PORTLAND FLEECE WOVEN BLANKETS

My latest two blankets. This 100x145 on a 120 Ashford Rigid Heddle loom using a 2.5 heddle and home spun of about Aran weight.

I used my rug shuttle which proved to be very much better than a stick shuttle to manage both in less reach and it doesn't cause floaters.

This was a similar blanket I made previously but using a 5 heddle and the same yarn. I preferred the one with 2.5 heddle.

Using the sheep and globe as weights I twisted the fringes.

Good to compare the weaves with the previous one.

I started off slaying the loom intending to do a double weave but it was far too crowded to get a decent shaft. I threw half the warp threads behind the loom while I wove half of it, I then carefully wound each warp thread and put in a box for later and with a bit of ingenuity was able to re-use the remaining warps.

In reverse order I split the batt in four lengthwise and then each in half. I then droughted each one into a much thinner sausage.

Portland worked very well on my drum carder making it a pleasure to spin.

I prepared each lock on hand carders ( yes I know I could have spun from the lock but I am not very good at doing that)

This is a collection of skeins spun and washed.

 One bobbin spun and plyed.