Weekend with Algae Weaving

This weekend I would like to share another weaving project.   I feel a bit deceptive with the title since I am not weaving Algae but weaving wool that was dyed with algae.  (See Weekend with Algae (Spirulina) )

I read a news article this week about a “dangerous” algae bloom in the local reservoir.  This compelled me to finally use the wool I dyed green with algae last February.  Speaking of “dangerous” I didn’t rinse the green wool very well and after spinning it for hours I had green coming out from my nose… umm… more green than usual that is.  I know some people eat spirulina but wonder if it is ok to snort it…    (I did a quick google and noticed it is only dangerous if the spirulina is contaminated… hmmm hope it was not contaminated)

While as you can see I was very conservative with the “green”… I decided to live more on the edge (more  “edgy” than just algae boogers) and do a bit of experimentation with this project.  I wanted to up my “game” a bit by trying some new things on my rigid heddle.

I did a lot searching and landed on something called leno lace.   This is done on the loom by twisting the warp threads.  When you twist the warp threads and run the weft through the twist it leaves holes.   In looking at this initially I wasn’t sure that I liked what I was seeing…   It looks like a bunch of mistakes.

Isabelle who often knows better than I what looks nice said she thought it looked beautiful. (don’t tell her I said that… hate admitting my inferiority) She also told me that I had best not do it all the way up… too busy.  While tempted to do this all the way up just for spite… I decided against it since twisting the warp takes about 10 times longer than just weaving it normally… My lazy side won.

Above is a closer look at the “twisted” warp weaving and you will note that I did this with three “algae” wefts.   I also decided to try to finish the ends differently.   I found a new way using a hem stitch.   You can see that above as well.   It is basically wrap around four then wrap around the same four below then cross back up and repeat.   I am sure you all have got that.  If by chance you didn’t you should go to YouTube and search hem stitch, heddle loom.   (who am I kidding no one could have gotten it by my instructions) 

During the last hem stitches, I was still not sure if I liked the leno lace… or big “gap-y” holes but I actually liked the way the edge was finished off.   It is hard to put so much work into something and not liking it at the end.  Fortunately all of my reservations went away when I finished up the project.

When you take off the work from the loom and wash it the weaves tighten up and the holes become more esthetically appealing.   (Well at least for my eyes)  I also really like the natural cream wool against the algae green… hmm I am very happy with the end result… despite the green nose drippings.

Here are finally pictures…  ( I will let you judge it for yourself)