Studying Textiles in Scotland: Threading a HUGE Historic Loom, Exploring Edinburgh, Dyeing Wool Yarn

[@marinamartinez6886]

First of all I love that Scottish Thistle shawl, perfect for the Isles cold weather. I felt your pain threading that loom, time really flies and you just want to start weaving. You are doing great, see you on your next vlog. 👍😊

[@annedenham4262]

Oh my goodness. That’s my old workplace. I was Print Room Grace’s predecessor. I worked at HW/Scottish College of Textiles from 1970 until I retired in 2012. Some of the equipment you used in the dye and print rooms were things that I purchased 30 years ago and are still going strong. The blue trays were being sold as cat litter trays when I bought them 😂. The weaving shed was three times the size when I started and was located in what is now the campus library. I was a weave designer in one of the many local textile mills before I moved to SCOT and eventually moved into Printbwhich I loved. It was a wonderful working environment and I have remained in contact with many former students and regularly catch up with ex colleagues over coffee and cake. Best wishes for your future textile career.

[@AmazingJane137]

That’s really wonderful to hear.

[@teacat55]

1200 ends. I will NEVER complain about threading the Baby Wolf ever again.

[@TamarLitvot]

1400 -- so even worse! When I do full width of my Mighty Wolf, I don't have that many ends (I think about 800 is my top number).

[@deniseengel1451]

Wow! 1400 ends. I applaud you for getting all that on your loom. I am enjoying your Scottish adventures.

[@CarrieMtn]

This episode was full of smiles. It made me want to thank your parents. They either gave you awesome teeth genes or paid for a good orthodontist. Either way- you have a lovely smile. What a gift that keeps on giving!

[@pauladavitt7554]

I’m new to your channel and I’ve been binge watching all your previous videos. It was your Scottish yarn festival video that led me to you. I’m an Edinburgh lass and I may be ever so slightly biased but we do have a fantastic castle. I loved those purple yarn samples. I’ve even ordered a wee weaving loom to try.

[@spindletreestudiovideos]

Hurrah, a new weaver!

[@TamarLitvot]

1400 ends is a lot. And finer ends are harder to thread. I'm guessing you were at about 40 epi (or 16 ends per cm?). For the weavers in your audience, could you talk about the loom a little -- type, size, how many shafts you're using. I'm also wondering why there don't seem to be other weavers in the room and most of the looms are empty.That makes me kind of sad. Looking forward to seeing you weave!!

[@mjbee2785]

You’re amazing. 1400 ends!!! That’s a massive warp.

[@lisagay-pt2nv]

Can't wait to see what comes off of a 16 harness loom. Love the scarf pattern and color.

[@resourcedragon]

I love your thistle shawl, it looks great! There is a part of me that says that weaving looks way too much like hard work! 1,400 (or was it 1,450?) ends is a lot and tends to confirm my suspicion. Well done you for finishing the job. I do hope we see your mini-skeins in action once they are ready to go.

[@olgaw5082]

I love your videos so much!! Your channel is one of the reasons why I decided to study textile design and I cannot tell you how amazing it is to finally understand fully all the terms you’re using in the video 😂😂😂😂 lots of love❤

[@lucyford8251]

Love your videos!! So many memories. So much has changed yet much still the same. I was there from 1981-1985. Bet my loom is still in the weave room, but not my lecturers. Would love to go back. So many great friends and great memories....Enjoy every minute!! 😊

[@RhymingMime]

That huge shawl seems extremely cozy. Your hair looks so cute in your beret!

[@bluewolfwalking]

Wow-what s piece of equipment that steamer was!

[@marinamartinez6886]

Yes, I've never heard of that process.

[@marjorie8648]

🌸🌷Loved this, Andrea. I’d never seen a loom being set up. You have patience and stick- at-it-ness in abundance. And the mini skeins are fabulous. Thank you for sharing such fascinating things and even more thanks for your cheery smiles!🌷🌸🌷🌸

[@moxielouise]

Love that acid dye palette so so much!

[@cerwelt]

Can’t imagine that many warp threads. Loving my tiny rigid heddle loom. I’m betting you’re back home in NY and Scotland is a pleasant memory. So thrilled for a new video. They’re never long enough but that just cuz I love hearing all of your adventures. God bless Nana Cherry 🍒

[@janemarriott3389]

I knew setting up a loom was a physical challenge but WOW 😮

[@meganmccarthy8114]

The way I felt seeing that long shot of the warp all stretched out, I'm assuming it's the way other people feel when they see someone make a good, um, pass(?) in football or something. Pure exhilaration.

[@AndreaAlexander]

You totally made my day, I love this 🤣❤

[@Floras_Fiber_Farrago]

So impressed with that warp! Also the dye studio set up is giving great mad scientist vibes. Love it!

