Process Review: Leftover Linen Waffle Weave Washcloths
- By Karen
- October 22, 2019
- 18 Comments
This is the kind of weaving results that makes me giggle like a child. Waffle weave is one of those things I have been intrigued about for some time, and have wanted to give it a try. Will it really buckle up into waffled wrinkles? Will linen do that? Will it be even better than I expect? Yes, yes, and YES. Talk about transformation!
Everything in these waffle weave washcloths is linen that has been leftover from previous projects. The tail end of linen tubes, quills that didn’t quite get used up, thrums, and threading missteps that gave me skinny warp chains of several meters. The warp is 16/2 linen, but the weft is everything from fine linen threads, to bundles of threads, to coarse linen rug warp. I discovered, as you will see, that the thicker the weft, the more pronounced the wrinkles. The thickest wefts have given me delightful accordion pleats.
Please enjoy this process video of the making of leftover linen waffle weave washcloths! Watch to the end to see the squishiness of this unusual cloth.
Don’t think that this is the end of waffle weave. I am already thinking of all the interesting possibilities…
May your best wrinkles make you giggle.
Happy Happy Weaving,
Karen
18 Comments
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Tried and True: Another Use for Thrums
- By Karen
- May 14, 2019
- 9 Comments
Handwoven towels need handwoven hanging tabs. I finished the Vavstuga cottolin towel warp, so now it’s time to put my band loom to use. Why not use the warp thrums to make the woven band? The length of the thrums is too short for the band loom, so I am knotting two ends together for each strand.
Everything is starting out just fine, but my inexperience with the “weaver’s knot” proves problematic. One by one, the knots are working themselves loose. I re-tie each failed knot into a confident square knot. Finally, after three weaver’s knot failures, I decided to advance the warp far enough to get past the knots altogether. Smooth sailing after that, and I still ended up with plenty of woven band for the six woven towels.
I like finding another good use for the thrums. So, I will do this again. But next time, I’ll do a refresher on knot tying before I begin.
May your knots hold tight.
All the best,
Karen
9 Comments
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Nancy says:
What a great idea!
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It is great to find a use for the thrums. I cringe when the work of the spinner is cut away. My last thrums were set aside for raspberry tie ups. Someone else I know uses hers for pillow stuffing.
I am not familiar with a weaver’s knot. Would you have time in a future posting describe?
Kind regards,
Nannette
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Hi Nannette, I haven’t found a lot of uses for thrums, so I’m happy when it works out like this.
I don’t think you should learn the weaver’s knot from me until I get better at myself. 🙂 Jenny Bellairs shows a terrific way of tying it – see the link in her comment below this.
All the best,
Karen
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I know the people in the weaving industry can tie the weaver’s knot very quickly, but unless I need the tiny knot, I find it is quicker to put the two ends together and tie an overhand knot.
I did find some instructions quite a few years ago that I was actually able to remember without looking up instructions, and made a pictorial blog post here: https://jennybellairs.blogspot.com/search?q=Weaver’s+knot
It doesn’t seem to work well on all weights of yarn though, especially thick firm yarns.
Karen, I enjoy your blog posts and look forward to learning something new, especially since getting my Glimakra Standard 10 shaft loom last summer.
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Hi Jenny, Thank you so much for posting your pictorial blog post on tying this knot–Super! I definitely want to try that out. And yes, an overhand knot would have served me better in this instance. Maybe I’ll think of that next time! Thanks!
I hope you are enjoying your Glimakra Standard 10 shaft loom as much as I enjoy mine!
Happy weaving,
Karen -
Thank you Jenny,
The knot looks so easy to be such a challenge. Thank you for sharing your blog. Besides Karen’s blog I have been binging on the vlog Curmudeon66 out of DePere Wisconsin. Content driven by a retired guy with the heart of a teacher.
My Blog is all over the place. The latest weaving posting is linked below. My work is primitive at best. Hoping to improve with each project.
http://piasinitimes.blogspot.com/2018/04/plarn-mat-for-homeless.htmlWhen I have time I will have to put in a few more posts of my spring projects.
Kind regards,
Nannette
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Rachel Lohman says:
Maybe take the trums and tie together and knit or crochet a washcloth?
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Hi Rachel, I like that idea. I’m not a knitter or crocheter, but I have friends who are. Maybe they would like to use my thrums.
