On the Side: In-Between-Weaving-Projects Project: Maple Syrup

When I'm not weaving something on my 8 shaft Baby Wolf loom, I'm busy doing something else with fiber or something else all together that has nothing to do with fiber.  

This Spring, I tapped our large Silver Maple tree in the back yard.  Silver Maples actually make a pretty good syrup.  It sort of has a little caramel-like flavor hint, as well as a little "spring"  or brightness in it that syrup from a Sugar Maple doesn't have.

 Above and to the left are pics of my sap collection system.  I had a total of three taps in the tree.  On good days, those 5 gal jugs were nearly full!







Below are pics of the sap before and after boiling into syrup.  It takes 20 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.  That's a LOT of boiling!  It takes a LONG time, but it sure makes the house smell nice.

 Before boiling:

Notice how it looks just like water.  Don't be fooled!







It's nearly syrup!

Until next Spring...

Belated Christmas Presents: Dutch Towels

After completing the Packer themed towels for the Wisconsin relatives I warped and wove four blue and white (8/2 cotton) towels for the Minnesota relatives I like to call "Dutch Towels".  I'm quite happy with the results.

Here's my Wolf warped up with the
8/2 natural colored cotton.

I like to lash on my warp to save a bit of yarn.










Here are the towels in process.  I really like how the fabric turned out.

Merry Belated Christmas Minnesota Family!