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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Only Five Centimeters!
- By Karen
- October 23, 2018
- 8 Comments
Five centimeters is not very far! That’s all that‘s left of this Lizard tapestry. I expect to cut it off in a day or two. What a delight this first attempt at four-shaft tapestry has been!
Close to cutting off! The Lizard will soon appear in the completed woven image.
Nobody makes a masterpiece on their first try. It takes practice—lots of it. And that’s something I’m eager to do. The experience has been richly satisfying as a weaver. I am invigorated by the challenge of paying attention to a cartoon, and then watching the image grow on the loom. It’s like painting by number, only better. I get to “make” the paint with multiple strands of yarn.
Afternoon sun gives an added dimension to the wool tapestry image.
Many weft color changes are in the last few centimeters, which keeps it interesting. And I don’t mind the slow pace because I don’t really want the experience to end.
We need something to guide us. We need to align our lives with a sure standard of truth, like matching up the image being woven with the center warp end, so we won’t drift off course. Pay attention to the truth. There are persuasive arguments and countless opinions, but isn’t it truth that helps makes sense of reality? God opens our eyes and hearts to see truth. And as we pay attention to truth, and align with it, we get to experience the amazing view of his tapestry being woven all around us.
May you know when to pay attention.
Happy weaving,
Karen
8 Comments
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susie weitzel says:
I have been following this tapestry closely. So very anxious to see the finished work of art.
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Hi Susie, I’m holding my breath, too, as I reach the end of the weaving. Cutting off is next!!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Margaret says:
Thank you for your weaving words. May your day be blessed.
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Marjorie Clay says:
Can you explain briefly how the multiple shafts work in creating this tapestry? When I think of tapestry, I think of Navajo weaving, which is essentially plain weave. How do the different sheds available on a 4-shaft loom work on a tapestry?
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Hi Marjorie, Most tapestry is woven on two shafts. With four shafts I can thread the loom for plain weave and a rosepath or twill threading, and then I have plain weave and a patterned weave for the tapestry. This Lizard tapestry has a rosepath threading. I became interested in this type of tapestry after seeing some of Joanne Hall’s tapestries, and pictures of Helena Hernmarck’s tapestries. This is a new endeavor for me, so I’m still learning how it all works (or should work).
Karen
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Liberty says:
I’m so excited to see it!!
Liberty
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Tapestry at Full Snail Speed
- By Karen
- September 18, 2018
- 6 Comments
I am determined to have this off the loom before it’s time to move again. I know exactly how many “weaving days” I have left in this apartment. Steve’s retirement is just around the corner. His last day at work will be our last day here. And I know exactly how many centimeters I have left to weave on this piece. We already moved the loom once in the middle of this tapestry. Once is enough! I intend to make significant weaving progress every single day.
My measure tape shows that I have woven 80 centimeters. I will cross the finish line when I reach 125 centimeters.
Now that the image of the lizard is finished all the way to his toes, no more pretty green, blue, or red butterflies. I am removing anything that clutters my focus. Full (snail) speed ahead!
Lizard’s foot tries to grip the breast beam. There is no longer a need for butterflies in the lizard’s colors. Only the background log remains.
All the green, blue, and red butterflies have been removed. A simple color palette remains–white, yellow, tan, gray, brown, and black.
Faith is that kind of determination. Faith is more than thinking you believe something or someone. It’s pouring yourself into pure-hearted focus to trust fully in God. Faith is being so convinced that Jesus is the answer that you will stop at nothing to reach him. Where there’s that kind of will, there’s a way.
May you reach your most-pressing goal.
Your speedy snail,
Karen
6 Comments
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Joyce Lowder says:
Beautiful description of faith! Our strength comes from God and He helps us to persevere as we move toward the goal. TRUST is the fuel that keeps us forging ahead. God bless you as you reach this goal…and others, ahead for you. 🙂
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Good morning, Joyce, Well said! Trust is the fuel, and even that is a gift from God.
All the best,
Karen
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Good morning Karen,
~ 2/3rds of the way complete with most of the kinks worked out. Nice place to be in. A firm foundation established. Everything in place to complete your tapestry.Kind regards,
Nannette
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Good morning Nannette, Thanks for the positive outlook! That’s always the best view of things.
All the best,
Karen
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Annie says:
I hope the determination to reach your goal will not rob you of the joys of weaving, Karen. I can’t believe how the time is flying and how fast the move is coming. I know you looking forward to it, though.
Thank you for sharing your rag rug process at the WOW meeting. I learned a great deal. I have your handout with my notes to reference when make my next one.
I have no doubt that you will reach your goal.
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Hi Annie, It will take a lot to make me lose my joy in weaving. This tapestry weaving is a true pleasure, and when I’m at the loom I lose track of time and everything else. Unless something totally unexpected happens, I’m sure to meet my goal.
