Weaving Some Simple Borders
- By Karen
- May 7, 2019
- 9 Comments
I need to free up this little loom in order to put on a different warp that has a deadline. So, now that I have returned from my travels, my attention is going to these towels. My friend is letting me weave this lovely cottolin warp that she got at Vavstuga.
Straight twill, point twill, broken twill, and now “rick-rack.” And after that, a couple towels in plain weave. Everyone who weaves this Vavstuga towel kit and follows the instructions will end up with the same six towels. True? Not necessarily. I like to step off the expected path. That is why I vary the weft and include some type of simple border design on each towel.
There is a wide path that is crowded with many people. It’s the common and expected way of life. It’s where you stay if you want to fit in with everyone else. But if you search for it, you’ll find an uncommon path. It’s narrow; and few find it. It’s the path of life that is found in Jesus Christ. Stand in the narrow path. That is where your unique features will show up as border designs that set you apart as a cherished child of God.
May you be set apart.
Happy weaving,
Karen
9 Comments
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Building Blocks in Double Weave
- By Karen
- April 20, 2018
- 16 Comments
Troubles. What troubles? All is forgotten now that the shuttle is ready to soar. After my threading misadventure and correction, I’m ready to weave! But first… The treadle tie-ups need adjustments. And then, after weaving a couple inches, a few more adjustments. Now the shed is nearly perfect on every treadle. Ready, set, wait a minute… Sample. Which shuttle goes where to lock in the weft? How many picks make a square? Is my beat consistent?
Like a spectacular waterfall, warp ends splash with color over the back beam. First adjustments have been made to treadle tie-ups. Ready to start weaving the sample.
Sample gives opportunity to practice and experiment. Checking shed clearances, weft color tryouts, synchronizing two shuttles, consistent beating–a few of the reasons why it makes sense to sample first.
After completing the sample, I am now weaving the wide dark plum beginning border of the double weave throw. In a few inches I will be enjoying the colorful blocks that we have all been waiting for. Building blocks. Success, setbacks, adjustments, and practice, all build a foundation of weaving experience.
Here it is. The real thing. The beginning border of the actual double weave throw.
Build. If I’m not careful, my attention goes to the building up of myself. Yet, love focuses on others to build them up. It’s through a process of success, setbacks, adjustments, and practice that love flourishes. When your strong desire is to see the colorful blocks of the weave, you press through until you see it. Love is even stronger than that. Our example is Christ. His love makes the pattern of love possible in us.
May you build on what you learn.
Happy weaving,
Karen
16 Comments
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Joann says:
What a beautiful blanket that is going to be.
Joann-
Hi Joann, Thanks! That’s my hope, since I’m making it for a special young lady.
All the best,
Karen
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Joyce Lowder says:
Gorgeous! Love the dark plum background and border and the beautiful squares of many colors! Reminds me of Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors! Bravo, Karen! 🙂
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Hi Joyce, The request was for a throw in vibrant colors, so I think this fits the bill!
Thanks!
Karen
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Beth says:
You are resilient! It’s going to be beautiful. Kudos!
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Hi Beth, Well, I guess I would say I’m determined. I’m not going to let a problem, or two, or three, stop me. Haha!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Rachel says:
Thank you for sharing your gift and love! It is an encouragement for all of us! Not only are the fibers woven but your words of love from God. As a beginner Weaver I have felt the love of God every time I sit at my loom. May He continue to bless you, your works and your blog!
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Hi Rachel, It is interesting that you say you feel the love of God when you sit at the loom. I can relate to that. I have often sensed that the Lord’s grace has placed me at the loom, where I find such satisfaction and joy.
Thank you!
Karen
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Cindy Bills says:
You did it! And it is made more special by the love you have shown as you refused to give up on this project, meant as a gift to that one you love. It reminds me of how important our struggles to love are, in light of Christ’s love for us.
Blessings!-
Hi Cindy, We know the struggle is worth it—with weaving and with love—when we consider the glorious outcome.
Blessings to you,
Karen
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Good morning Karen,
There is so much to learn between the first pot holder and using plum to make the colors sing.
I’ve got to re-read your earlier postings to see how to adjust the shed to even out the tension. It is forgivable in a rag rug. But, now I now there are new skill to explore.
