Weaving Loose Ends of Handspun

While I enjoy these happy little orts as they are, it’s nice to put them to good use, too—which is where tiny looms and small tapestry weavings come in handy.

Spinners often have loads of yarn bits left over after workshops and classes. For about five years, I’ve been hosting local spinning gatherings when I’m not teaching elsewhere in the country. On Saturdays at the Trading Post for Fiber Arts, we try different fibers, practice plying techniques, and experiment with color interactions. Month by month, we produce veritable heaps of tiny skeins!

Just a few of Kate’s beloved handspun orts.

Tiny looms and daily weaving seem to be popping up in every corner of the fiber universe. (Do a quick search for “tiny tapestry” or “weaving diary” to check it out.) Last weekend, my spinning friends and I gathered to make some tiny tapestries with odd bits of handspun. Some of us used small frame looms while others worked on rigid-heddle looms. Even though we started with the same materials, each of our pieces was unique. These small weavings are a great way not only to put your precious handspun to good use, but to have yet another way to incorporate fiber, creativity, and serenity into each and every day.