Southern Cross Fibre

Cotton Flower, originally uploaded by davidscf.

The first flower appeared while I was away over the weekend.

Cotton Squares, originally uploaded by davidscf.

Squares are starting to form on my cotton plants. These will produce a flower. Once the flowers drop off, the cotton boll containing all of the spinnable fibres will form behind them.

Cotton, originally uploaded by davidscf.

My cotton plants are thriving in the heat. Most of the plants are around 45 cm (17") tall now.

Monday morning. Dyeing time., originally uploaded by davidscf.

It’s a lovely Monday morning here in Sydney. That means it’s dyeing time!

Here is my army of Erlenmeyer flasks. The swishing action is much easier on my wrists. Years of bottle-shaking was giving me some grief, but now, I swish!

Napkin Warp, originally uploaded by davidscf.

New warp for sixteen napkins in 5-shaft satin (the same as the navy/green towels I recently completed).

The pink and orange were dyed by me. The brown is Bockens Bomullsgarn 8/2 (colour #61).

Tea Towels, originally uploaded by davidscf.

Gift towels are done. Just need to wrap them before I leave tomorrow.

5-shaft satin weave in 10/2 mercerised cotton (navy) and 22/2 cottolin (greens) @ 30 epi.

Finished tea towels are 19" x 31"

Plaited Twill Napkins, originally uploaded by davidscf.

Last warp of Christmas gifts! 16 x plaited twill napkins. These are a napkin-sized version of the plaited twill tea towels I made in July/August this year.

Plaited Twill #355 from Strickler’s 8-shaft pattern directory.

Warp: 22/2 White Cottolin from Ashford Wheels & Looms
Weft: Organic Cotton from Louët

Weaving, originally uploaded by davidscf.

Made a start on the first of six tea towels last night. How many days until Santa comes? Santa needs to get a move on.

Cap Bobbins, originally uploaded by davidscf.

Making progress on my cap project (Vogue Pattern #V8869/A).

"India Ink" and "Moon Rock" on Australian wool top (for a herringbone twill) and "Deep Purple" Tussah Silk (for the lining) from SCF.

Towel Warp, originally uploaded by davidscf.

Mission accomplished. My goal today was to make a start on holiday gifts and get a warp wound for a set of 6 tea towels. 660 ends later and I’m done. The navy is 10/2 cotton. The greens are 22/2 cottolin. Warping mill from Ashford.