Thank you for sharing your journey so others can follow in your trail.
Nannette.-
Hi Nannette, One thing that delights me about weaving is that there is no end of things to learn. If you enjoy learning, the weaving loom is the place to be!
Thanks for coming along,
Karen
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Pamela Graham says:
Hi Karen,
I can’t begin to express how much your blog has meant to me since I discovered it a few months ago. I have read all your posts and learned, among other things, how important it is to be brave as a hand weaver. You take bravery to new heights!
I have questions about this beautiful throw: is it double width with double weave blocks? How wide will the finished throw be?
P.S. I’m heading to Vavstuga in a little over a week for the basics class and can’t wait. Thanks to your posts I think I will be able to keep up.
Thank you for sharing your journey.
Pam-
Hi Pam, Your thoughtful words make my heart sing! I’m so happy that you have learned useful things here. I’m humbled that someone has read all my posts! Whew, I call that brave. 🙂
I’m sure your time at Vavstuga will be rewarding. I’d love to hear how it goes for you, if you would drop me a line after you get back!This throw is double weave, meaning two layers of fabric are woven at the same time, but it is not double width. For this double weave, the two layers change places where the blocks change, so the upper and lower layer are interlocked, and the weft at the sides interlock, too. For something double width, it’s the same two-layer concept, but the layers interlock only on one selvedge, so it can unfold when off the loom. This throw is 103cm (about 41”) weaving width.
Very happy weaving,
Karen
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Michelle says:
It’s lovely–and so is your perseverance and generosity in sharing! You are an inspiration!
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Hi Michelle, You are so kind! I’m very fortunate that I get to share what I enjoy with interested friends like you.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Valentine Towel
- By Karen
- February 16, 2018
- 10 Comments
“That red would make a very cheerful towel.” She was right! It is very cheerful. When someone whose weaving expertise I admire mentions a color, I want to use that color instead of the one I originally planned. This towel, with its red-and-white cheerfulness, is a testament to the positive influence of another person. The towel also makes me think of valentines. Perfect timing for this week. Do you remember giving innocent sentiments of love to classmates in elementary school on Valentine’s Day?
Beginning of towel with red 8/2 cotton weft. Golden bleached 16/2 linen is used for a decorative band on the towel.
White linen border near the end of the red towel. Ten shafts and ten treadles for five-shaft satin dräll.
Predominant red on the reverse side of the towel is cheerful indeed! One “Square Dot” towel remains on this warp.
Give. Now, we offer each other genuine expressions of love, not limited to one day of the year. When you give love you are giving something of great value—a part of yourself. God loved all of us by giving his dearly loved son. That’s the love that holds us and keeps us. His love influences us for the better. He so loved us, and so we love.
May the day of love come every day for you.
Love,
Karen
10 Comments
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These are lovely! I can’t wait to see them completed.
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Hi Beth, It won’t be long. I can see the end of the warp! I’m glad you like them!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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maggie leiterman says:
The weaving is lovely! Thanks for sharing! Your comment about classmates in elementary school reminded me of a box of mementos that I have tucked away in a drawer.The box and the content of the box belonged to my mama (1915-2005,) the content of the box is a collection of valentines that she cherished that were from her classmates and others. I cherish them and I hope someone in my family will take care of them after I go to the great beyond.
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Hi Maggie, How special to be the keeper of your mother’s treasures! It’s always fascinating to think of the childhood of a previous generation. Thanks for telling about it!
All the best,
Karen
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Martha says:
Karen that towel is just lovely, the pink and red compliment each other perfectly. Yummy!
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Hi Martha, It really is a delightful combination! I’m glad you like it!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Joanne Hall says:
Those thoughts of valentines bring us back to a most delightful time in our lives of giving and sharing. And thank you Karen for continuing to share with us.
Joanne-
Hi Joanne, You know how to make me smile. It’s my great pleasure to get to share with friends like you!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Elisabeth says:
A beatiful color combination! And what a wonderful idea to pull out a special towel to celebrate those special days. These beautiful towels could even double as tabletoppers. And the red towel would make a statement for Christmas, too 🙂
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Hi Elisabeth, It’s one of the joys of weaving that we can set aside particular towels or fabric for special occasions! And yes, I will probably use these as lovely table runners, too. I like to keep a handwoven topper – towel or square or runner – on my kitchen table to set the atmosphere in the room.
