Here is what I’m dealing with in my studio—how embarrassing it is. I didn’t want to let anyone know about it at first. There are 10 yards of warp and the snarling started as soon as I began beaming. Thankfully I had lots of choke ties so I could work on a section at a time. I’ve worked almost all of the snarls through the 10 yards—just a foot or two left. I’ve spent hours on it. This has never happened before. The cause, I think, is that I wound the threads too tightly onto the warping reel. The fine threads are highly overtwisted and when they were off tension they just kinked unmercifully.
Part Two of the story will be what happens next. It might be a week before I can get back to untangling. I’ve really enjoyed it—the patience is soothing like a meditation for some reason. Does anyone else enjoy undoing a little tangle as much as I do? I haven’t bothered to count up the hours I’ve spent. I began the warp on Memorial Day.
not that i enjoy untangling so much. but i do enjoy the occasional disaster because there is so much to be learned from it. i am in the middle of one of my own but haven’t had the time to really blog it but really should. i am in awe of so many weavers and what they do. do you weave much with silk?
I do weave with silk lately and sewing thread. This is the first time this fine silk has given me trouble. The untanling IS a way of not letting the yarn win, for sure!
Peggy
I have always enjoyed untangling messes. I did it in grade school and have persisted all my life. It’s the challenge. I know I can do it. Sometimes I even use the untangled warp.
Ah yes! Untangling, what a rewarding activity… I’ve always felt that a tangle was yardage longing to be set free. Of course, I’ve had practice. When I worked at JCPenney in the 70’s my job was to untangle the “gold” chains every Monday after they had been manhandled all day Saturday. I loved that. Well, a lot more than straightening the pantyhose display. Mondays were really slow.
I love your accounts.
Peggy