a simple yarn

I’d like to shake the hand of that unknown Johnson & Johnson employee who, during World War II, invented duct tape…

…which, by the way, was originally called ‘duck’ tape, or so say The Duct Tape Guys. Actually, they have a lot to say…more than I thought possible…about the silver sticky stuff…

Brief History of Duct Tape Diversion Ahead—
“The original use was to keep the moisture out of the ammunition cases. Because it was waterproof, people referred to the tape as ‘Duck Tape.’ Also, the tape was made using cotton duck - similar to what was used in their cloth medical tapes. Military personnel quickly discovered that the tape was very versatile and used it to fix their guns, jeeps, aircraft, etc. After the war, the tape was used in the booming housing industry to connect heating and air conditioning duct work together. Soon, the color was changed from Army green to silver to match the ductwork and people started to refer to duck tape as ‘Duct Tape’.”

I guess apologies are in order to my father-in-law, a firm believer in the virtues of duct tape, for I found it an indispensable tool at the loom today…

…or perhaps because there was no masking tape to be found.

Anyway, the rayon warp is slick…not in a glossy-sleek-smooth kind of way…more like a ‘what-shall-I-do-with-this-greased-pig’ sort of way. Once I’ve threaded it through the heddles (aka needles), I would usually tie a bit of a slip knot to secure it and prevent accidental unthreading. Trouble is, the stuff is too slippy for a slip knot. So presto, a simple solution…

I’m very thankful that the warp has cooperated so far, as I’m beginning to cast an eye to the calendar, for this birthday gift needs to be done by Thursday. That’s just seven days away…Eek!