Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Woven Towels

The woven towels for my friend Lynda's Christmas present are off the loom.  They have been wet down and spread out to dry.  They have been ironed, and then placed over a chair to wait for the photo shoot where they became wrinkled again.  So excuse the massive wrinkles in the pictures, obviously they need a good go at the iron again.   These photos are craptastic (of course the wrinkles don't help much).  I took them when the evening was approaching and the light was getting dim.  Should I have taken them again this morning?  You bet I should, but who has time to take towels all over the place for a proper photos shoot, waiting for the perfect moment for them to behave?


I used Peaches & Cream yarn bought at the dreaded Walmart.  I have to say I like Sugar & Cream yarn much better, I think it is thicker but that may be totally my imagination. 


Each towel is 19 x 17 inches and made with alternating stripes.  Now next time I make these I will make them a little longer, I had some extra warp at the end so they could have been a good 21 x 17......ah well, live and learn.
 

I also made her two dishcloths with another one on the way.  


I hope she likes this present.  At least she will know I was thinking about her as I made them.  Lynda has recently visited and met Little Buddy.  She is my friend who lost her husband this past Spring, all while she was moving into a smaller home, and figting breast cancer herself.  I want to make her things she will use, not give her more things for her to try and fit into her smaller home.  We all have so much, don't we?  I plan on knitting her a pair of slippers and hopefully a hat to add to her presents stash.


There was a little bit of warp  on the loom and I hated to waste it.  I am not sure what this is as it is 9 x 17........hmmmmmmm maybe it looks good just like this, a simple table topper with flowers on it.

Today it is all about Little Buddy and his appointments.  We are headed to the Children's Hospital to get an MRI, and to see his pediatric neurosurgeon for a routine check-up.   It is a long drive for him and a long morning for me.  As soon as we get back home I turn around and drive right back in that direction for work.  So today I will be spending a lot of time in the car and waiting rooms with a very wiggly boy.

What is in store for you?

39 comments:

Gillian said...

The towels are gorgeous, as are the matching dishcloths. Of course no-one has time to move towels about the house trying to get the perfect picture! I don't for sure!! My day is almost half over - it's early afternoon now. So I just have to get through the rest of the working day, home for dinner (dreaded commute in the dark and probably rain again) and then I'm off out to my crochet class. Hooray for crochet!!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love the colors of the towels and washcloths! I love how you know that someone needs things they will use when living small!! Hope your long day goes well.
hugs,
Linda

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Hey Meredith, love the tea towels, they are really pretty. And the leftover piece looks great on your table. I love those flowers, alstromerias ?
Why is Walmart dreaded ? We have Asda, it is owned by Walmart, I shop there as it's very local and very cheap but (at the risk of sounding snobby) you do get a rather , ahem , interesting choice of customer (interesting in their manners, language etc). But they don't sell yarn! Probably just as well.
I must say, you are making me really fancy having a loom. Must start poking round the internet for info on that.
I think you're addicted to dishcloths and washcloths by the way. Hope the hospital trip is relatively smooth. I'm still feeling sorry for myself with stupid cold, ah well, am sure it won't last much longer :)
Jillxo

Kris said...

Oh my gosh Meredith, I love this gift!! And so will your friend!!!! Love the towels!! Such a cute dishcloth too!!
Good luck today with Mr. Wiggles!!
XO Kris

millefeuilles said...

Goodness Meredith, your tea towels and dishcloths are completely lovely! Your friend will be so delighted and yes, I agree, we do all have to much stuff. Simple, small gifts are the best.

GOOD LUCK with your appointments today. Wriggly little boys - and girls - are very cute but quite tiring too! :-) You really are a wonderful mother.

Stephanie

Pat Mofjeld said...

Do you mind sharing where you got the pattern for these washcloths? Thanks. :-)

linda said...

They are lovely Meredith and the dishcloths are so pretty she will love her gift I'm sure. Good luck with all the appointments. :)

Crafty in the Med said...

Absolutely gorgoeus Meredith and I love the colours. I think I might use them for table mats instead of towels they are so nice!! The wash clothes too! I´m sure your friend will really appreciate all you make for her.

keep well

Amanda xx

Pammy Sue said...

Meredith, that is such a sweet gift! It all looks so cute. Those potholders look great with the towel. A hand-made towel is so cool. Pretty little vase of flowers too!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Those towels and dishcloths are the perfect gift. Handmade is from the heart so I am sure Lynda will appreciate them greatly. Good luck with all the time in the car. Hugs and blessings, Tammy

Acorn to Oak said...

I totally understand not taking more time for more pictures. Photographing and blogging are very time consuming. Your towels look great...even with a few wrinkles. You've made such a pretty, useful, and sweet gift! I bet she's going to love it. I like seeing some handwoven towels made with Peaches n Cream. I've been thinking about making some with Sugar n Cream or Handicrafter Cotton but wonder if they'll be absorbent. The towels I've knitted with it are not. But, I'm not sure if it has to do with them being knitted and that a flatter/woven surface might work better. I guess I'll never know until I try. Right? I really need to get something on my loom again. Life is just so busy and the days go by so fast! Good luck with your day! :-)

moonstruckcreations said...

Oh.My.Goodness. These are beautiful Meredith, such a wonderful gift for your friend.

Hope all goes well with LB and that he isn't too wriggly!

Helenxx

Maureen said...

Love the towels! Your friend will surely love them too. I understand the problems of getting a picture; mine today are not true colours since its a grey day out there.