Great input, as always! Thanks,
Karen
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Weft Auditions for Square Dots
- By Karen
- February 6, 2018
- 11 Comments
I found sixteen weft colors to audition. And I am eliminating all but six—one main color for each of four towels, plus two border colors. This is five-shaft satin dräll hand towels with an 8/2 cotton warp. Good weft options on my shelves include 8/2 cotton, 22/2 cottolin, and 16/2 linen in various colors. And this time, we have square dots!
The warp is tied on and the lamms and treadles are tied up. All ten sheds (one for each of ten treadles) are checked and small adjustments made in the treadle tie-ups. Weft auditions commence!
Similar colors in different fibers. Teal in cotton, cottolin, and linen. Coral warp as weft would be an interesting monochrome option.
There is one qualification. The colors must fit the color palette of our Texas hill country home. A sample piece of thread doesn’t tell me enough; neither does a whole tube of thread. Twisting two colored threads together gives a decent clue, but even that is not enough. When the warp and the weft threads interweave on the loom the true colors are seen. And that’s when I can tell you which colors I will keep.
Sample includes sixteen weft colors (two or three rows for some). Four are chosen for the main colors for a set of hand towels. Two extra colors are selected to use for border designs.
First towel has Slate 8/2 cotton weft, with an accent of Silver 22/2 cottolin for a border stripe.
Isn’t that the way it goes with truth? Hearing words isn’t enough; even extensive hearing isn’t enough. Paying attention to what you hear is good, but it mustn’t stop there. We need to understand. Hear and understand. The meaning of the words intersect with thoughtful reflection. Truth enters through understanding. And that’s when we can see which threads to keep.
May truth be woven into your life.
With you,
Karen
11 Comments
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Love your message, Linda! Thanks for your spiritual insights shared with us.
Question: What is the white thread that looks almost like a basted thread, across the groups that are tied on for this warp? I can see that you were able to go right into weaving without a heading. Is that a technique or just good warping?
Thanks for any suggestions you can offer! 🙂-
Hi Joyce, It’s a lifelong journey to hear and understand, isn’t it?
You are seeing the leveling cord. I use a length of seine twine (12/6 cotton rug warp) to go over and under each tied-on section of threads. The threads must be tied on with half of the bundle going over the tie-on bar and half going under the tie-on bar. The leveling cord is pulled tight, and the ends of the cord are tied through the hole at each end of the tie-on bar. This simple technique flattens out (levels) the warp, and enables weaving from the very start. No scrap weft necessary.
It’s that simple. 🙂
Happy weaving,
Karen -
Joyce, I should have pointed you to this post I wrote about the leveling string – Tools Day: Leveling String.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Betsy says:
Love the stripe!!
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Hi Betsy, I’m glad you like it. I like the way it looks like it overlays the fabric, like a wide ribbon.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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I like the white. And that red would make a very cheerful towel.
Joanne-
Hi Joanne, The white practically pops off the fabric. It does look good. And the canary red is spectacular on the coral warp, which surprised me. Now I’m tempted to use the red, even though it didn’t make the final four, just because you said so.
All the best,
Karen
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Annie Lancaster says:
I must say that I like the sample with all the colors! At least for one trowel. I never heard of a leveling string. Perhaps because it wouldn’t work on a Rigid Heddle loom.
I was so focused on the different colors of square that my brain did not compute the stripes. The comments about listening and understanding definitely apply to someone like me because I tend to get lost in the details. This was a very needed reminder.
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Hi Annie, I like the multi-colored sample, too! It may end up being a short towel, or something… You may be able to use a leveling string on your rigid heddle loom. I haven’t done that, but it might be worth some experimentation.
Taking listening to the level of understanding is a constant challenge, and worth the effort it takes.
All the best,
Karen
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Breezy Easy Weaving
- By Karen
- June 27, 2017
- 6 Comments
Let’s take M’s and O’s beyond the ordinary. Treadling variations bring out interesting patterns. And a little bit of color in the right places makes a unique border stripe. What other designs will emerge on the remaining towels, I wonder?
