Quiet Friday: Plattväv Towels and Thanksgiving Prayer
- By Karen
- November 25, 2016
- 10 Comments
Start to finish, the plattväv towels have been a handweaver’s joy. Narrow stripes on the warp beam are strangely invigorating. Does it take extra effort to wind a warp with many stripes? Yes–cut off one color and tie on a new color, over and over. But when the loom is dressed and ready to go, the weaving is a breeze. Being cottolin, the warp is fully compliant; and with a little care, the linen weft becomes a weaver’s friend. Plattväv, the icing on the cake, gives me a simple pattern weft that dresses up these plain weave towels. (And, yes, I am in the process of developing a kit for these plattväv towels.)
The joy of weaving is a blessing, as is the joy of friendships across the miles. Thank you for walking this journey with me.
Thanksgiving prayer: Thank you, Lord, for everything.
May you overflow with blessings and reasons for giving thanks.
Thankful for you,
Karen
10 Comments
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Almost Forgot the Hanging Tabs…Again
- By Karen
- November 18, 2016
- 9 Comments
I was ready to hem the plattväv towels. But then, I thought of one more thing–I need a woven band for the hanging tabs! Since the towels have black borders, I decided to weave a simple band in black cottolin, with a single white dotted line down the center. I measured the little warp, put it on the band loom, and quickly wove it up.
Single white thread produces dotted white line in the woven band.
I love the classy black band with the white dotted line. However, I don’t love it with these towels… Too wide, and too… black. It’s going into my band stash box. Someday, when I least expect it, I’ll find this band in the box; and it will be exactly what I need at the time. So, I started over at the band loom this morning, and wove a new band.
Second chances are possible with a Glimåkra two-treadle band loom. It doesn’t take long to weave a second band if the first one doesn’t work out.
Ready to be cut into hanging tabs for the plattväv towels.
Hem, turned twice to the back of the towel, is pressed and ready to be stitched. The ends of a coordinating hanging tab will be stitched in the seam. The black woven band is stashed away for future use. The narrower gray band fits the style of the towels.
Joy is ignited by giving thanks. Gratitude changes your outlook. Instead of seeing the black band as a setback, it’s a gift for the future. The gray band is a reminder to be thankful for second chances. To whom will we give our thanks? To our looms? No. To each other? Yes. And to our Maker who gave himself for us? A resounding, joyful yes.
May you continuously be thankful.
Thankful for you,
Karen
9 Comments
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ellen santana says:
beautiful towels. i recently read an article about antique handwovens that she found that towels that had a hanging tab on them were quite worn on the opposite end of the tab. maybe if you put tabs on both sides they would get won equally. es
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Hi Ellen, I never would have thought of that! That’s very interesting and good to know. I’ve seen some towels with the tab on the side – maybe that would help with the wear, too.
I will have to give this some more thought…
Karen
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Ruth says:
Thank you for your beautiful post. Quick question: do you finish your hems by hand or machine? Happy weaving, Ruth
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Hi Ruth, I like to hem my towels with the sewing machine. To me, that seems the most reliable way for the hems to stay in place through years and years of washings. I did hem the table square (not shown) by hand. I don’t expect it to go through many washings, and I wanted the hem stitches to be invisible.
I love the look of hand-hemmed towels, and the craftsmanship it shows. And I have friends who always hand hem their handwoven towels. I admire them for it.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Nanette Mosher says:
Could you post a photo of your whole band loom, with heddles and maybe a warp with something to show its relative size? I have a couple of looms for bands, one very antique and the other an inkle, but neither seems as quick and easy as yours seems to be. I’m really impressed that you didn’t just “make do” with the black; certainly the grey is an improvement and perfect. Will be interested in your answers to the other questions also. N.
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Hi, Nanette, You can see pictures of the whole band loom, and a video that shows how I weave on the band loom at this link: Quiet Friday: Band Loom Warping and Weaving. I certainly did have a dialogue with myself about “making do.” The perfectionist in me won the discussion.
Happy weaving,
Karen-
Your “perfectionism” will be my goal! N.
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Curious about the bobbin/shuttle you’re using with the band loom. Where do you get them?
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Hi Sherri, My husband made the band shuttle for me. A cardboard quill, cut to a small size, works as well.
