It's June Fool's Day!

But this is no foolin'.  Here's the first of what will hopefully become a parade of finished objects this summer.  I started this weaving project last year, and for many reasons, after one or two loom sessions, I put it down and didn't pick it up again until this weekend.  I met Artistic A-- at a coffee house here in town, and just sat down and wove until I had an approximate square.  When I got home, I did a hem stitch along each warp edge to finish, then cut the piece off the loom.

Yes, the fringes are slightly uneven.  But I like it this way.  I'm particularly proud of this hem job as it's even and effective.

You can tell where I left off last year (note the uneven edge) and where I picked up again last week.  Somewhere in between, I got the hang of creating an even edge, although if I had to do it again today I'm not sure I could.  Almost immediately, I laid this woven square on top of our entertainment center and put a decorative thing (it's a candle holder shaped like a branch with a bird on it) on top of it.  So, my first loom-woven bit has a function and a place.

A few months back, I bought a second reed for my heddle, this time with a smaller dent so I can use a finer yarn for a warp.  My idea is to use a multicolored warp that will be long enough to use as a scarf, and a single-colored weft that will be loosely woven.  I have a couple of handmade but purchased examples, and I raided the scrap bin at the Yarn Barn of Kansas last year to put the materials together to make one of my own design.

But first, I will finish the White Caps Cowl.  Even though I probably have enough yarn to do two more repeats of the cotton section, I think I have done enough Stockinette Knitting In White to get me through the summer.  Therefore, I'll finish the section I have currently begun, and then finish off with an expanded silk tape yarn section -- long enough to make the stripe and then roll for the hem.  I even have a nice cotton top to wear it with right away.

But for now, it's off to the office to get some work done.