Finally started to hem the green place mats. There are 14, I think, with 8 promised to someone. I won’t have them ready before I see that person next week, but it feels good to at least see progress happening on them.
This particular linen yarn was a bit different, made up with naturally coloured fibre, and some dyed, so it has a ‘marled’ effect. It isn’t a ‘solid’ blue/green. It was also spun ‘nicely’ considering the fibres were apparently different in length. It had good twist, and the slub effect was not extreme so the yarn beat in nicely.
I wasn’t sure about using Summer and Winter as a weave structure because of the slubby nature of the yarn, but was pleasantly surprised when they were wet finished and pressed. The cloth has a lovely quality to it. Firm, but not overly stiff. The cloth lies flat and the motif is quite crisp, better on the ‘back’ side than the front. But I am hand hemming the mats, and frankly, the owner will be able to use them on which ever side they prefer.
I’ve taken this photo before the finishing press, but it looks pretty good and I wanted to share them because I’m pleased enough with them.
They turned out a bit longer than planned, but all that means is that there is plenty of room on the mat for the plate, cutlery and a beverage, and you can still see the cloth. Not everyone wants that large a mat, but some people do, so I didn’t get too bothered about the longer length. Besides there are only 14.
The last of the tow linen is now being woven, although weaving has been dialed back as I continue to try a find a way forward to improve my physical fitness, and hopefully pain levels. I have some ‘new’ exercises to do, and the first night I nearly cried – it hurt so much and I was not able to do more than two repeats, and those, badly. The second night I was able to do two repeats, and the motion was more ‘fluid’ (although that word is a bit optimistic!).
Last night I was able to do 3 repeats, and was able to complete them with further improvement on the motions. So, I am cautiously hopeful.
I told the physiotherapist a couple of weeks ago that I understood ‘therapeutic pain’ and that I was not going to give up, that I would keep coming. Because the only way out is through.
Or, as Winston Churchill is supposed to have said “If you are going through hell, keep going.”
I bought the fridge magnet (literally!) and remind myself every day to keep going.
Today I am going to head to the loom soon and do one session. Like the physiotherapist said – if you can only do one, start there.
Onwards…
Green place mats, front and back
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