I do have plans to use my saved linen thrums for weft in washcloths. I hope to do that sometime this year.
Thanks,
Karen
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Tools Day: Cartoon Support
- By Karen
- May 8, 2018
- 6 Comments
Alignment, security, and visibility are the main things I think about in regard to attaching and supporting the cartoon. In order to weave a tapestry this size, or any size for that matter, you need a good way to manage the cartoon. My cartoon is drawn onto a thin Pellon product (Pellon 830 Easy Pattern, 45″ wide) that is meant for pattern making. This material is easy to pin, doesn’t tear, and only barely wrinkles.
Alignment
Align center of cartoon to center of warp.
A blue dashed line from top to bottom of the cartoon marks the center. I also have a pencil mark on the exact center of my beater. When the blue line on the cartoon is perfectly aligned with the center warp end, as seen from the mark on the beater, I know my cartoon is in the correct position.
Security
- Pin the cartoon in two places on each side of the woven tapestry.
This warp is too wide for me to reach all the way to pin the cartoon in the center. So, on both sides of the weaving I place one flathead pin near the selvedge, and another one as far as I can comfortably reach toward the center. I move the pins forward each time I am ready to advance the warp.
- Hang a support slat under the cartoon.
I learned this from The Big Book of Weaving, by Laila Lundell, p. 239, 2008 edition. I used this method previously for a rag rug that had a cartoon for a large inlay pattern. It also works well for holding the cartoon for a woven transparency.
Seine twine loop with rubber band hangs from beater cradle. Slat holds cartoon up against the warp.
Supplies: 12/6 cotton seine twine, 2 rubber bands, long warping slat
1 Make a loop with the seine twine to hang from the beater cradle to just below the warp, with a rubber band on the loop.
2 Tie the ends of the loop with a bow knot or a weaver’s tie-up knot (this useful knot is described in How to Warp Your Loom, by Joanne Hall, p. 39).
Top of loop tied in a bow knot.
Weaver’s tie-up knot is perfect for this application, since it is quick and easy to undo and re-tie if repositioning is needed.
3 Make another loop the same way, with rubber band, and hang it on the other beater cradle.
4 Place the warping slat in the hanging rubber bands, underneath the cartoon.
5 Adjust the length of the loops so that the slat lightly presses up on the cartoon and the warp.
Rubber band gives flexibility to the seine twine loop that is holding up the cartoon.
- Pin the rolled-up cartoon underneath.
I roll up the Pellon cartoon under the warp and pin it once on each side. As the warp and cartoon advance I can reposition the pin as needed.
Under the warp, the cartoon is loosely rolled up and pinned.
- Move the slat toward the breast beam, out of the way, to beat in the weft.
Because of the rubber bands, the slat support has flexibility and does not impede the movement of the beater.
Visibility
Move the slat near to the fell line.
With the slat under or near the fell line, it presses the cartoon up to the warp. By doing this, I can easily see what comes next as the tapestry weaving develops row by row.
Placing the slat under the fell of the weaving raises the cartoon to visibility where it is needed most.
I wait for my ordered yarn to arrive. Meanwhile, I dream of this tapestry becoming a reality as cartoon meets wool.
May you have the alignment, security, and visibility you need.
All the best,
Karen
6 Comments
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Annie Lancaster says:
Good morning, Karen. I learn so much from your posts! This one is very timely for me as I have enrolled in the workshop for transparency weaving. Now I feel a little better prepared.
I never thought of applying the words alignment, security and visibility to life before but they are exactly what everyone needs. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Hi Annie, I’m glad you will be in the transparency workshop. I know it will be great! Just remember, there are about as many different ways to handle the cartoon as there are tapestry and transparency weavers. 🙂 I’m sure you will learn even more at the workshop!
Alignment, security, and visibility – for a balanced life.
All the best,
Karen
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Wonderful system! In future perhaps I should do my tapestries on my Glimakra, instead of my Lillstina on which it now languishes. The Lillstina has no beater cradle! Just goes to show, as Roseann Rosannadanna said, “it’s always something.”
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Hi Rebecca, I’m sure there’s a way to manage a cartoon on your Lillstina! My experience is limited to my Glimakra. I do think the Glimakra is a sweet loom for this type of weaving, though. I hope your tapestry revives soon. Life’s too short for a loom to be tied up with something that’s not working.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Thanks for the idea of the rubber bands. I will do that next time and I can see it will work better. You inspire me to start weaving something. I’ve been busy moving. Just curious who is teaching the transparency workshop?
