Thursday, July 30, 2015

Is thread yarn and a new toy..................

I am wondering if you consider crochet thread to be yarn?  I mean it can be used for making similar things but is it really the same?  Because if it is I have officially gone off my yarn buying ban in a big way.  I have not bought any yarn in seven and a half months, that is like a lifetime to me, and I would really like to stay on track with that.  Crochet thread is not something I have ever purchased and there is a big reason for all of this recent thread purchasing (there is a lot more of this hiding under my craft table).


Can you guess what it might be?


My dear friend Beth P contacted me a few weeks ago asking me if I would be interested in her Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom and Stand.  Beth's loom is a wonderful 32 inches wide, as opposed to my 20 inch wide, Ashford Knitter's Loom.  You see Beth talked to me in detail about my loom purchase a year ago before I bought it.  She told me not to buy a loom that was going to be too narrow.  I thought for sure that nothing I would ever want to make would be wider than 20 inches.  How wrong I was.  Very soon after I bought my loom, I realized my error.


Beth knew something that I didn't as a very novice weaver, that the width of a project is always narrower than the width of the loom, sort of like the Zick Zack Shawl in my last post.  My loom is great to make things like scarves and table runners, but not so great for a blanket, place-mats and wider projects like big shawls or even napkins.   Beth had not ever even used her loom and was offering it to me at a wonderful price.  I had to grab it when I had the opportunity.  I thought that even if I didn't use it anytime in the near future, I would have it when I actually had time to weave.  The loom arrived last weekend, and this week I put it together.  It is gorgeous.


Somebody else was very busy with his tools while I was assembling the loom and the stand.  I absolutely love the stand.  I do not have a stand for my Knitter's Loom, but I am thinking of saving my pennies to buy one.  It makes it so much more portable, and so much easier to weave in various places in and out of the house (well that is when the weather gets nicer).


  While I thought about saving this loom for a time when I actually had time to weave, like any new toy I had to get it all set up and ready to play with right away.


Now you can understand why I bought the thread.  I was thinking of  making thin, woven place-mats and had no idea about what to order online as far as weaving yarns that are sold on a cone.  So I decided to make a trip to Joann's with my 20% off coupon.  Not only did I get a LOT of thread at 20% off, most of it was in the clearance bins so I was able to get this all for a steal!  For that reason alone I am not considering it yarn, because it isn't adding to my yarn stash, I am just starting a thread stash!  I mean thread is thread, and yarn is really yarn.


I have no idea how these place-mats will turn out, I have a plan in my head but it could all go drastically wrong as this thread is acrylic and it is a bit slippery.  It is a learning experience and I am having fun so that is what really matters.  Beth also sold me a Boat Shuttle and a Bobbin Winder, I have no idea how to use these so I am using my plain old wooden shuttle sticks for now.  Wish me luck with my new toy much wider loom.


Oh, and somebody I know wants to blow you a big kiss, did you catch it?

45 comments:

Betsy said...

I caught it! I'm an expert kiss catcher because Miss Piper sends them to me several times a day. He is so cute Meredith. I would be kissing that little face ALL of the time.
I love your new loom, but most importantly the colors you've chosen for your first project. Purple in any shade is my favorite color of all colors. And you're exactly right. Yarn is yarn and thread is thread! Have fun with your new toy!
Blessings my friend,
Betsy

Pammy Sue said...

Very interesting! I still have no idea how a loom works. I love the thread you bought to weave. I do not consider thread to be yarn. It's in two different buckets in my mind, although both are equally addicting! I can't wait to see what your project turns out to look like. Love those colors. Glad you are having fun!

linda said...

Yes I did and I'm blowing him one right back! Congratulations on acquiring a new loom Meredith, what fun and yes a thread stash is nothing like a yarn stash and at those prices it would have been silly not to buy, have fun! :) xx

Caffeine Girl said...

Caught it! Great kiss.
You definitely did the right thing to buy the loom. Deals like that just don't come along very often, and you know that you like to weave. You'll get plenty of use out of it.
Crochet is not yarn, just as embroidery thread isn't yarn. If I had to could thread in my stash, well, I couldn't do that much math!

Dorothy M. said...

Little Buddy is too cute for words. Hugs and kisses back to him.
Love the colors you are using on your new loom.
Dorothy M.

Dorothy M. said...

Hugs and kisses to your little Buddy. He is too adorable for words! Love your new toy and the colors of your project. Have fun! Dorothy M.

Amy at love made my home said...

Yes, I got the kiss!! It was a really big one! How exciting to have a new loom!! You must be thrilled with it! Cannot wait to see what you make with it!! xx

kathyinozarks said...