Treadling variations produce an interesting pattern in this M’s and O’s fabric.
Border pattern uses one of my favorite techniques, the two-pick stripe, to draw a fine line. The center “ribbon” of the border pattern uses two shuttles to alternate the weft colors.
Some projects on the loom are complicated and tedious. This one isn’t. With primarily one shuttle and simple treadling, this is breezy easy weaving. The hard work was in the hours of preparation, dressing the loom. Threading and sleying 896 ends is no small achievement. But now, because of that work, it’s pure enjoyment to sit here and weave.
Ready for the next M’s and O’s design.
My sister came to visit, so, of course, she is persuaded to try her hand at weaving. Lookin’ good, Sis!
Forgiveness is hard work, too. It takes effort to put away bitterness and anger. But we must. It paves the way for unhindered kindness, which our world desperately needs. Forgiveness changes you. If you’ve been forgiven, you know that. A forgiven person becomes a forgiving person. And when we forgive, which is never easy, we are threading heddles and sleying the reed. Our efforts make way for the pure enjoyment of dispensing kindness. And we discover that the fabric of our life is being made into something beyond the ordinary.
May you be on the receiving end of forgiveness.
Love,
Karen
The Discovery Towels workshop in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, August 24-26, is filling up! If you’d like to join us, call Debbie (at the number below) right away. I would love to see you there!
Our weaving classes for May, June and July are filled ( but you can sign up on a waiting list!) and we still have a few…
Posted by Shoppes at Fleece 'N Flax on Wednesday, May 10, 2017
6 Comments
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Bruce says:
Kind words to live by….thank you.
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Pam C. says:
I needed that message. Thank you for following the Holy Spirit’s lead, for many see the need to forgive. Especially me.
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Pam, Thanks for letting me know how this touched you! This is a message I am “preaching” to myself. We’re all in this together.
Love,
Karen
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Hi, Karen,
Did I miss something? I haven’t received an “Warped for Good” for since this entry June 27 2017. I miss hearing from you.-
Hi Pam, Thanks for checking. I’ll be back soon! I have stepped out for the month of July. I will greet you again with a new post on Tuesday, August 1st!
Happy weaving!
Karen
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Copyright © 2019
What a timely post this is! I have a long striped towel warp on that I was getting seriously bored with after only two towels. Right now it’s 4S/2T in a straight draw, but I was mulling over putting more treadles on and fiddling with the tie-up. Thanks for helping me decide (I’m prone to dithering). Bless you, Karen.
Hi Joanna, I tend to thrive on variety. Maybe you’re like me in that regard? I have changed the tie-up three times on this warp so far. With only four shafts, it’s an easy way to change things up. The instructions that came with the Vavstuga towel kit gave different tie-up options, so I thought – why not do them all? 🙂
Happy weaving,
Karen
Your posts are so inspiring! How do you use the grosgrain ribbon? as a measuring device? Like a cash register tape bit not as bulky and fragile.?
Thanks ,in advance ,for your help in explaining that process!
Kris
Hi Kristin, Welcome!
The marked grosgrain ribbon came with the Vavstuga towel kit. I normally use twill tape for the same purpose – to pre-measure the desired length of what I am weaving. Here’s a blog post I wrote about it: Tools Day: Measured Weaving
Happy weaving!
Karen
Welcome home, Karen! I am sure that you missed your looms! Were you able to finish the tapestry from Big Bend?
I also like to try different tie ups or striping when I make towels. I like the combination of striping and pattern you have with those colors.
Hi Annie, I made some good progress on my Big Bend tapestry while away. But my floor looms have a louder voice in calling me than the portable frame loom does. I guess I better set aside some quiet evening time to finish the tapestry.
Thanks!
Karen
Five sentences, so precious, choose the narrow path!
Thank you and Blessings.
Linda
Thank you, Karen, for such wise words. I had been questioning my decision to simplify my life. While simplification is good for contemplation it can be a bit lonely. Weaving provides those moments for contemplation and it is encouraging to hear from someone who is like-minded. To know Christ’s narrow path is well worth it. Then I realize I’m not so lonely after all. Indeed, thank you for the encouraging words.
Hi Pam, We’re in this together!
All the best,
Karen