Confessions of Novice Weaver - Week Three

This is the fourth installment of Melissa Ludden's experiences learning to weave.

As much as I wanted to weave more plaid, it was time to focus on twill. Judy, my instructor, had given us the lecture on floating selvedges and how they prevent floating warp threads when weaving twill, but I was making a scarf for my father, and I wanted the pattern to extend to the edge of the scarf. I decided that if I did four picks each of alternating colors, I could simply carry the colors up the side, which would catch any bits that wanted to stray and eliminate the need for the floating selvedge.

Confession #6

Wrapping every other pick to carry each color I was using up the side of my scarf was a real drag. Certainly it was less of a drag than cutting the yarn after each section of color, but I didn’t enjoy the process. With each week of class that passes, I am feeling more and more certain about the type of weaver I may be. I say may because I am in the very early stages of learning to weave, but I’m also old enough to know a few things about myself. But more on that at a later date.

The nice thing about weaving this scarf was using baby alpaca, though I ended up with tumbleweeds of alpaca fluff all over my craft room. It’s so soft and will be warm enough to handle the coldest winter.

Confession #7

I was off on my warp and weft calculations and ended up not only making a second trip to Shuttles to buy more material, but also integrating some baby alpaca I had in my yarn stash that was almost the same color as one of my original colors because the project was starting to get a bit expensive. I’m starting to feel like a bad example, but at least I learned a lesson or two. Weaving a sample is sounding more and more like a good idea, especially when using a new, not to mention pricey, material. I ended up beating harder than planned and liked the look, thus the need for additional material.

I’m starting to get antsy for class to be over so that I have time to explore weaving on my own terms, exploring new patterns and techniques and using traditional materials in non-traditional ways.

Confessions of a Novice Weaver--Week Two

This is the next installment of Melissa Ludden's experiences learning to weave.

After finishing my first sample, I had the basic concept of weaving under my belt. I decided that a scarf would be a good first project, so I consulted Deborah Chandler’s book “Learning to Weave” for pattern reading instruction. Then I found a nifty pattern in my brand new copy of “The Handweaver’s Pattern Directory” and set to measuring my warp.

Confession #4

I cut my warp in half. I know that usually the method used in measuring a warp is to cut it in two places, once at the end and the other at the cross end. Since I was using warping pegs set at one and a half yards apart I decided to use them as set to measure a three yard warp with the thought that I could cut just once to achieve my three yards.

Confession #5

I’m not much for following the rules. I haven’t figured out if this method of measuring a warp is unorthodox or not, but it seemed like a good idea as my warp was only one color, it wasn’t very long, nor did it consist of many warp threads (my teacher would probably disapprove of this method).

What went through my brain next remains a mystery. I finished measuring my warp threads, and out came the scissors. But rather than making a single cut at the start of the warp chain as planned, they found their way elsewhere. As soon as my scissors began to slice through the threads at the half-way point, I had that horrible, sinking feeling that my brain couldn’t tell my body to stop in time to prevent the ruin of my warp. I now could weave a lovely length of undulating twill that might serve as a short runner (unless I can find someone with a very small neck). Mental note: check twice before cutting.

This week our class topic turned to basic patterns. Judy showed us several examples of the use of stripes, checks and plaid, and we were sent home with instructions to come back with a sample that demonstrated one of these techniques. I decided that there was no sense in not challenging myself a bit, so I gathered up some 3/2 perle cotton in various colors, and set to work on weaving a bit of plaid.

I really enjoyed this project. It wove up quickly, and I am quite happy with the end result. The layout of my final piece is asymmetrical, which I find appealing, and the plaid is quite large. I am now mad about plaid, and once my class is over and I actually have time to weave whatever I like, I’ve got some grand project ideas: bags, scarves, skirts, pillows…