Karen
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Skinny Inkle Band
- By Karen
- May 6, 2016
- 6 Comments
This is the narrowest inkle band I have ever made! With thirteen ends of fine 16/2 cotton, I get a very skinny ribbon. I brought my inkle loom with me to the Texas Woodcarvers Guild Spring Round-Up. This gives me something to do at the “Conversation Table” while Steve attends wood carving classes. Some ladies have their crochet, some have their knitting, and I have my inkle.
Steve making progress with his farm scene relief carving.
The inkle loom is a conversation piece, to be sure. Inquiring people stop to look and ask questions. Many think it looks complicated. “It’s a lot simpler than carving a piece of wood,” I say with a smile.
Warp is close to the maximum length possible for this inkle loom. Off the loom, the band measures about 2 1/2 yards (2.25 meters).
Finished skinny inkle band, with a dime for scale.
Seek the Lord; seek His strength. Walk in the Lord’s strength. When this is your habit, your continual mindset, life’s struggles seem less complicated. Down shed – shuttle – up shed – shuttle. Repeat. Keep going to the end.
May you have the strength you need.
Truly Yours,
Karen
6 Comments
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Laurie Mrvos says:
Steve’s carving is very impressive! And I love that tiny inkle band. What kind of inkle loom do you have? Thanks for the reminder that I can take my inkle loom with me when I am at family gatherings and the like, though a smaller loom might be in order.
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Hi Laurie, the narrow band caught the eye of someone who carves dolls and makes clothes for them. She bought the band from me!
This inkle loom was handmade by someone. I’ve had it for a long time. I think it is similar to Schacht inkle looms. I have used this loom to weave many inkle bands while riding in the car on long trips.Karen
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Karen – It’s wonderful that you were able to sell the band to someone who will put it to immediate use.
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Joanna says:
That’s a really sweet little band!
My barely 4-yr old granddaughter really wants to weave. She’s figured out the two treadles on the band loom and can often be found inside the big Glimåkra. I’d like to set up a little loom for her, what do you think, rigid heddle or inkle?
Your meditation today came at a time when it was sorely needed. Thank you.
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Joanna, It seems like the inkle loom would be easiest for a young weaver. The sequence of moves has fewer steps than with a rigid heddle loom. Sounds like a fun endeavor!
I’m very glad that the meditation thoughts came at the right time for you.
Blessings,
Karen
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Quiet Friday: Band Loom Warping and Weaving
- By Karen
- April 22, 2016
- 29 Comments
My two-treadle Glimåkra band loom is called into action. I don’t have to add hanging tabs for the towels that I am weaving on the Ideal loom. But I want to. A little band weaving here and there, and I will have this special detail ready for the towels when they come off the loom. (Watch me weave on the band loom in the video below.)
How I Warp the Band Loom:
- Wind a narrow warp. Tie the lease cross. For a long warp, tie a choke tie about every meter.
- Put the end loop of the warp on the warp beam tie-on bar. Insert lease sticks in the cross. Tie the sticks together; or tape them together with masking tape.
- Remove tie around lease cross. Hold the warp taut with the left hand while winding on with the right hand. Insert warping slats around the beam the first time around, and then every other time around after that.
- Wind on until the beginning of the warp is a few inches in front of the heddles.
- Tie or tape the lease sticks to the back beam. Cut the loops at the front end of the warp.
- Thread the heddles, alternating between the heddles on the right and on the left.
- Hold the warp taut and depress each treadle to check for any crossed threads.
- Tie the warp onto the front tie-on bar.
- Tighten the tension; wind your shuttle; and weave to your heart’s content! (A short cardboard quill can be used as a shuttle.)
May you go the extra mile to add special little details.
Happy band weaving,
Karen
29 Comments
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Alaa says:
Thanks for posting this, Karen. It was really interesting and informative. I like the added little touches like a woven tab for hanging too.
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Hi Alaa, It makes me happy to know this was interesting and informative to you. Adding special touches is one of the great advantages of making things by hand!
Karen
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Geri Rickard says:
Hi Karen! Your post and video came at the perfect time as we just finished Vavstuga Basics today. I have a band loom at home that I haven’t used yet, and 2 students purchased theirs today before leaving Vavstuga. Your wonderful blog was discussed several times around the dorm table this past week. Even Bettie said how timely today’s blog posting was! Thank you for sharing with us!!
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Wow, Geri, Are you serious?! What a wonderful co-incidence! I am delighted beyond measure that I could have some small part in bringing a helpful tidbit to Vavstuga Basics.
Thank you for letting me know.You and your Vavstuga Basics friends have totally made me smile.
