#speedweve

[kneading-stitches]

Learning how to use my darning loom!

[twosides--samecoin]

I picked up a knockoff Speedweve for mending; I've fixed one pair of jeans with it so far and this is my second try. I did not pass enough blue thread through to reach the end point, so I had to ask @nunc-pro-tunc (who has way more textile experience than I) how to handle it. She cracked open a book she has called The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Knots & Ropework and had me do a "simple simon". Seems to be holding ok thus far.

I'm a much better machine sewist than I am at hand sewing. If you have to patch jeans sometimes you can iron a patch on or use a sewing machine to add fabric. Sometimes hand sewing is the best fix, especially if you have to consider significant alterations or deconstruction of the clothing just to fix the affected area. A Speedweve is cool because it makes the task way more manageable; in some ways it's easier than sashiko and boro because you have a tool that helps take the guesswork out of the warp and weft. The downside is that it is way less free form than sashiko and boro are.

[imbrith]

I picked up an inexpensive Speedweve style loom from Amazon. It was under $10, so it's fine to try and see if I like it. If I do, I may look for a more durable loom down the road.

Anyway, I have a shawl that I snagged a while back and had set aside, because I don't have any more of the yarn to fix it. It is right near the center spine, so it would be visible, no matter what. Figured it was a good candidate to try the loom.

My tension isn't perfect. You can see where it got a little lumpy and pulled, but it isn't terrible. In person, the colors blend a bit better.

But it adds a little story to the shawl. Now I can wear it again, which means more snags will probably occur. And they will be patched, as well. :)

[queerbeanenjoyer]

y'all will never guess who got a Speedweve.......

okay but seriously I LOVE this thing. I've been using it to repair all sorts of things. Mostly I've been tackling my wife's beloved (but threadbare) silly socks.

Though this is the first instance of my using it. I have a few pairs of Smartwool hiking socks that I've had for a while now. They're quite comfortable but have been wearing out at the heel and ball of the foot. I had heard speedweves were great for fixing socks so I got myself one. I had a lot of fun making this woven patch!

All of the damage on this pair of socks bears the same two colors. (I found a pack of bobbins with darning wool just for this.) But I'm hoping to do a sort of plaid pattern for my other pair I have on standby.

I also got another, longer disk for larger extents of damage. And once I added proper darning needles to the mix my repair speed REALLY took off.

To explain the photos:

The first one is how it looks once a few weft lines have been put in. The end of each row has a stitch to lock it in the place.

The second is the completed sock.

The third is the work inside out. The longer stitches are the loose ends to be threaded.

The fourth is the loose ends all pulled to the back of the work.

And the final photo shows the loose ends all threaded through the stitches on the inside.

[azuremaenad]

I found my darning looms, which is great because my partner's PJ pants desperately need me to patch some holes in the butt.

Now I just need to chase them down to get those pants.

[quill-ting]

My speedweve arrived in the post! It's a very wobbly start but I'm super excited to get better and play around with more colours and patterns.

[sewickedthread]

Trying the speedweve darning loom. Not great, but since the sweater is a loss otherwise it's worth a try. I have more holes to mend.

[ninamation]

Speedweve Sock Mend II

Every sock speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn feet. - Emily Sockë