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Hi Lynette, The rubber bands do make a big difference. I hope you get a chance weave something soon! Your transparencies are inspiring!
Laura Viada is teaching the transparency workshop in Houston. Her work is amazing. Laura is also going to teach the workshop in July at HGA Convergence in Reno.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Quiet Friday: Linen Satin Dräll
- By Karen
- January 26, 2018
- 18 Comments
This is one of those weaving projects that puts you on top of the world. Everything about it. Linen, ten shafts, five-shaft satin weave, ten treadles, gorgeous Moberg damask shuttle, single-shuttle rhythm, full-body weaving, magical fabric. I did have more than my share of knots in the warp, and a few skipped threads and selvedge loops. But you will see no evidence of those glitches now. All you will see is the natural beauty of linen, with its characteristic unevenness. And the reflective satin dräll weave, with its light-catching trickery.
The warp is Bockens unbleached 16/2 line linen. Two of the towels use 16/1 golden bleached linen for the weft. At my husband’s request, the remaining three towels have 16/2 linen weft, in ecru. The thicker weft helps make these into robust absorbent handtowels. A table square finishes off the set.
Enjoy the process with me as I reminisce over the start-to-finish pleasure of weaving these towels.
May you find pleasure in what you do.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
18 Comments
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Beth Mullins says:
Exquisite, Karen!
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JAN says:
Nice finishing touch with hand woven hanging tab. Had you ever though of putting another one in the middle of the long edge so the towel can be hung on a hook above the sink?
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Hi JAN, I haven’t done that, but it’s a great idea. I would need to figure out how to attach it, since there is not a hem on the side. These tabs would be a little too thick to fold the ends under, but could certainly do that with tabs made with thinner threads. Have you done it?
Thanks,
Karen
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Janet says:
Beautiful towels and beautifully woven!
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Hi Janet, They were enjoyable to weave. I’m happy that you like them!
Thanks so much,
Karen
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Betsy says:
Wonderful towels! And I’m so impressed that your husband knows enough about yarn to recommend 16/2 over 16/1.
Your little bowl of pegs next to the treadles reminds me of my last project, huck placemats. I could remember the treadling, but not the 18 repeats. So I had a bowl like yours with 18 pegs, and after every repeat I moved one peg to another bowl. And every once in a while I’d crawl around the Julia counting the repeats in case I made a mistake, lol.
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Hi Betsy, Haha, I may have given the wrong impression about my husband. He specified thicker, less dainty towels, and I chose the appropriate size of linen.
What a great way to keep track of repeats. I’m going to remember that!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Nancy Nordquist says:
These are absolutely beautiful! Than you for sharing so many photos and details of the process.
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Hi Nancy, It’s a delight for me to get to share what I enjoy doing. Thank you for your kind compliment!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Joanne Hall says:
Yes, this weave is magical and so fun to weave. And thank you for the beauticul photos. Did you use your phone to take these photos?
Joanne-
Hi Joanne, I feel so “at home” weaving something like this. It is satisfying and rewarding.
I use my iPhone 7 for all my photos. Steve has a very nice digital SLR camera, but I do best with the simple little iPhone. And it’s always in my pocket or on the table beside me. I take way too many pictures, and then I whittle them down to my very favorites to share here.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Barb says:
Beautiful design, beautifully woven. The joy & pleasure you have in weaving shows in every finished project. Each time you use these towels, you will be reminded of your enjoyment of the process of weaving. Thank you for sharing your talents and inspiring other weavers to find that joy!
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Hi Barb, Your thoughtful comments mean so much! If I can inspire another weaver to find a little more joy in this wonderful weaving process, that would be fantastic!
Part of the pleasure of having towels like this in my home is getting to see others enjoy the results, too.Thanks so much,
Karen
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Angela says:
Beautiful and inspirational!
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Gretchen says:
Love these Karen!! So simple and classic… and perfect! Beautiful.
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Hi Gretchen, Yes, certainly classic! There is something to be said for age-old designs.