I’m happy to hear you benefitted from the rag rug demo. I hope I get to see your next rag rug!
Thanks friend,
Karen
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Grow Lizard Grow
- By Karen
- August 17, 2018
- 4 Comments
There are no growth spurts with this lizard. He is certainly growing, but at a slow and steady rate. If I can keep this pace of about ten centimeters a week, I will be able to finish this tapestry before we move from the apartment—our temporary residence. The timeline is set. Will this slow-going, slow-growing lizard cross the finish line before I must dismantle the loom again? Time will tell. I have woven fifty centimeters. I have seventy-five centimeters to go.
Lizard’s foot and leg are starting to disappear around the breast beam on the right-hand side of the loom.
Head of the lizard is visible on the cartoon under the warp. Many wool butterflies crowd each other, due to frequent color changes in the details.
Lizard is visibly growing. Currently working on the red mouth and blue eye.
Grow. We are woven together by loving each other. Each of us, like strands of wool yarn, with our own degree of hue, saturation, and value, not to mention twist and plies, are united with each other when we hold fast to Jesus Christ, the designer and weaver. His tapestry grows, not in spurts, but slow and steady, year after year, century after century. Always teaching us to love his way—sacrificially. And we know he has just enough time to finish the tapestry masterpiece that he has envisioned from the very beginning.
May you see slow and steady progress in things that matter.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
4 Comments
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Liz Dewsnap says:
I love how you ‘weave in’ truths from God’s word and His love into your posts. AND….you weaving is amazing! I have been weaving a short time and would love to have more time to devote to this delightful craft! Also knit, do paper crafts & sew. And I help care for aging parents and delightful grand boys. Never enough time to do all I would like – I guess I will have to wait till the kingdom :-). So much joy!!!
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Hi Liz, You are in a very active season right now! It’s good you are enjoying what’s in front of you. Weaving is my favorite creative activity, so I go to the loom as often as I can.
Thanks for taking time to comment!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Good morning Karen,
I saw your post while waiting for the storms to pass over before heading north for a few days of exciting kitchen garden work.
On the up side.. Local food pantries will accept an excess of fresh produce from home gardens. The trial garden my son put in is very successful and many will share God’s abundance this growing season.
On the down side… it has been a few months since picking up a shuttle and I suspect it is accumulating dust.
The detail of the lizard tapestry requires thoughts to focus on nothing but what you are doing. Not the temporary housing. Not the tying up of one life to transfer to another. Not when to contact the movers, or how are the grand babies doing. Just….. where would God put this color? Just saying that makes me calm down, and it is not my project.
Let’s all enjoy the moment.
Nannette
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Ten Centimeters of Tapestry
- By Karen
- June 1, 2018
- 6 Comments
Slow weaving is even slower when a full week goes by since you last touched the loom. If only I could sit here and do this every day, hours at a time. But other responsibilities…and other looms call for my attention.
First ten centimeters of the tapestry is complete. Plastic baskets hold the wool yarn beside the loom, sorted by color and value.
Color blending is achieved by combining various colors and weights of wool yarn.
We don’t see much of the main subject yet. I am intensely eager to see a distinguishable image. I suspect you may be eager to see it, as well. But I know it’s coming, so I gladly pursue this adventure, one row at a time.
Elements of shading and texture in the beginning background of the four-shaft tapestry.
Tapestry is being woven from the side. So, this is the direction the tapestry will hang.
Gladly. We need strength beyond ourselves to endure and be patient—with gladness. Endurance and patience with a glad attitude is an indicator of maturity. Strength for endurance is one of the treasures that God supplies when we ask. And he reminds us that he sees the completed picture. And that it’s worth the pursuit. Aren’t you glad?
May you find patience for waiting.
Gladly weaving,
Karen
6 Comments
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Rachel Lohman says:
Karen, totally understand. Working on a plaid that takes changes often. As a newbie on the loom it is a test of patience to see the finished piece – like an expectant parent – excited and wanting the child to be born. Can’t wait to see your progress. Love the rich wools!
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Hi Rachel, That’s a great comparison – the patience of expectant parents!
These wools are fun to work with. I like the feel of them in my hands.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Good morning,
My rosepath rag rug waits while the social events of May filled my days. Now it is the garden running rampant with the leap from spring to summer. … Patience. God certainly filled May with wonderful things…. baby shower, high school and college graduations, preparing for Memorial Day….
My loom is very patient.
Visually what you are sharing looks like a warm rug to be placed with honor in front of a fireplace…. I want to reach out and stroke the colors…. I look forward to your next posting of this mystery project.
Nannette-
Hi Nannette, Every day is filled with choices and priorities. Patience is often part of making the best choices.
Thanks!
Karen
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Joanne Hall says:
Hi Karen,
It is truly beautiful already.
Joanne
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