It’s been clear and cold here, with no change in sight for next week. We still have snow but it is getting to be an icy, crusty affair. It’s beautiful – but we’re getting anxious about lack of new snow for skiing and snowshoeing!
Meanwhile, since returning from Seattle at Thanksgiving, I finished up 3 rugs. The first two shown below were done with Pendleton “worms”, a selvage edge trimmed from the sides of the Pendleton blankets as they are being woven (they later bind the edges with a wool cloth edging). I have bags and bags of this stuff in a variety of colors, and this time around with the rug warp I think I will concentrate on using it and playing with the colors.
By the way, I have had several comments from friends/family that I never showed pictures of our new oak floor after it was installed in October. So folks – THAT’S IT in the background of the rug photos below!
Pendleton "worms" - black, white and tan with orange accents
Pendleton "worms" alternating dark blue/purple with brighter colors
The next one was done with 9 colors of cotton corduroys and some lightweight denims. I sequenced the 9 colors by sewing the ends of strips together at the sewing machine – most of the strips were only about 20″ long – and there are 20 repeats of the 9-color sequence in the rug. A lot of work preparing the strips for weaving, but I like the effect.
9 colors of cotton corduroys and denims
I’ve also been spinning some beautiful dyed Blue-Faced Leicester top that I bought from Briar Rose Fibers at the first Sock Summit in Portland, OR. I started this project in Seattle on my HansenCraft minispinner, and I am planning to make a 3-ply yarn which I hope will be enough to knit something for myself. Actually I have finished all the spinning at this point and should be able to get it plied up this week.
Last night we went down to the Confluence Gallery in Twisp for an evening event called “Black Tie Methow Style.” They had fabulous hors d’oeuvres, champagne and a no-host bar. People got dressed up – but with bit of a twist in many cases. Two of our favorite local musicians were playing jazz. I didn’t get the best of pictures, but it was a lot of fun and we got to see and socialize with many friends we hadn’t seen for a while. A nice kick-off to the holiday season!
Twisp of Fate 
Wish we could ship you a little of our white stuff! This is more like what is expected in March, so we are told. We have about 1.5 ft of dry powdery snow acquired every other day or so in the last 5 days.
The floors look beautiful. I will be eager to see how the wool turns out once you have spun it. It has very interesting colors in it. The rugs are wonderful, I especially like the first two (browns and the rainbow one).
Thanks, Sybil! I will post a picture today.