Looms And No More Room

I made a loom! Although arguably not the most 'professional' looking loom, it's still pretty awesome, and still allows me to weave, which is all that really matters, don'cha reckon? And it cost me next to nothing (I only had to pay for the nails).

To make it, I followed Corvus Tristis' tute (if you count looking at photos and approximating measurements 'following'). It's really simple and takes up hardly any time at all, plus, if your idea of fun is banging things and making loud noises, then it's quite fun too!
First, you need to get two pieces of wood, roughly the same lengh. Or get one long piece and saw it in half. I used a long piece of wood about 2'' by 4''. Sand down the edges so you don't get splinters in it. See how easy it is? I'm even wearing a dress and scarf while doing it.Next, mark out where your nails are going to go. I followed Corvus Tristis' advice and made the markings half an inch apart.
Then - this is where the fun starts - hammer the nails into the wood, at an angle. I think this is possibly so your yarn/thread/stuff stays on better.

Ok, I know it looks like I've just hammered the nails into my floor, but, I haven't. The planks of wood are just a similar colour to the floor.

Oops, I think I missed the photos for the next couple of steps. Anyway, secure your pieces of wood to the floor or table (as far apart as you want the finished piece to be, plus a few more inches. I just guessed the length I wanted), then get your yarn/thread/ stuff and start winding it longways around the nails. I think the professionals call this the 'warp'.

Then, start weaving - over one thread and under the other, then back the other way. I'm not sure if I'm making much sense, you'll get it when you actually start doing it.

Things seemed to go well at first, but then something went wrong and the tension seemed to go awry. I tried to fashion a sort of make-shift heddle too, but it didn't work out too well...sob!
I stopped this piece and cut it off the loom after only about 30 cms, but I've since started another piece. This one has been taped to the top of the coffee table in the living room, so, no usable coffee table right now. Deal with it!

In other news...the car boot sale in Battersea is an evil, evil place. If by double-evil you mean 'getting lots of lovely stuff for not too much money at all!' place, then Battersea is the place to be on a Sunday arvo. Here's a rundown of stuff I purchased -
Box of vintage knitting needles (I think some of them are Bakelite), and a bell-shaped metal gauge, a plastic ruler, a random large safety pin, and a bone crochet hook - the lot for £2! I only wanted the bell-shaped gauge but, hey, a box of needles for £1.50 more? I couldn't resist...and they knew it.

A lovely princessy top that's fairly yellowed with age but has awesome sequinned beading. I'm gonna Napisan it and maybe add a skirt-y bit to it, then it'll probably go into the store. I thought of keeping it for myself but I'm a fatty and can barely squeeze into it...

Here's a close-up of the sequins

Right, I'm not too sure what this is supposed to be, but I got it anyway so I could use it as a lace trimming on some of the stuff I want to make. If anyone has any ideas/suggestions as to what this really is, then leave a comment please. It feels like very old, fine cotton lace and is only about 0.5mm in width.

I got this awesome large pineapple motif doily in the same £1 per item box as that princessy top. Strangely enough, even though I hate eating pineapples (they hurt my tongue!), I actually really like pineapple motifs in crochet. I got those two boxes of hankies from another stall, and that other doily from somewhere else. I'm collecting doilies and hankies for a new project so if anyone has any and wants to get rid of some...you know where to send them!

Close-up of the hankies

A huge bunch of lace and some reels of vintage crochet threads. I've become a little obsessed with covering manky old buttons in fine crochet thread over the last fortnight. More pictures of those buttons in another post. That big wodge of white nylon lace, which probably comes up to about 20 metres, cost me all of 50p.

Like I said, Battersea car boot sale is an evil, evil place. I have hardly any space left in my lil' flat now.