tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5470706983797617914.post6148492655711388159..comments2023-10-09T12:49:21.316-04:00Comments on Catching The Moon: Weaving My Life: 11. Three Considerations for Faster, Easier Coiling Post 11.Pamela Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904926075031478539noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5470706983797617914.post-83886718478375912292009-11-09T20:55:19.949-05:002009-11-09T20:55:19.949-05:00Since we live in Florida, and believe me there are...Since we live in Florida, and believe me there are plenty of mice, rats, and other rodents running around, we prefer to clean our needles. Also on some needles I have picked up, they do have bugs that have eaten the shaft under the fascicle. For us, we feel it prudent to clean the pine needles especially if we are making a basket that might be used near food.<br />Judy Cellars - Basket BabesAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06545123509438981251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5470706983797617914.post-76250008553538772012009-11-06T08:35:26.546-05:002009-11-06T08:35:26.546-05:00I am so glad that you started these posts, Pamela!...I am so glad that you started these posts, Pamela! I am a new weaver, and I've just begun learning how to coil. I've been weaving Appalachian and Ozark-style baskets for some time now, but I've always wanted to learn coiling. I bought Joyce Shannon's pamphlet "How to Make Coiled Baskets" after reading your review of it, but it's on back order right now. I'm waiting with great anticipation!<br /><br />We don't have the long leaf pines in our area, but we have several of the shorter leaf varieties in Arkansas. Can the shorter needles be used for smaller baskets?Janita R. Hall-Swadleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14508932908721759584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5470706983797617914.post-45447982174836289772009-11-05T11:25:41.762-05:002009-11-05T11:25:41.762-05:00I have always gathered my needles right off the to...I have always gathered my needles right off the top of the grass/lawn so assume the are about as clean as they are going to be. If I was concerned about bugs I would put them in the freezer too, though I have never seen any bugs in my box of needles. I have never thought about dogs or other animals piddling on the needles. I think ignorance is bliss as far as this is concerned! If there were any animal droppings I would just avoid the general vicinity.<br /><br />I do agree that getting them off a branch is the easiest. One of the times I was collecting a branch had fallen some time before so the needles were already dry. I could pull off whole hand fulls already neatly aligned and ready to be bundled. It was soooooo much faster than my usual method of picking them up one or two at a time off the ground.<br /><br />Pam, yes do post about adding binder. One of the other commentors described how they did it and I think I finally get it or at least have an idea of how I am going to try it next time. Isn't it fun when light bulb finally goes off in your head?<br /><br />TonyJ. Anthony Stubblefieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06194463145900580639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5470706983797617914.post-46811123368662645602009-11-05T00:05:18.523-05:002009-11-05T00:05:18.523-05:00I seldom clean the needles but I do prefer working...I seldom clean the needles but I do prefer working with them slightly damp. I also usually decap them so I can insert the whole three needle group into the coil. These steps do necessitate soaking them in water but I seldom see any dirt left in the water so presume they are usually clean. When they are just damp-almost dry-I just throw them in a bag and put them in the freezer. Keeps them nice and straight and pliable for a month or so. --EarlTrek Across Americahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03344669396011758812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5470706983797617914.post-10427734298912283512009-11-04T21:55:43.127-05:002009-11-04T21:55:43.127-05:00I don't clean my needles either, I gather in m...I don't clean my needles either, I gather in my yard and they have just dropped when I gather.<br /><br /> I am a raffia coiler, by preference, I learned with raffia and have a hard time adjusting to using another binder. I have tried, but go back to raffia-so, using raffia I add to my binder more than if I were using threads.<br /> I also use a knot. When my binder starts to get short I put the needle back up through the middle of the stitch I am working on, so the raffia come out the top in the middle of the stitch, add the new binder pull until I have about an inch of free raffia and tie a small square knot and tug the knot down inside the coil to hold it. lay the tails on top the coil, complete the stitch I was working on,make a few stitches and cut any remaining tails from with in my coil. The knot is invisible, doesn't move, you will never find it and you will not see any variation in the size or shape of my coil.<br /> I have been coiling for roughly 20 some odd years, old habits are hard to break!Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07443234094236064773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5470706983797617914.post-2035690755813785132009-11-04T18:10:08.812-05:002009-11-04T18:10:08.812-05:00As I was reading your thoughts today I heard singi...As I was reading your thoughts today I heard singing in the background. It was Hallelujah. I agree 100% and tell my students to do what they must but if I wasted my time cleaning and boiling I would never get a basket made. The only time I wash my needles are if they are sandy and then its just to rinse them. I also agree fresh needles are the best but we are so lucky to be able to get needles year round here in Florida. I use sinew to stitch my baskets and like the nice sheen the wax puts on the needles as I do not add a finish on my baskets. Ruth Anne, Zephyrhills FlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5470706983797617914.post-49158694778787937162009-11-04T18:08:28.306-05:002009-11-04T18:08:28.306-05:00Most of the pine needles that I get are ordered on...Most of the pine needles that I get are ordered on line. However, I do live in an area where I have relatively easy access to ponderosa pine needles. But, I only gather them when I have the energy to go for a walk on the Howard's Way trail that follows the Yakima River. Since this trail is frequented by dog owners, I rarely will pick pine needles up from the ground. It's just hard to know if a dog's been marking or not. <br /><br />But, the trees will usually have brown needles within easy reach and I don't have to bend over to get them. In the past, when I've had more endurance, I've been able to gather a plastic grocery sack full of brown needles which I've gotten from the trees. <br /><br />I don't feel the need to clean, sanitize, or boil the pine needles that I gather.Donna in WAnoreply@blogger.com