Awesome you will love love your new loom-and I love all things made by Ashford-I think it could be called either thread or yarn depending on how you want to use. Kisses back to the little one

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Grandma's who love your blog Meridith are VERY good at catching sweet Buddy kisses. My mom loved weaving but I know so little about the craft. Your looms look wonderful.
Joy

Teresa Kasner said...

I got his sweet little kiss, too. Hug him from his pal in Oregon... well, we're in Boise now for the night and tomorrow we get home! I dont't think of crochet thread as yarn.. so you're safe. Have fun with this wonderful new loom.. I'm so happy for you! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

kristieinbc said...

I caught the kiss, and I think you've caught the weaving bug. 😁

20 North Ora said...

And a big kiss sent back to Little Buddy! That loom looks very interesting! I bet you couldn't wait to get it set up and start weaving. Those are beautiful colors.

Judy

Taci simmons said...

Omg ... He is soooooo adorable!!!
Love your new loom and no thread is definetely NOT yarn otherwise why would they give it a different name ? It would make no sense. I'm with you and I definetely think you are still on your "diet" not to worry my friend.
I miss you and all of you. I just got back from Brazil and left all of the adorable hats for the beautiful babies. Thank you so much again for your generosity. Hope I will be able to post on my blog this weekend and to come and visit you here often.( still with an injured shoulder and frozen shoulder - doing acupuncture now. Hopefully it will work ). Missed you.

Unknown said...

Tell Little Buddy thanks for the kiss....I sent one right back. And thread is definitely not yarn. Have fun with your new loom.

Chris said...

Back atcha little buddy!! How exciting , I love your new loom and I can't wait to see all your new projects! Thread is not yarn so you're safe there. And what a deal, everything was a super good deal so it was meant to be!!

CJ said...

Yes, I caught it, I did. Dear Little Buddy. And bless him for playing so nicely while you explored you new toy. The loom is gorgeous, and of course the thread for such a thing doesn't at all come under the heading yarn, it's a totally new thing so you are exempted from the yarn buying fast. The place mats look lovely, you are so good at weaving. CJ xx

mamasmercantile said...

I caught it, I too am an expert at catching kisses my little gang send them to me daily. How thrilling to have such a great new toy to play with, it looks amazing. Crochet thread is not yarn, go on get back to the shop and buy some more while it is on clearance...you know you want to. Have fun!

Ali said...

Awww sweet boy x your new loom looks amazing and a little daunting (I know nothing about weaving) but looking forward to seeing your placemats. X

WildflowerWool said...

I have a huge amount of that same yarn. I'm taking a weaving class this fall. I'm really hoping that I don't like it!!! But seeing your pictures makes me think that I will!

Janet said...

What a lovely way to start my day, a kiss from Little Buddy. I'm sending him one back. Now about that thread - as you say, yarn is yarn and thread is thread - they are so different and therefore you are not breaking your stash buying ban. No need to feel guilty at all. XXX

Helen said...

Wow the new loom looks great! I love the colours you'vee chosen for the mats - looking forward to seeing the results :) Big hi to little Buddy he is so cute xo

Stins said...

Oh I am so happy to receive a little kiss from little buddy :-)!
You are going to have so much fun with your new loom, it looks great!
Love and hugs, Mirjam.

Claudia said...

Love your new loom, sister! It looks like it was made for that space in your house - you can work and watch Little Buddy at the same time. Don loved talking to him last night! And I can't WAIT to see him! Soon.

xo
Claudia

Babajeza said...

Yes, I did! :-) Wonderful loom. Weaving is on my bucket list. Have a nice weekend! Kisses from Montreal. Regula

Home Meadows said...

What a sweetie! Your new loom looks like fun and I love the colors in the thread. Can't wait to see what you end up making. Have fun with your new project and new loom. Heather

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Got the kiss and blew one back! Love your loom, and thread is thread, not yarn! (I'm such an enabler). Have fun with it!
hugs,
Linda

Mrs. Micawber said...

Thanks for the kiss, LB - I needed one just now so yours was perfectly timed! Here's one back at ya....

Oh gosh Mere, the loom is gorgeous. I saw some small rigid heddle looms in the WEBS catalogue and boy were they tempting. It helps that they're all made from such lovely satiny wood.

Good luck with your new toy. I mean tool. Looking forward to seeing how the project comes out!

P.S. I don't know if thread counts as yarn. Probably not. So go ahead and buy some more. :D

kathy b said...

Thanks for the kiss Lil B!!!

You needed a new toy! Just the ticket for your soul!

