We decided to head to Nashville for our anniversary break and are now back in the valley. It was our first visit there and we certainly overdosed on the huge variety of music and entertainment. Our downtown hotel allowed us to walk everywhere to sample food, entertainment, play pool, darts and try a few different drinks. Sunday morning it was nice to go for a walk in the much quieter parts of the city, before heading home after lunch.
Leading up to and on return from the trip I have been working on the tartan throw. First job was to clean up after the Christmas towels and scarves. 30 cotton towels tends to shed a lot of dust and very fine cotton fluff. I managed to burn out the vacuum cleaner rubber drive band as I didn’t notice that the upright vacuum was sitting on a rya rug while I was using the hose to get under the loom – until I smelt some very hot rubber/smoke! I should have bought a model that automatically disables the spinning brushes when the vacuum tube is disconnected. Anyway – the cleaning finished I was able to then start dressing the loom by putting the individual sections of warp (9) onto the angle wings and then spread them across the back beam via the raddle. I couldn’t find my home made raddle for this loom so had to use the one that fits my upright loom. It has 1/2″ spacing so I used 8 then 7 ends in each space across the width. I still have to lash the rod onto the back apron and then with help, wind it on to the warp beam.