Wednesday 10 December 2014

The Peg Loom Scarf

This is it - the peg loom scarf. Made to be given as a gift along with a crocheted washcloth and Skye soap (see here).


The scarf is woven using a 200g ball of James C Brett Marble Chunky, a lovely soft acrylic yarn. I kept the ball band in a safe place so I could tell you the colour but it's so safe that I can't find it now! Anyway, I'm pretty sure the colour is MC27. A code for the colour doesn't really convey anything. I love it when they actually give the colours a proper name. Names like Loganberry and Ice and Orchid. Of course, the name doesn't always convey the exact colour but I think it helps.

In my opinion the scarf looks really lovely. What you can't tell from the photo is that it is very thick (not a terrible fault, if you want a warm scarf) and also very stiff. No matter how much I try to like it, I just can't.

Now I have two problems. What to do with the peg loom scarf and what to make as another gift.

The first problem shall be solved some day in the future when I think of some other use for this scarf. At the minute I'm considering how to make it into a wall hanging - after some adjusting.

The second has already been solved simply by crocheting another Queen Anne lace scarf using the Stylecraft Alpaca in the beautiful Orchid colour that I had left over from making other gifts (see the link at the start of this post).

My conclusion is that either I still don't know how to weave a scarf that I'm happy with or that a scarf is better knitted or crocheted. Does that mean I've given up on my peg loom? Definitely not. I have plans to make a small rug just as soon as I can get the time.

Have you ever made a scarf on a peg loom? What did you think of it? All comments gratefully received!

It's great to have some new followers. I'm sorry I haven't been able to do much blog reading and commenting this past week or so. Hopefully I'll get more time soon!

All the best for now.



Edited to add: If you want to see details about the peg loom I have then look at this post; near the bottom.

20 comments:

  1. Beautiful scarf ! I've never done a peg loom scarf just knitted scarves.... Yours is so colorful ... Have a nice evening !

    http://woolandcats.blogspot.fr/

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  2. Some years ago I watched someone was weaving with a peg loom, it was real nice. I like the colours and the surface of your scarf and maybe you can close it with a button or brooch instead of a knot. It´s always a joy your handcraft ♥Birgit

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  3. Now this is interesting! IMHO your scarf doesn't look bad at all - on the contrary, I think it's really pretty! Such a shame it turned out thick!
    Unfortunately I can't help you: I've always wanted to learn some loom technique, but I still haven't managed to even try... May I ask you some infos about the loom you used? E.g., did you make it yourself or you bought one? Any suggestions for someone who'd like to try it out? : )
    Wish you a nice evening! xx

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    1. I used a loom I bought from here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennys-Crafts-Soft-Furnishings/185611371589693

      I got a 3' wide loom but they also come 1' or 2' wide. I only used 7 pegs for making the scarf but I'm going to make a rug next and use all the pegs.

      It would be easy enough to make the peg loom - my husband was going to do it but then I just decided to go ahead and buy one ready made as they aren't all that expensive.

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    2. Thank you for the infos! I really want to learn, might be a nice Xmas present... : )

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  4. Oh, Gillian, I'm so sorry this didn't work out for you - it's beautiful. I also love the dishcloths you make. The colors are always so pretty.

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  5. We call them weaving sticks. I use them to make the belt part of my tribal ATS belly dance costumes but I know what you mean about the stiffness. I would knit some sides and make it the bottom and sides of a bag, I think that might work. great to come across your blog. Jo from http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk

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  6. I am afraid that I have no weaving advice! I love the colours of the yarn, but can understand about the stiffness and the not liking something that you have made. That is a hard one isn't it. I hope that you can work it all out to your own satisfaction though! xx

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  7. Hi Gillian! I remember knitting with that James Brett yarn once, it's a bit chunky, isn't it? I think it would be ok for weaving something really sturdy, such as a rug or, like Jo suggested, make a sort of carpet bag?!

    However, for a more flexible scarf I would try out softer and thinner yarns instead.

    Hope this has been of some help?!
    (PS - did you see my other comment I made yesterday - would it be possible for you to email me, please? Thanks!)

    The colourway of that yarn is very pretty, I could imagine it for a cosy blanket!

    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

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    Replies
    1. Hi Ingrid - I sent an email yesterday. Did you not get it? I'll try again.

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  8. I think it looks lovely, such a shame that you're not happy with it. I don't know the first thing about weaving but would it make a difference if you used a thinner yarn?

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    1. The instructions that came with the loom said to use think yarns or even strips of fabric. I think I'll try using a thinner yarn and see what it turns out like.

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  9. I have a peg loom I bought a massive one at a yarn show to make wall hangings and a couple of rugs. I'm one of those people that think a scarf that is woven looks wonderful in beautiful thin yarn. I just don't like the look of it in thick yarns. I made a rug in thick yarn cotton and it looks amazing and the thickness is wonderful for the bathroom. For thick yarns I love a scarf made with a simple garter stitch throughout. Nothing better than a thick knit scarf and in crochet I like it in a dc throughout.
    I think your scarf looks grand. Don't give up.

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  10. Hello Gillian

    There is nothing worse than making somthing then not being happy with it. It's just beautiful but can understand where you are coming from. Maybe Jo is right and you can turn it into a bag, it will be good and sturdy,

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  11. Great colours! Perhaps you can wash it with a lot of fabric softener to make it less stiff?

    Take care
    Anne
    http://crochetbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.de

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  12. Hi Gillian, what a pity that you don't like the result of your doings! The colours of the scarf are really beautiful. But I know what you mean, a stiff scarf is nothing you want to wear around your neck. I would try to use thinner yarn, as well. When I think about the woven scarfs I have seen already, they were all made from real thin yarn, the structure was more like a thin cloth, but warm and soft. Please tell us about your experiences with it. Have a nice weekend, Viola

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  13. The colors of the scarf are amazing, could you use it as a belt or how about sturdy handles for a bag?
    You can never go wrong with a Queen Anne's Lace scarf, they are always beautiful.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  14. I've just used the same wool to crochet a shawl and it's turned out okay but probably because it's a very 'open' pattern. I think the thing with peg looms is by their very nature the fabric is very 'close' as you are continually pushing it together (oh dear I hope that makes sense!) I haven't used mine for a while but when I did I made a couple of wall hangings (which was great as you could add all sorts of different fabric or wool for different effects), a bag and a rug (using a chopped up curtain!) I agree with Jo to try and use a thinner yarn - and maybe make it a bit wider as well? Don't give up though as it's such fun! Keep us posted x Jane

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  15. I am keen to see other things that you make on the peg loom too. I am sure with some experimentation with different yarns and patterns you will be more pleased with the results.

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