While I haven't officially been on a yarn diet, I have been quite good about knitting as soon as I get the yarn. My stash is quite small now after culling and donating in Winter.
I only have leftover sock yarns which I am using for a baby blanket
and a few whole skeins, under 7 with no plans. Not too bad.

Im emailing a picture to Lil Buddy

Vera said...

THanks for the kiss little buddy -- sending hugs and kisses right back at you. He is just way too cute Meredith! And your new toy/loom is wonderful. I bet you have great fun with it. Thread is definitely not yarn. Two different items (both of which I have way too much of...). Enjoy your weekend!

Anonymous said...

Holly Cow! Look at you go girl! :D You not only have it all put together but warped and already have weaving on it! I am totally impressed! The loom looks much better in your house than it did mine! :D Ummm, crochet cotton which is what you bought is yarn. It is made with the same cotton fiber as thicker yarn would be it's just spun very fine. It's just called thread to denote the fineness of the spun fiber.

I am so happy to see you using your new loom already and can't wait to see the final project!
Caught that kiss little Buddy! :D Kisses back to you :D
Hugs for now,
Beth

Anonymous said...

Forgot to leave you this link on how to use a boat shuttle, they are much faster than the standard stick shuttle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKMcPMDNYcA It's only about 4 min. long and it's made by Paradise Fibers.

Hugs again and happy weekend,
Beth

Pradeepa said...

Caught! Have fun with your new toy. Good luck with your weaving. I'm eager to see what comes out of your loom.

byhooks4u said...

I would love to give this a try..only I don't know where to start..the only weaving I have ever done was in girl scouts..and that was such a long time ago

elns said...

Oh I love it! Thanks for the sweetness LB! We all send it right back to you! The photo of him working on his wheels while you set up your loom is pretty adorable.

Congratulations on your new loom. I am sure you will enjoy it. I look forward to following your adventures with it and the lovely new things you will create.

Have a good weekend!

Unknown said...

Caught it!
Love the colors and am anxious to see your project. I bought a 32 inch loom with a stand and I couldn't be happier but still no time to really become friends with it. Well, the smaller loom and this new loom will just have to get to know each other until company and house projects are out of my life (not for ever... just a short while). I'm really excited for you. Maybe I'll start again. You inspired me last time so hopefully.....
Love you,
Eileen

moonstruckcreations said...

Love the colours of your THREAD (definitely isn't yarn) :-)

And a big kiss back to LB from this side of the pond!

Helenxx

Lynne said...

I'm sending one right back to Little Buddy with a big squeeze to go with it!
You are going to have a blast with the new loom! Thread and yarn are NOT the same, so go crazy building a thread stash :) I just bought a pile of fabric with my 20% coupon, it was already 30% off to begin with. Can't pass up a deal like that!

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I caught Little Buddy's kiss as well. I could just hug him. Nice loom and love the thread, just like Betsy, I love purple as well. My project was a photo book thru Shutterfly. Got it done this week, thus no posts til tomorrow! Hot today and yesterday and staying home this weekend in the cool a/c house! Get a few things done as well. Take care and enjoy your new "toy". xx

Anonymous said...

Have fun with your new toy! You chose some really beautiful colors to start with.

Thanks for the kiss, Little Buddy! Right back at 'ya!

Jennifer Hays said...

I love those thread colors, Meredith! Purple is my favorite color and I always like it with green. I've been trying not to buy much yarn lately either, but I did order some balls to add to my DK acrylic stash, as well as some #3 crochet thread because I am having so much trouble crocheting with the #10 stuff. It's just too thin and I can't make it come out nicely no matter what I do! The 3 will be more pleasant and maybe I'll actually finish a project with it. :)

Jo said...

Love the kiss. I think your loom is pretty cool too. Looking forward to seeing what turns out. Jo x

Judy S. said...

Got it! Thank you, LB! You deserve a new toy, Mere. Besides, you are making useful stuff with it, right? I've never heard crochet thread called anything but thread, but sure if you're going to weave, you'll need lots of it!

Annie Cholewa said...

Kisses from your darling little man caught here ... it had to be more than one as I'm sitting typing with a not so well whippet's head in my lap and he needed one too.

I LOVE your new toy and it's a good job you can't see how green with envy I am! You are going to have so much fun!

Toni said...

Cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't count thread as yarn--I rarely, rarely knit with it, but I use it for all sorts of sewing projects. Very helpful stuff!

ellen said...

Lucky, lucky you! I am so glad that you were able to get such a lovely loom. You will have so many hours of pure joy using it.
Got the kiss and send more back. I don't think that there is any better tonic than that little guy of yours. Truly, he raises all of our spirits and brings such happiness to so many people. He is beyond amazing.