Quiet Friday: Thick and Thin
- By Karen
- October 23, 2015
- 14 Comments
A vote of confidence from someone you look up to can make a world of difference. When I saw Joanne Hall’s exquisite towel made with thick and thin threads, I asked her, “Do you think I can weave something like that?” “Of course you can;” she replied without hesitation, “it’s plain weave.” Keep in mind that I was a complete novice on the floor loom; and I barely knew how to handle one shuttle, much less two! I plunged into the ambitious project and came out with a winner! The blue and cream towel hangs on the oven door in my kitchen as a daily reminder of the powerful impact of an encouraging word. Thank you, Joanne!
First thick and thin towel, completed as a beginning weaver. This is one of Erica de Ruiter’s designs, found in “The Best of Weaver’s Thick’n Thin,” Edited by Madelyn van der Hoogt.
Thick and thin is just as fascinating this time around. It is delightful to revisit a rewarding experience. Who knew that plain weave could be this much fun?
Zebra warp with thick and thin threads on my new Glimakra warping reel. One of three bouts, 10 1/2 meters.
View from the crossbar at the top of the warping trapeze, looking down. Ready to untie choke ties and add weights to the warp bouts.
Thick ends alternate with thin ends as the heddles are threaded. Left hand separates the shafts‘ heddles for ease of threading.
Weaving begins as soon as the warp is tied on and the leveling string is secured. I use the first few inches to check the threading and sett, and to do some sampling.
First border is captured with my iPhone camera so that I can easily reproduce the pattern at the other end of the towel.
I added a second double bobbin shuttle to make it easier and quicker to switch weft colors. Plain weave gets even more interesting with three shuttles!
End of the third towel.
View from under the breast beam. I love to see the fabric rolled up on the cloth beam.
Temple keeps the fabric at the optimum width for weaving. Red cutting line serves as the separation between the end of one towel and the beginning of the next. Ready to start another fascinating pattern.
May you give a vote of confidence to someone who needs it.
Happy weaving,
Karen
Copyright © 2019
Karen
Who would have thought black and white would look so interesting. I would like to see all the different towels when they are finished. Thanks for sharing. Something else to add to my list.
Betsy
Betsy, I’ve been surprised by black and white myself. Turns out it is more fascinating than I thought it would be!
Happy weaving,
Karen
PS. I’m going to Vavstuga in February.
Fantastic! You’re sure to have a rich experience!
I really enjoy your blog and these towels are fascinating. I see one white thread is a “ladder” thread? Can you tell me the brands, sizes of your warp? I won’t copy and sell I promise. Thank you very much.
Hi Helen,
I’m thrilled that you enjoy what you see and read here! Thanks for keepin’ comin’ back!
I don’t know what you mean by “ladder” thread…
The warp and the weft are the same: Bockens 22/2 Nialin (cottolin, cotton/linen blend), used doubled, in bleached and in black; and Bockens 30/2 Cotton, in bleached. I ordered mine from GlimakraUSA.com, but there are many good USA suppliers of Bockens’ threads.
All the best!
Karen
best guess. ladder thread used for counting. love those towels. Did you by any chance play with a color in the warp??? LPJ, linda
I’m tired……I meant in the weft for the color. it’s been a lon day and more to go. LPJ, linda
Hi Linda, I have not used color for the weft…yet. But I’m far from finished. After the fourth towel, you will see me play with bits of weft color. It’s going to be fun!
I hope you get some good rest in the coming days.
LPJ to you,
Karen
Hi Linda
i really enjoy your blog. what setts did you use for the different size warp threads?
Hi Maggie, It’s great to have you here!
This sett is 24 epi, with doubled thick ends and single thin end per dent.
Thanks for asking,
Karen
[…] you remember the black and white towels? I love the fascinating results of weaving with thick and thin warp ends, and thick and thin weft […]
Absolutely stunning towels! I wish I had seen this blog a few years ago, I could have purchased one of them.
Interesting read, so much information. Thanks!
Hi Marjo, Thank you! Im glad you like the towels. They were enjoyable to weave, and I learned so much by doing them.
All the best,
Karen