Amazing how in the wrong context, weaving verbs can sound a bit... off color.
Dobby looms, such as this AVL, are essentially primitive computers using technology not all that different from punch cards -- or even old fashioned music boxes. Pegs are placed in the holes in the sticks. The sticks are attached to a pair of bands in treadling order and wrapped around a drum. As the drum advances, the sticks advance and the miniature "treadles" are pressed, resulting in the raising of the shafts represented by the pegs. There are only two treadles, and treadling is a two step process. Depressing the right treadle advances the drum and raises the shafts. Depressing the left treadle releases the shafts so the cycle can start again.
As you might imagine, the geek girl in me was enjoying setting this up a great deal, even if I did develop a blister from yanking all those pegs in and out of the sticks with pliers. The weaving process has not yet begun (and won't for two weeks since I'm out of town next Thursday), but pretty much everything is set to go now. It's just a matter of adjusting the final tension and treadling away.
P.S. I'm going to be in Washington, D.C. Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon. From what I can tell, my hotel is in the area near the National Zoo. Any suggestions for "can't miss" attractions in the area? Or good restaurants? Good restaurants are really a plus. I have no idea how much free time I'll really have -- likely not very much since I'm traveling for business. But, just in case, I want to have some ideas on deck. It's been so long since I've been in the D.C. area -- I think the last time was high school -- so I'm actually looking forward to it. Even if the weather isn't likely to be any better there than it is here in Chicago.
As you might imagine, the geek girl in me was enjoying setting this up a great deal, even if I did develop a blister from yanking all those pegs in and out of the sticks with pliers. The weaving process has not yet begun (and won't for two weeks since I'm out of town next Thursday), but pretty much everything is set to go now. It's just a matter of adjusting the final tension and treadling away.
P.S. I'm going to be in Washington, D.C. Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon. From what I can tell, my hotel is in the area near the National Zoo. Any suggestions for "can't miss" attractions in the area? Or good restaurants? Good restaurants are really a plus. I have no idea how much free time I'll really have -- likely not very much since I'm traveling for business. But, just in case, I want to have some ideas on deck. It's been so long since I've been in the D.C. area -- I think the last time was high school -- so I'm actually looking forward to it. Even if the weather isn't likely to be any better there than it is here in Chicago.
If you are free to do lunch or something while you are in town let me know. I really don't know restaurants in that area of town and I think the nearest yarn shop is Stitch DC.
There's two or three indian restaurants in a row just down the street from the zoo (walk from the zoo to the metro and they'll be on the left across from the mcdonalds). I've never been in any of them but want to go every time I go to the zoo, which is fairly often :) Don't miss the invertebrate house, it's awesome and the people who work there answer lots of questions if it's not crowded.
Yes, but has anyone been disappointed by the actual content below the title? ;)
It's been years since I was in DC, but I used to love the old Post Office restaurant!
The strips with the pegs are making me really want to play cribbage right now!
PC and I are big DC fans---it's our fave vacation spot :) We always stay in Woodley Park (near the zoo)--- great restaurants right in the neighborhood center. We also found some great cafe-style places in Georgetown that are "behind" the main street there (M st?).
My all time FAVE is the Tabard Inn restaurant in Dupont Circle. Delish.
If you go to the mall area, don't miss the Newseum and then try Oyamel, on 7th, near D.
If you go to the mall, don't miss the Newseum & try Oyamel, on 7th, near D.
Do you ever read, "Lolly Knitting Around" (http://lollygirl.com/blog/)? She lives in the DC Area, is well read and well traveled and full of tons of useful information! I always learn so much from her posts. Maybe browsing her archives or contacting her would prove to be a good resource?
Her and her husband were just in Vancouver for the Olympic Games. Fun posts and pics up on Flickr!
~Suz~
You are not far from the textile museum (one of my favorite spots plus it has a great gift shop). It is in the Dupont Circle area I think on S st. If you have a car I can tell you how to find several quilt shops not too far in Maryland.
Check out Rachel Ray's Wasington on $40 a day! I did that before I went to Austen, it was not only just downright, unadulterated cheap, but the best food I have ever had, not to mention in a place I had never been before.
New Heights is not far from the zoo, and has been very well reviewed. http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/new-heights,796079.html
There are other great restaurants in the Penn Quarter/Chinatown area, like Rasika (Indian), Zaytinya (Middle Eastern/Mediterranean), and Jaleo (Spanish tapas). They're not too far from museums and monuments.