CJ said...

Wonderful weaving, and the dishcloths are lovely too, your friend is very lucky. I have a little hospital time in my future as well, tomorrow, but with a bigger less wriggly boy. It's never fun though is it. I hope it goes smoothly for you and your little buddy. CJ xx

Amy at love made my home said...

They all look really great and I am sure that your friend will love them a lot!! Really sure!! I know what you mean about the photo shoots, this morning I was taking pictures and I knew that they wouldn't be what I really wanted, but as you say, toting things around the house just isn't practical is it - especially when it was bowls of dried fruit that I was taking pictures of!! xx

kathy b said...

Well I LOVE the peaches colored wovens and I LOVE the dishcloths . So pretty.
Poor buddy in an MRI machine. Is he sedated I hope?
Do you get to go in and hold his hand?

For today: My retirement luncheon. So much fun.

Teresa Kasner said...

Your towels and washcloths are PERFECT gifts, you are so nice. Sounds like a busy time for you. All I did was swim with Gracie today - which is all I could muster up for after the busy last several days. Take care of yourself. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Mrs. C said...

You did a beautiful job on the towels and the dishcloths! :)

Carla from The River said...

Beautiful work!!
Prayers to you on your busy day.

xx oo
Carla

RURAL said...

Those are simply gorgeous!!! Wow, they are nice, she is going to love them, and most likely will not want to use them because they are so beautiful.

What a darling gift, seriously in love with them.

Jen

My Garden Diaries said...

Beautiful towels for her!!! I am with you on getting things that people need and will use! Seriously....they are stunning! Ha and I hear you on the photo shoot for your towels!!! Time is a hard thing to come by but I think your photos turned out great! Hope today went well for you both with all of the appointments!! Beautiful Thursday to you guys! Nicole xo

Chris said...

I love the tea towels and the matching dish cloths, they are lovely! I think that's such a great gift, perfect for a new home for your dear friend. I am sure your friend will think of you every time she uses them. I might just have to get a loom too! You have the busiest days of anyone I know.! Keep well my friend

Gracie Saylor said...

I love the gifts you have made, Meredith, and I am certain she will, too. Hope you are resting tonight after your busy day. After posting this morning I swam for an hour and then got the bunnies hopping off to NY to my grandsons. Now I am bracing myself waiting for our predicted ice-sleet-snow weather to blow in :) xx

Anonymous said...

Lovely dishcloths, they go nicely with the tea towels. Beautiful colours too.

Ana BC said...

Awesome idea, Meredith. Love these cotton towels. You are making me want to weave ;-)

gaia said...

the towela are gorgeous ; I am sure your friend will love them..
Gaia.

Caffeine Girl said...

Of course, she'll like that gift. Why wouldn't she???? They are gorgeous.

It's interesting that you prefer Sugar and Cream. I've always heard that Peaches and Cream is better, but I've never actually used it.

Anonymous said...

I am a strong believer in a useful gift, your woven towels and wash cloths are so lovely, I'm sure your friend will feel the love that was put into every stitch.

I hope Little Buddy didn't get too distressed and fidgety with all his appointments at the hospital.

elns said...

The towels and dishclothes are wonderful. They are a wonderful gift. I hope you and LB get some rest after a busy morning (that's just the morning right? sheesh.)

Today, I'm going out for oysters and some catch up with a good pal of mine after work. Then I will come home for the full report of school and soccer during tuck-in.

Ingrid K. said...

hi Meredith,

The woven towels are so pretty, lovely colours and pattern! I'm sure they will come in very useful!

Hope your day went ok with LB and his checkup!!!

It's 11pm and I just got home from my Dutch lessons. It's getting much colder now, waiting for the the late bus is no fun!!!

I had a really long day, making lots of things which I enjoyed.
It's great to have a bit of extra energy, though I'm worried I might catch a cold before long!!! :(

Hugs!!
Ingrid xx
http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

Helen said...

What lovely gifts! The towels are beautiful and match the facecloths so well I bet they will go down a storm! Hope all went well for Little Buddy, I am still in the midst of writing agony for my thesis but filling my evenings with Xmas crochet which would cheer anyone up I feel :)

Betsy said...

Meredith, what a perfectly lovely gift for your friend. It is such a sweet thought. And I agree, it's so nice to get things that you can actually use. I've been in the process of "decluttering" this year. So much STUFF!
It sounds as if you had a busy day. I hope all went well for you. I made it home last night and it's SO GOOD to be back in my bed, but I'm missing Piper and apparently she's been crying for Gramma. So sad.
Blessings always my friend,
Betsy

Babajeza said...

Very nice gifts and useful. She will be happy. Have a nice weekend. Hugs, Regula

Anonymous said...

Very very pretty! I would like to do that, weaving that is. just lovely. :)

Clare said...

Such a lovely gift the towels are gorgeous seriously impressed, hoppy little B appointment went ok.
Clare xx

Stins said...

Those towels are just perfect! When I was a child I had this little loom and I loved making little things on it...
But not so professional as yours ofcourse !
The best present your friend can get I think...
What a difficult time for her...
Good luck on the appointment with little buddy!
Lots of love from Mirjam.

Suzan said...

The peach is my color!! The set is beautiful!!

Gillian Roe said...

These towels are perfect! And not at all creased, as far as I can see. You're right, life is too short for too much photo staging. It's about the process, anyway. xx

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful towels and dish cloths ! You are so talented ! I never learned to do any of this !