Who or what is Lotsaknots?

Simply put, Lotsaknots is the company formed by Claudia Segal and Janet Dykstra in 2002 when we realized we were producing more textiles, knitting, weaving, crochet, spinning, than our family and friends could use.  We both enjoyed the creation process and we decided to enter a couple of crafts fairs and sell our stuff.

That's the quick and dirty explanation.  But what's the rest of the story.  Janet and I share a lifelong passion for textiles.  We both learned to knit and crochet at a very young age and have progressed over the years to creating our own designs.  Janet's first knitting project, at age 7, was a sweater.  I started with smaller projects, choosing to outfit all my dolls with hand knit and hand crocheted outfits.  Most fit very poorly but I enjoyed the process and it was fun!

Many, many years later we enjoy creating shawls, sweaters, vests, hats, fingerless mitts, scarves and anything else.  The list is extremely long.  Some things are featured on our website, Lotsaknots.net and we will feature our designs for sale in our Etsy shop soon.

In 2003 I took my first weaving class and was hooked by the third week.  Despite being blind in one eye and having almost no peripheral vision in my other, I love handling the yarn for every process of weaving.  I often find myself daydreaming about the calculations for my next project.

Janet's mother used to say that knitting was her therapy and cost less than a psychiatrist.  We both agree with her and we have the added advantage of working together on most projects.  Since we live together, it's so easy exchange ideas.  Last night, Janet handed me her current warp plan and asked my opinion.

We went downstairs to the studio together and checked out the options for a few additions together.  It's a great system that works well for us.

Our current focus is on weaving baby wraps.  Janet and I are winding the warps together.  Janet has helped me thread and beam the warp and she has worked on every part of the weaving process except actually throwing the shuttle and weaving.  She leaves that to me.  I have been weaving for 10 years now and find each warp, each project has its own thrill.  I love watching the fabric form and thinking about its use and the things that inspired the warp stripes.  It's different for each warp and that's what holds my interest.  Even for 20 yards! or is it 20 meters?  I'll have to check my project sheet and make certain I'm following my own guidelines.

I am almost fanatical about writing everything down on paper.  I'd love to convert to the computer and iWeaveIt is almost good enough for planning my projects.  The project planner is still missing a few essentials.  Hopefully, they will continue to improve this program.  So, for now, I rely on the weaving calculator in Weavolution and my printer.

That's the history of Lotsaknots and an introduction to our studio and weaving.  I have many people to thank for teaching and encouraging me to be a good hand weaver.  Sue Helmken was my first weaving teacher, Tom Knisely from The Mannings has been a teacher and a mentor, Marsha provided transportation and friendship to get me through the early stages.  The list is very long and there are many weavers who has inspired me and have given me guidance.  I am grateful to everyone of them.

Next blog post  I will write more about our current projects and the hand made items on sale in our Etsy shop.

Classes and more

Many new classes are now available at Lotsaknots Studio.  We have developed a new format and most classes are taught 1:1.  This gives the student the benefit of being able to learn more in a shorter time since there are fewer distractions.  

We have added Rigid Heddle Weaving: Using Pick up to create texture.  This class covers the proper use of one or more pick up sticks to create warp and weft floats or both in your project.  We will work on a sample piece and each student will learn how to incorporate the use of pick up sticks in everyday items such as placemats, table runners and towels.  

Another new class is Weaving Fabric on your rigid heddle loom.  This is a class for the advanced beginner or intermediate student who is interested in learning more about various uses of the fabric you can create with your rigid heddle loom.  We will discuss how to plan a project for the right length to create a vest, top or jacket.  You will need basic sewing skills.

In addition, we have created a new kit which will be appearing soon in our Etsy shop, Lotsaknots.  This kit is designed for use with 2 pick up sticks and can be used to make 2 placemats or a table runner.  It can be purchased with matching warp and weft or with a contrasting weft color.  Here is the finished  product with matching warp and weft:  

In this view you can see  the warp floats.  This is similar to the techniques being taught in the Pick up class mentioned above.  This kit will be priced at $25 for 2 placemats and $40 for 4.  

More new kits will be arriving soon.  All kits are designed to be woven on either a rigid heddle loom or a floor loom.  Each description gives details about the width of the loom and size of heddle or reed required to complete the project.

Happy weaving!!

Finished undulating twill

...and on to the purse. I wove the fabric in order to make a purse for a client. I have been struggling with dimensions and design and finally figured it out. I will post pictures soon. I am heading to the studion (down to the basement) to start the lining which will serve as the prototype for the bag.