A Honeycomb Library Bag
continued
of the process and left in place. Pick up stick B will be inserted each time you need it. This can be a bit fiddly, but once you get a rhythm going it becomes part of your weaving process quite easily. You’ll want to be sure your weaving area is well lit. I like to use a piece of heavy paper cut to fit into the shed behind your rigid heddle in a color that contrasts with your warp as a visual assistant. This can be inserted when you are picking up threads so that they may be more easily seen.
(A tip for Flip users: I find that resting the pick-up stick against the top of the folding joint on my Flip and rocking it up and down as I am picking up threads, gives me more control. This is especially true if your warp is wide.)
When you are inserting your pick-up stick, your rigid heddle should be in the down position. This gives you access to the ends that are housed in the slots. These are the ends you want to pick up.
Pick-up stick (PU) A (inserted and left in place): 5 up, 5 down
PU B (inserted and removed each time): 5 down, 5 up
Start by weaving one pick of your double-stranded warp yarn. Using your 8/2 wool (except where it indicates that you should use the double stranded yarn) weave the pattern:
Honeycomb Pattern
1. Up and PU A
2. Down
3. Up and PU A
4. Down
5. Up and PU A
6. Down
7. Up and PU A
8. Down (heavy yarn)
9. Repeat 1-8 using PU B in place of PU A
Continue weaving this pattern for 34". As you weave, you will see that the heavy yarn forms an oval pattern around your weft yarn giving it the appearance of honeycomb and hence the pattern name. Finish your weaving with 3"of single strand Bartlettyarns wool.
Finishing the fabric
Cut your fabric from the loom. Using the walking foot of your sewing machine, zigzag stitch the raw edges of your fabric. Using the delicate cycle, machine wash in warm (not hot) water. Air dry, then steam press.
Pre-wash dimensions: 39 ½” x 15 ¾”
Post-wash dimensions: 36” x 12 ½”
I lost about 1" more width than I planned for, but it all worked out--no harm done. Keep in mind that if you are adjusting the dimensions, that shrinkage is greater widthwise, on a percentage basis, than lengthwise for this particular project with these particular yarns.
Sewing the bag
I lined my bag both to cover and protect the weft floats on the back side of my fabric. To decrease bulk in the seams, I sewed the bag closed with the side seams exposed. The honeycomb pattern created a scalloped edge that I found appealing.