[@wheel181]

Wow! What size thread is that? I have a friend that has been working on a weaving project for 9 months that is 60/2 silk. 8 harness loom. I think she said hers was around 1200 ends. She got in a car accident when she first started, so that set her back a good bit! But she has had so many issues with the warp because it is so FINE! Of course, she can take her time, thus the time frame. You inspire me. The most I have ever threaded was around 900. But it was 8/2 cotton! I am too old to try that super fine yarn.😄I am enjoying your Scottland adventure. Kudos! 😊

[@angelapadman162]

You rock that frog jumper ... I have frog envy!!!!

[@jeannettesalazar6442]

Alexander love your creativity, your work is amazing and I love you, always waiting for your videos. Thank ❤😊

[@capodicasa4038]

That looked exhausting!!

[@spindletreestudiovideos]

Oooh I'm so excited you are going to be doing warp painting, that's something I've been wanting to try. I've got books on ikat and woven shibori too. It's great watching you warp a loom. I have just got a loom and I'm scared to warp it for the first time 😂

[@userpharnorth]

Well done. I have never threaded that many ends. I think I'd be crazy or blind by the end. The splatter dyes looked like fun. Keep up all the good work. Can't wait to see what you weave.

[@Liz.Green789]

Well done! Dyeing looks like a lot of fun. I took a short class with a dyer in Florida in 2018, I think. What a great class. I look forward to seeing how the weaving turns out. The colors look good so far. Thanks for another great report!!

[@mishkalarsoncreations]

I love that shawl and the design is amazing. Would love to have the pattern.

[@MrThom8804]

If you ever run out of content.... or want something short to do you should do a compare/contrast of the different looms that you have used over your schooling adventures. How you feel about this huge honking loom vs the AVL workshop loom vs Saori etc etc etc.

[@Julia-zj2ch]

My goodness, girl!! That was A LOT of threading. You did a fantastic job with such fine yarn. I couldn't see any warp separator paper or sticks when you rolled it all onto the back beam? Hmm. Your thistle shawl is so very beautiful. You look cute with your bangs pulled back, but if you prefer bangs on your forehead you have the skill to trim them yourself. No doubt. Edinburgh looks amazing. I need to move to Scotland. ☺

[@bgbaltuth]

Really hard work . I think you're crazy, but glad too that you are doing this beautiful craft! I am just a knitter. And I love Scotland.

[@taken-for-pomegranted]

I knew direct warping a floor loom beam was a thing people did, but this is the first time I've actually seen someone do it.

[@jacquelinemcgowan8164]

love the shawl glad to see you again missed you, hope all is well for you please take care xxxx

[@DAYBROK3]

winding a warp and threading the loom is what takes the most time. i am weaving a baby blanket i made my warp almost too big.

[@rebeccazegstroo6786]

My Mighty Wolf sits idle while I spend all my time with a new craft love - machine embroidery. While weaving a person can feel connected to history, ancestors, and natural products. Machine embroidery is fun. You can make all kinds of images on fabric plus free standing lace and constructions. However, electricity is required for the machine and for a computer. The most commonly used thread is plastic, polyester, and yards and yards are wasted. Every time I change colors I toss a length because it is cut at the spool and pulled out from the needle side so it doesn't go backward through the tensioners, a bit less than a foot. Makes me feel like one of the heedless, profligate moderns. (Not giving it up, just wondering if there is some way to put those ends to use) Loom waste can be used for odd jobs, tying skeins of yarn, tying up anything, even tied together and used as weft for something textured.

[@kathrynblack9152]

At 2:45 that's a stone wall, not an iron fence (says the retired engineer). Your sketches are much better than mine.

[@teacat55]

So now watching again, I wondered how many yards of this warp did you end up with woven and have you used any of the cloth in another project?

[@prettypanda]

Yay! Also did you hear about the recent drama with saori on /craftsnark? I saw that yesterday and wondered what your thoughts were about it since I learned what saori was from your channel

[@teacat55]

Oh no.

[@TamarLitvot]

I haven't heard about this! Just went over there and I see it's the Saori company becoming even more purist. i love Saori weaving but I don't love the company.

[@jasminecoles7575]

I too make this face 😣 when I have to pin my bangs up lol

[@lavendercottagefibrearts]

in solidarity with you i decided to do something very tedious while watching this video - unpicking about 200 stitches of a bind off where i lost yarn chicken, and tinking one row of ribbing so i've got enough yarn to bind off the whole sweater.

[@deboraharmstrong3002]

Weaving is so much fun....or not. I love spinning. But the loom and I have a relationship that can best be described as ... Fraught. I think my biggest warp was about 600 threads at 12 -- 15 epi. Sadly, at this point in my life, attempting to do this would result in me being carried out with my face covered Eek

[@lauriedunn6198]

1400 ends!!! I take breaks when I do 200

[@kristalburns3490]

Here I was complaining over 3 inches of knitting. Ah perspective.

[@joelenehammers8486]

Hopefully, you are able to listen to music or an audio book so you don't zone out too much. I know one has to pay attention to what you are doing. Just was wondering.