All the best,
Karen
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Tools Day: Eliminating Warp Knots
- By Karen
- January 9, 2018
- 23 Comments
You are not going to believe how many knots I came across in this 16/2 linen warp! Too many. As I wound the warp I made the decision to leave most of the knots, and deal with them on the loom. (I did remove knots that were close to the beginning or ending peg on the warping reel.) I lost count, but I’m sure I have spliced the warp on this five-and-a-half-meter project at least a dozen times. (To see more details about how I splice the warp, visit this blog post and video: How To Splice the Warp – Video.)
I do not weave over warp knots. A knot introduces a spot of vulnerability to the fabric. Knots can fray, loosen, or come undone over time, even if the knot is originally imperceptible.
In a couple instances, a knot distorted the tension of the warp end because of catching on a heddle or passing through the reed. For that reason, I now try to eliminate knots in the warp before they reach the heddles.
Tool: Warp Separator
- Identify the warp end that has a knot, and insert the warp separator between warp ends to isolate the thread.
- With a length of repair warp thread, follow the path of the original thread to splice in the new warp end, feeding it through the heddle of the original warp end.
- Bring the repair warp thread through the reed in the same dent as the warp end that has a knot.
- Attach the repair warp thread near the fell by wrapping it around a flat straight pin.
- Remove the warp separator from between the warp ends.
- Place a weight on the floor below the back beam. Wrap the repair thread around the weight two or three times to hold the thread at tension that matches the rest of the warp. Loosen the wrapped-around thread before advancing the warp, and then re-tighten before resuming weaving.
- Weave one to two inches with both the original warp end and the repair warp thread in place.
- Then, cut the original warp end with the knot (behind the heddles) and let it hang over the back beam.
- The original and replacement warp ends overlap in the weaving for about one to two inches.
- Remove the straight pin when it reaches the breast beam.
- Re-attach the original warp end when it is long enough to secure in front of the fell line with a flat straight pin.
- And then, cut and remove the replacement warp thread.
- Trim all the spliced warp tails after wet finishing.
Warp separator guy, ready to jump in and help!
This warp separator was a gift from The Weavers and Spinners Society of Austin, included in the goodie bag from last summer’s Contemporary Handweavers of Texas Conference. It would not be hard to make a warp separator like this from wood or sturdy cardboard. I have not been able to locate a supplier online.
If you know where to find a warp separator tool, please put a link in the comments.
May you have very few warp knots.
All the best,
Karen
23 Comments
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Here’s one! Do you think the “handle” on yours makes it easier to manage?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/250890539/warp-string-separator-for-isolating?ref=shop_home_active_6
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Great! I love seeing that other creative minds are up early with me.
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Pam Graham says:
Hi Karen,
Great post as always. I found one at Windhaven Fiber Tools on Etsy. Yours is cuter, though.
Thank you for all you do.Pam Graham
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Hi Pam, Thanks for the input. I don’t know how I missed the one from Windhaven Fiber Tools. Yes, the one I have certainly has the cuteness factor.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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I took Basics at Vavstuga last summer. We had knots in the wool blanket warp, and Becky taught us to fix them. I’d see one coming and get ready, and at 5 PPI, and working so fast, by the time I thought about it again it was long past the fell line. In a fulled wool blanket that doesn’t get a lot of use in South Texas, hopefully it will be okay.
I have the same warp separator tool. 🙂 That was my first conference and the goodie bag blew me away.
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Hi Betsy, Oh yes, I had the same experience at Vavstuga, and my wool blanket has knots hidden in it, too! If only knots in linen were that easy to fix.
This is the first weaving conference I’ve been to in about 30 years, and the goodie bag was incredible! Yay, you have the same cute warp separator guy!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Jane Milner says:
How long and wide is your warp separator guy? He’s really cute!
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Hi Jane, My little guy is about 4 7/8″ long and 2″ at the widest part at the top. He gets the job done, and he brings a smile!
Karen
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Thanks!
Jane
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Heres a link for a video on the Windhaven warp tool. My daughter makes them, its her shop. thanks for the interest!
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Hi Sherri, Thank you so much! It’s wonderful to know where to get this useful little tool. I appreciate the informative video!
Happy Weaving,
Karen-
Thanks! I do like yours though! What a cute little guy! We started making them because I’m a weaver and I could not find one anywhere. I saw a picture of one a long time ago and thought it would be so handy! And I showed Maggie and she played around and made the design just nice and clean and simple. They are fairly popular! Thanks a bunch…
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Kitty says:
I found ghis on Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/listing/250890539/warp-string-separator-for-isolating?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=warp%20separator&ref=sr_gallery-1-5
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Hi Kitty, Thanks! I think the Windhaven warp tool wins! It’s the only shop I’ve seen so far that makes these.
