Healing Clouds

Thank you all so much for your kind words about Hank. It has been a week now and Kyle and I both have to keep reminding ourselves that he is no longer here. We see him out of the corner of our eye, and hear him repositioning in his kennel which is no longer in the living room. He was so much a part of our daily routine for the past 6 years that when I don’t let him out with his brothers at lunch time, or prepare a meal for him at dinner, it feels like I have forgotten to do something. He has been our longest companion and as I’m sure many of you know, it is an adjustment. I keep anticipating that I am going to hear him barking when Billy the UPS driver comes down our driveway, but instead his corner is silent.

It is interesting to me that in one context, silence emphasizes sadness as a reminder that Hank is no longer here, while in another setting it can be peaceful and healing. We have had several warmer days here this week (after what felt like a lifetime of rain) and taking a few minutes to sit outside and reflect throughout the week has been comforting. As I watch the clouds float lazily by past the mountains, and feel the breeze flowing through the trees covered in buds, I am reminded that we are all part of something larger. And that the mountains and the sky, the sun and wind aren’t dampened by loss, because death is a part of life. While we mourn here in this little holler that we call home, life continues all around us as if nothing has changed. I find that to be strikingly beautiful. Just as nothing can stop the changing of the seasons, the world around us continues every day, even while we individually pause to celebrate and mourn important milestones.

Life continues here as well as we welcome new additions to the community and our families. Our neighbors welcomed their first baby last month, our wonderful friend is due with her first next week, and my sister-in-law is actively in labor as we speak! Of course like any crafter, I can’t let these moments go by without marking the occasion with a handmade gift.

I wove each recipient a blanket and now that I have gifted two of the three, I think it is safe to share them here as well. I found an 8-shaft weaving draft that I liked on handweaving.net (#4132 for those of you with an account) and modified the treadling for each blanket so they are related, but not identical. The threading and tie up were the same for each. I used 8/4 Maurice Brassard cotton for warp and weft so these blankets would be soft and machine washable. Interestingly, after weaving these blankets and cutting them off the loom, I ended up liking the “wrong side” better than the side I had been looking at the entire time I was weaving. This is what I thought was going to be the front of each blanket:

And the side I ultimately chose as the front:

Of course with a blanket it really is just a large piece of fabric and front or back doesn’t really matter, it just determined for me to which side I pressed the hems. I did find it really ironic that I spent so much time developing the weaving patterns in the first photo without giving any thought to what the back of the fabric would look like, only to end up liking the back better by pure luck. Best laid plans, right?

I was trying to stay away from traditionally “gendered” colors and I do wish I was able to find colors that were a little brighter, but the color palette for this yarn was limited. The longer I look at them, though, the more I like them. In time I am sure the colors will fade as the blankets collect memories of sun-bleached summer days outside, cozy winters on the couch, and the stains of adventures as these children grow and explore.

The blankets measured 40×60″ on the loom, and after a wash in hot water and a dry in the machine with high heat, they shrank down to 34×51″. I wanted to encourage as much shrinking as possible in the first wash so the recipients didn’t have to worry about any special treatment. I want these to be every day, easy care items.

Congratulations to the new and expectant mothers! We are wishing you a life of happiness and love from Spring Creek.

Until next time, stay creative.