Category: Weaving

 A newly developed class is now scheduled for March at Silk Road Textiles.  This new shape is a circular (sort of) scarf that has a V-shaped edge created by weaving the fringe from the beginning of the scarf into the end.  There are a few tricky bits, but I have some great tips to make it easier.  You must have had prior rigid heddle weaving experience or a class before taking this one.  Fortunately, we have just added new beginning classes to the schedule at Silk Road Textiles in addition to the one I am teaching at the Art Barn in Mariemont. If you are interested in learning how to weave, check them out!

I have woven a new style of scarf/cowl that I saw recently other places on the internet.  I cobbled together some hints and tips and was very successful weaving it.  You leave some unwoven warp at the beginning of the warp, weave for the desired length minus the width, then unwind and untie the beginning and weave the fringe in as the weft at the end.  I hemstitched up the side as I wove in the fringe and across the end when I was finished.  I can wrap it twice around my neck and I like to wear it with the fringe off the shoulder.

In my opinion, a nice aran or light bulky weight variegated yarn makes a lovely cowl.  I think a plain solid, heather or semisolid would look great too.  I don’t care for the plaid you get if you use a striped warp.  The rigid heddle loom is the ideal tool for this.  I think it would be trickier on a table or floor loom.  I call it a V-cowl and I plan on teaching a class on how to make it at the Weavers Guild after the first of the year. Check back in a couple weeks to see the detail.

 

The fringe is twisted and the sample scarf is washed and dried.  The class to weave a Stripes and Floats Scarf is scheduled for Saturday,  May 31 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. AND Sunday June 8 from noon to 1 p.m.  This class will expand your rigid heddle weaving skills by introducing a more complicated threading to direct warp using an uneven number of ends in the stripes and creating texture in the fabric by using pick-up to create warp floats on one side and weft floats on the other. You will also learn how to hemstitch at the beginning and end of the project.  Still don’t have your own rigid heddle loom?  No problem there, the class fee includes the use of one of my Cricket Looms for the week.  Contact Silk Road Textiles to register.