Happy, Happy weaving,
Karen
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What a great loom! I can imagine advantages over the more traditional designs: standing, treadles, cloth and warp beams. How interesting that you weave on it what I would consider sideways.
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Hi Weaver Grace, Good observations. (I do weave on the band loom sitting down. You probably can’t tell that from the video.) The two primary reasons I prefer this band loom over my inkle loom is 1) I can weave much faster and 2) I can put on a longer warp (I’ve done up to 10 meters).
Weaving sideways is quite awkward at first; but, with practice, your hands become fluent.
Karen
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Annie Galloway says:
I always enjoy your blog posts. You are inspirational both in weaving and spirituality.
I’m trying to convince myself that I do not need a band loom 🙂 If you have time, would you tell me some advantages over the inkle loom (which I have). It just looks so much cleaner on the band loom. I know you can weave longer warps on it. It looks faster than weaving on an inkle…
Thank you so much for your posts.
Annie-
Hi Annie,
I have a feeling we just cross posted. See my reply to Weaver Grace about weaving speed and length of warps. 🙂
Far be it from me to convince you that you *need* something you want. I have a hunch you will be able to convince yourself.The advantage of an inkle loom is that you can travel with it, which I do. So, one for travel, and a stationary one for home. More weaving over all. That can’t be a bad thing!
Thanks for your incredibly kind words. That really touches me!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Hugh S. Myers says:
I see you have one of the “new” band looms Glimåkra has changed the band loom slightly since I purchased mine…nothing of consequence excepting the heddles—mine are string not Texsolv. My question is where did you get the delightful shuttle?
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I bought my band loom second hand. I’m not sure what year it was made, but I know the newer Glimåkra band looms have ratchets that are a little different than mine. String heddles? That’s interesting.
My husband carved the shuttle for me. It’s modeled after an old Swedish band loom shuttle that we had seen.
Karen
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Anonymous says:
Mine uses string because it predates Texsolv!! As do I 🙂 I also carve so I guess I guess I will go the same route. I really like the idea of one handed operation so that the ‘dance’ involves all four limbs.
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Hugh, it is a great “dance” for the hands and feet.
I will send you an email with specs for the shuttle in case you decide to carve one for yourself.
Karen
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Like Geri, who commented earlier, I was at Vavstuga last week! I bought a band loom like yours and then, the next morning, we saw this post about how to use it! Such serendipity! Thanks for the clear instructions!
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Hi Kerry, I couldn’t be more pleased that my instructions came at such an opportune time! You are going to enjoy that new band loom!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Wow – very fun! I haven’t seen a band loom used before. I guess it’s what the Shakers use/d to weave the bands for their chairs. That is a very lovely detail…
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Hi Debbie, if I remember correctly, the Shaker tape looms were a different design, but similar function. And they certainly produced miles and miles of bands!
Karen
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Anne Littlebird says:
Thank you Karen! I want to use my band loom more but it was a little daunting. This post really helped. I think the only thing I need to work with is how tight to have the warp. I think I have it too tight. I will put on a warp this week and just sit and practice!
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Hi Anne, I am so happy that this post was helpful to you! You are right–practice is the best way to learn this. It takes a while before it’s comfortable. But once it takes off for you, it’s a lot of fun.
Happy practice,
Karen
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Ann says:
Hi Karen,
I am the other Vavstuga student who purchased a band loom which coincided with your post! I can’t express how happy I am it happened that way. Directions with the loom were sooo… minimal! Yesterday I got together with the other band loom buyer from Vavstuga and we helped each other get started. We referred to your post as we warped and then began to weave. What fun! I don’t think we could have done it without you. Great directions, photos and video!
My mind is stirring up other uses for the bands.
Thanks again!
Ann-
Wow, Ann, that’s fantastic! I couldn’t be more thrilled that things worked out this way! Thank you so much for telling me your story. It makes my heart sing.
Happy band weaving,
Karen
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Chris says:
Hi Karen
Awesome little machine and great video, it was great to see some one using one of these looms.
I just got into inkle looming and the thing that up sets me is the amount of yarn that goes to waste when it reaches the heddles is this loom any better in that respect?-
Hi Chris,
Good question! I think I end up with about 10 inches/25 cm of loom waste at the end, which is probably not much better than the inkle loom. However, I can put on a much longer warp, so the percentage of loom waste overall is much less. I’ve done as long as 10 yards/9 meters. In that case, the loom waste didn’t count for much.
