were born to do it.
  • The bent tip makes them ergonomically wonderful to use – less stress on your hands and wrists.
  • They are a great size for holding and using.
  • They are cheap to buy/
  • They come in a 2 pack, just in case you lose one, which is unlikely because they are gold.
  • Did I mention they are gold?! 🤩

6. Weaving Books

It’s hard to know where to start with books, as the weaving world has been SO blessed with an abundance of excellent weaving books. Here are just a few of the books that are in my personal library:

Rigid Heddle Weaving:

The Weaver’s Idea Book, Jane Patrick

Inkle Weaving:

The Weaver’s Inkle Pattern Directory, Anne Dixon

Multi Shaft Weaving:

The Handweaver’s Pattern Directory, Anne Dixon

Card Weaving:

Card Weaving, Candace Crockett

Tapestry:

Tapestry Weaving, Kirsten Glasbrook

The Art of Tapestry Weaving, Rebecca Mezoff

7. Yarn!

Once again, there are just so many choices for weavers when it comes to yarn. But if you’re looking for gifts for weavers, here are a few of my favourites:

Maurice Brassard 8/2 cotton

Maurice Brassard 8/2 cottolin

Maurice Brassard 8/2 tencel

Maurice Brassard 8/2 bamboo

You may have noticed I’m a bit of a Maurice Brassard fan! Their yarns are affordable, reliable and beautiful so I use them a lot.

8/2 tencel that I hand dyed

8. Laptop and iPad Skins

Well, if we’re going to use tech we might as well make it look good, and what better way than to slap some beautiful weaving on it?

My Society6 store has a huge range of printed weaving themed items, from coffee mugs to doormats, tote bags to greeting card, face masks to bath mats. It’s crazy just how many different items are available in my shop there, take a look!

9. Dressmaker’s Shears

My dressmaker’s shears are one of my most valued tools in my weaving studio. That feeling of finishing your weaving and cutting the warp off with beautifully sharp shears is just wonderful. Using dull scissors can be a huge frustration when you are cutting yarn all the time. And if you happen to sew with your hand woven fabric, a good pair of dressmaking shears is an absolute must.

In my opinion it is worth spending a little more on a good pair. I have had my Stag 9.5″ dressmaking shears for around 10 years. Strangely, this brand does not seem to be readily available nowadays, but I’ve read some rave reviews on Kai shears.

I simply have my shears sharpened every 2 – 3 years and they work perfectly. Sharpening only costs around $10AUD, so it’s a cheap way to maintain a sharp edge.

10. Tape Measures

Most days you will see me with a tape measure slung around my neck, and if not, it’s never far away. I have an assortment of tape measures so that I always have quick access. My tape measures are all inch plus metric measurements and I use both at various times.

You can go with the standard, basic tape measure or something cute and novel. I have both!

Basic tape measures.

Cute tape measures

11. Last, but not least, I couldn’t finish the Gift Guide without mentioning my Online Weaving School. Perhaps it’s time to give yourself the gift of weaving through the huge number of classes available. If you want to dive right in, a membership is the perfect option. Or, if you’re dipping your toes in, you may want to purchase single classes. The choice is yours!

Here is what students are saying:

“I love, love, love my gold class membership! I love that I have access to all the wonderful classes any time I want to watch them. Kelly is a fabulous teacher. She explains things in such a straightforward and understandable way, learning is much easier. A great bonus is the weaving community that comes with the gold membership. How wonderful to be able to encourage each other.”

Lori

“For the first time, I am seeing exactly how to do the things I keep reading about or see “snippets” of in other videos. Kelly explains and demonstrates each and every step, making it easy and enjoyable to do my weavings. She’s real, and down to earth. She’s not trying to “impress”, or show off her skills like I have seen in other videos. I truly do recommend Kelly Casanova to any and all who wish to enhance their Textile and Fibre Arts.“

Pamela

You can also gift memberships to others, simply contact me for more information.

Well, I certainly hope this Gift Guide has inspired you and something (or somethings) have caught your eye.

Whatever your are doing during this festive season, I pray that you be blessed with peace and joy and surrounded with love ❤️🎄🙏🏻

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

There and back again

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Well, it was a wonderful 3 weeks away, first in New Zealand, then in 2 different Australian coastal locations. I’ve never spent so much time away from home at once, and while I was glad to get back home, (to my looms!) it was a very adventurous and relaxing time. Getting away really helps to clear thoughts and look at things from a different angle too.




In the last week of our holiday, we had bucketing rain for 5 days. At first it was disappointing to not be able to get out to the beach and hiking as we normally would, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise. It forced us to just relax and enjoy the peace of the home and surrounding property. One of my favourite things each morning was to wake up and throw open the bedroom window. I would breathe in the fresh, clean air, observe the native birds and the sounds of a rooster crowing somewhere nearby. If I was lucky, I would spot a wallaby going about it’s business. It’s such a simple thing, to open a window early in the morning, but I don’t do that here, in the suburbs, where throwing open the window exposes you to noise and unpleasant, odorous, unclean air.




So now we’re home and back into the routine and the regular work. House work, homeschool, my husband’s job, my weaving related work and everything in between. We continue to work hard and move towards our goals, hopes and dreams. We continue to hope that the property in the country that we dream of will become available, and that it will be within our budget. I will continue to grow this little business in hopes that it will help us achieve those dreams.


The ideas never stop flowing, so that is not a problem at all! I just completed a free Youtube class for my Moroccan Dream Scarf, which is a pattern I gift to new email subscribers. Next up is to begin the follow up to my Introduction to Floor Loom weaving class. I have been in the planning stages of this for a while and can’t wait to get started filming. The class will include an optional sampler for those who need the extra practice, plus a project that I think you will love.



With Christmas fast approaching we are busy attending end of year parties, award ceremonies and concerts. It is a busy but very special time of year as everyone seems to be breathing a big sigh of relief and looking forward to some rest and family time (here in Australia we have 4 weeks of school holidays as it’s Summer). My husband has to work over Christmas, as he works in the health care industry, but we will make the best of it and enjoy the time we do have together as a family. The children are anticipating the annual tradition of my gingerbread church, they love to see me bake and assemble it as much as they love to eat it. My husband often makes a traditional Scottish Clootie Dumpling, which is also a much anticipated feature of our family festivities. 





Years ago, I reached a point where I realised that I was completely caught up in the pre Christmas rush. I was stressed and trying to do too much. I made a conscious decision that from then on, Christmas was going to be quiet and relaxing. I would focus on Jesus, because without Him, there is no Christmas. The day of celebration is for Him, and what right do I have to be worldly and think it is all about me? Well, it worked. I accept that the lead up to the day is going to be more busy than usual, but it need not be stressful. Our Christmases are peaceful, restful and worshipful. 



It can be hard amongst all this activity to find the time to weave, so, as I’m always telling my students to do, I am making time to weave. Time waits for no man (or woman), so we creatives need to be clever and make the time work for us. Last night I got out my inkle loom and worked at the band that has been on there for way too long, so that it’s now almost finished. Small, constant steps can give big results! I hope you’re making time to weave and be your creative self too! 


You will be hearing from me again soon, so until then, Happy Weaving!

Weaving for Christmas

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My favourite time of the year is coming and what better way to celebrate the festivities than by weaving for family, friends and your home!


I have quite a few free video tutorials to get those creative juices flowing:
                                                Christmas Table Runner
 
Christmas Bunting

I hope these inspire you to add some beautiful hand woven

Christmas cheer to your home or someone else’s!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

🎄 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