Karen
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Hi! Excellent post. Handywoman on Etsy has the cutest warp separators with alpacas, dogs, and cats! https://www.etsy.com/listing/587756163/warp-spreader-separator?ref=shop_home_active_10
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Hi Christina, Thank you so much! I am very happy to know of another resource!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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hi karen, i made those for the wssa using the lasers at makeatx, my laser cutting studio in east austin. the wssa may have some spares they are selling, but if not, i am happy to make more! our website is makeatx.com, and inquiries can be sent to workshop@makeatx.com.
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Hi Kristen, I am very happy to know where to get more of these warp separators! Thank you for letting us know.
All the best,
Karen
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d m Urquidi says:
So where can I get one and how much?
I had seen it before and liked the idea then. But did not have my loom up and running at that time.
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Hi d m, You can try sending an email to wssaustin.org@gmail.com and ask if they have any more warp separators. Or try one of the resources other people have mentioned in the comments above. I don’t know what the prices are.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Copyright © 2019
I have been waiting to see the final results and they are super! What a cool idea!
Enjoy using them, I’m sure they will feel wonderful!
Hi Geri, They do feel great in hand. I didn’t know what to expect for sure, but I’m pleased with the outcome.
Happy weaving,
Karen
I love that you made these beautiful washcloths out of “useless” material! I consider leftovers a precious resource, and I find so much joy in finding a purpose for them whether it’s yarn, thread, fabric, or food 🙂
Hi Elisabeth, It’s satisfying to put some scraps back to use. I’ll save all my linen thrums again, and in a few years I’ll have enough to use them up again.
Happy weaving,
Karen
Those are great! I’ll bet they’ll feel great on your skin as well.
I made waffle weave towels several years ago and loved how they came out. Unfortunately I gave them all away, so if I want some for myself, I’ll have to weave more. Maybe washcloths would be better. Or both!
Hi Betsy, I made enough that I can keep a couple of them and use the rest as gifts. I would enjoy having this linen waffle weave as towels, or even bath towels.
Thanks,
Karen
I too have saved my 16/2 linen thrums from my tapestry warps. This would be a fun project for making a couple bath towels. Thanks for the film.
Hi Joanne, I can’t get myself to throw linen thrums away, so I was glad to have a way to use them up. Bath towels would be wonderful! I’m glad you enjoyed the film.
Happy weaving,
Karen
Very creative! I like the end result. Did you weave the hems in plainweave, and then fold over, or just fold over the waffle ends? I also like that you left ends as a reminder…..
Hi Laurie, I did weave the hens in plain weave and folded them under twice. It turned out to be a very narrow hem. The little weft tails add an interesting touch, and makes the washcloths look a little…rustic. 🙂
Thanks,
Karen
I’ve used waffle weave for baby blankets out of cotton and it makes a cozy blanket!
Linda, I think cotton waffle weave baby blankets would be amazing! I wouldn’t mind having a full-size one for myself.
Happy weaving,
Karen
An interesting use of thrums.
I’m wondering why you didn’t use a simple slip knot to join the pieces? It would make it much faster than untying square knots. I use them all the time if I have a break in my thread when winding bobbins.
Hi Jenny, A slip would work great for this. I like the square knot because I can tie it with less thread, and it makes a small knot. Also, surprisingly, it’s one of the easiest knots to untie.
I just pull one end straight, and the other end slips off. That’s not the best description, but it’s a snap to undo a square knot…most of the time.
Happy weaving,
Karen
Hi Karen,
It was fun to watch the video. I wonder if a one of a kind scarf could be made with the hodge podge of thrums? Or, a gypsy skirt ala Stevie Nicks? LOL.
Thank you.
Hi Nannette, A hodge podge of thrums would make a terrific scarf. I’d like a linen waffle weave scarf, in fact. Maybe next time.
All the best,
Karen
Wow! These turned out so fun! And I love the ki mark on the shuttle!!
Love, Emily
Hi Emily, Thanks for dropping by! I am thrilled with the way these turned out.
Steve woodburns my initials on my shuttles and tools for me.
All the best,
Karen