Weaving involves a lot of calculations. So many, that it often seems like there are more calculations than there is actual weaving. Even after you calculate, it’s still one big experiment that could turn out fantastic, or crash and burn. One such type of weaving experiment is collapse weave.

Collapse weave is essentially weaving with fibers with different levels and/or directions of twist. Once the woven piece meets water, the yarns with more twist shrink, causing the other yarns to pucker.

This past weekend I attended the Conference of Northern California Handweavers with my primary focus being to take Peggy Osterkamp’s class on collapse weave. It was a great session to learn all the calculations and tips and tricks. It was amazing to flip through all of Peggy’s samples* (like the one above) and see so many beautiful projects using this technique. It has opened my brain to so many ideas…

And of course resulted in a rather abundant yarn harvest! I can not wait to test out this technique and see what comes of the ideas floating in my head.

*Peggy Osterkamp is my weaving hero. The guru that I seek when I’m stumped or have a question, or when I have an idea that I want to talk through. Someday soon I hope to dedicate a proper blog post about her work and why I seek her influence in mine. In the meantime, have a look at her gallery here.

A couple of months ago I attended the Craftcation conference in Ventura, CA. It was an amazing weekend to learn all about the handcrafted business and meet fellow crafty entrepreneurs. One of the many fabulous people I met was Deborah of Percolating Design, whose home base is right here in San Francisco. Her shop is filled with clever “purl” necklaces in a beautiful array of colors. I just love this color combination in the photo. I’m always a fan of stacking, and I think this grouping would look great with a blazer and jeans.

All of the pieces are hand knit and assembled and come in limited editions. Everything is made to order, so you can specify exactly what arrangement you want – from a single strand to multiple strands. (See examples here.) Her shop is offering free shipping until 6/30. Happy shopping!

Best of luck to Deborah on her new endeavor!

I have one paradisi scarf left. Although it’s not taking up a whole lot of room in my studio, I’d rather it be keeping the chill off of someone’s neck  than sit on a shelf. It is currently on sale for $160. Order today and I will ship it in time for Mother’s Day! The store is here.

photo by Lane Kennedy

One of the first group of ladies I met when I moved to the west coast was the San Francisco Mompreneur’s. They’ve been a support group, a feedback forum, and overall, a very interesting group of people. I am absolutely delighted to be featured (particularly since it is also my birthday month) as the May Mompreneur. You can read the entire interview and catch a glimpse of a day in the life with one of my two children here.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Today I did a little photo shoot of a scarf I am donating for a fundraising event this evening. I’m looking forward to getting more of these off the loom! I just might release a few more this summer…

I’m not usually attracted to yellow but lately the color keeps popping out at me. Orange and yellow combinations make me happy – however I was tickled to trip upon the soft yellow and dark pink combination today!

My loom is quiet this week as I finish up a big project for my daughter’s school. This project has me doing all sorts of crafts out of my comfort zone, one of them being sewing. I only have to sew 8 hems, but it’s gauze and I’m terrified. That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so the saying goes. Perhaps I should read the machine manual first.

I love my scarf…and wear it all the time!!! I get lots of compliments on it too, people touching the tassels.  Don’t touch!

I’m always happy when I see an email from Ursula of Modaspia in my inbox. It made my day even better to receive a photo of her wearing her elderberry scarf. XOXO right back!