Karen
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[…] too, and, together, we managed to figure them out. We were helped immeasurably by this blog post by Karen Isenhower, which, serendipitously, came out the very day we purchased the looms […]
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Ruth says:
Hi Karen,
I want to thank you for this post. I was inspired to purchase a band loom after reading this post several months ago. Without your instructions and video I would have really struggled to figure out the easiest way to warp this loom. As Ann commented the instructions that come with the loom are very minimal to state it kindly. I looking forward to bands to use for straps and tabs! Bless you for sharing your knowledge!
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Hi Ruth, I’m so glad! I hope you enjoy weaving on your band loom as much as I do on mine. There are so many uses for the bands!
Karen
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Julia says:
In a few weeks, a very similar bandloom from Glimakra will move in with me. Your comments on how to prepare the warp, come to me as called (I also found another, but it seems to me more complicated). Thanks a lot for this.
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Hi Julia, Hooray! You have much to look forward to with your band loom.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Ashlee says:
Thank you so much for writing this post. I am new to band weaving and your tutorial will provide me with guidance as I get my new loom warped! I would also love the specs for your band shuttle if you still have them. Thank you again and again!
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Hi Ashlee, I’m so glad you found what you need here! I’m happy to send you the specs for the band shuttle. Watch for an email from me.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Almost Forgot the Hanging Tabs
- By Karen
- January 26, 2016
- 2 Comments
My band loom has been sitting idle for months with a partially-woven warp. As soon as I cut the black and white towels from the loom it occurred to me that I had not yet woven their hanging tabs. I am eager to put on a new black and white band warp to weave these towel loops; but first, I must weave off the existing band. (You originally saw this band in Weave the Portable Way.)
Two treadles are used for changing the shed on this Glimåkra Band Loom. It takes practice to coordinate the actions of both hands and feet. What was awkward to learn becomes second nature through repetition.
This band is complete. It will go in the box I call my “band stash.” When I need a strap, ribbon, or trim for anything, I look in my band stash box to see what I can find.
What had been sitting for months is finished in a day. And the black and white warp is on the loom before day’s end. What made the difference? Why is it suddenly easy to finish something that had been lagging for months? One word. Decision. (Some of the towels on which these hanging tabs will adorn are in Quiet Friday: Thick and Thin and in Even Better After.)
Starting the black and white band.
Simple narrow band is made to coordinate with black and white handwoven towels. As with the towels, this is cottolin warp and weft.
With enough woven to make hanging tabs for ten handtowels, the warp is cut and secured. The remainder of the warp will be woven off and added to the “band stash” box.
All our important actions derive from purposeful decisions. And my best decisions shape the course of my life in a positive way. You can choose the direction you travel. When you choose to walk the path of virtue, the path before you becomes more and more clear. Finding the motivation to do the right thing often comes down to making a firm decision. As a result, we are able to remove the old, and move on to weaving today’s important task.
May you make great decisions.
Motivated,
Karen
2 Comments
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linda says:
Karen: Bands,! what a way to dress up a fleece vest, 1/2 zip, or jacket. especially since you have such a varied width and pattern stash. I really must get to work. LP&J linda
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Yes, Linda, handwoven bands are a great way to add a special trim to jackets, bags, pillows, etc.
Karen
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Copyright © 2019
Hi Karen,
These towels are just beautiful. Thank you for all the work you do to help us with our weaving. Happy Thanksgiving my friend!
Hi Liberty, Everything is more enjoyable with friends! Thanks for your sweet encouragement.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Karen
Love the photo of the towels rolled up- very interesting to view. Beautiful work as always.
Hi Martha, The linen is predominant in these towels, and linen begs to be rolled. I had fun playing around with them to take pictures.
Thanks for your kind words!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Karen
I will definitely be interested win the kit! Beautiful!
Hi Anne, I’m glad to hear that you are interested in the kit. Thanks for letting me know!
Karen
The towels are lovely. I too will be watching out for kit information.
I’m wondering if hemp would be worth a whirl in place of linen?
Hi Theresa, I’m excited about putting the kit together. It’s good to know you are keeping an eye on it.
I have never woven with hemp. From what I’ve heard, it weaves much like linen. So I’m certain it would work for this.
I love the Bockens and the Borgs Swedish linen, so I haven’t branched out much in that regard.
Happy weaving,
Karen
I love these!
Hi Christine, Thank you so much!
If you’re interested, there are a couple of these towels in my Etsy shop, as well as “Workshop in a Box” kits, where you can weave these towels for yourself.
All the best,
Karen