yarnworker

Yarnworker's Fall 2019 weave-along has concluded. Thanks to all for weaving along! 

You are welcome to register for a small fee, review all the material, and see the questions that have been asked and answered, although I won't be answering any new questions.

Please join us for a future weave-along. They are free while active and always free for patrons of the Yarnworker School.

Here is more information about weave-alongs generally and this weave-along specifically. 

Weave-Alongs offer an opportunity for you to weave a published pattern in the company of your fellow weavers. As your host, I'll offer tips, videos, supplemental handouts, resources, and act as the head cheerleader. 

A big shout out to all the patrons, the Yarnworker School's booster community, who have kept these weave-alongs FREE!* Over 3,500 weavers have registered to weave along, and this is only possible because of patron support. 

For more information about the school, weave-alongs, and how to become a patron, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on my website. 

Heddles up!

Liz

About the Project

The next Yarnworker Weave-Along project is a little different from ones we have done in the past. Rather than focusing on one specific project, we are going to take a generic form—the scarf—and look at three ways to weave it, highlighting variegated yarns.

We are often tempted by beautiful hand-dyed or commercially prepared yarns with tantalizing color combinations. Figuring out the best way to use them can be a puzzle. I'll introduce you to three ways to use variegated yarns in the warp—pick-up lace, pooled, and clasped. 

The term "variegated" can refer to many things. Pick-up lace and clasped warps can highlight any multi-colored yarns you have in your stash. Pooled warping works best with hand-painted yarns with distinct bands of color.

This weave-along will allow you to weave a project wherever you are on your weaving journey. The first technique, pick-up lace, is the most beginner friendly. The second technique, planned pooling, is most easily accompanied by using a warping board or pegs, not in the way you might think, and the final technique uses the direct method in a unique way.

An additional stealth objective is beefing up your yarn choosing, sett selecting skills, and working on fundamental weaving techniques. So, while the warping techniques may be new, the fundamentals of yarn selection and weaving techniques are the same for all your weaving projects.

How Weave-Alongs Work

Each week, I'll provide tips to supplement the published pattern information. As always, this is a go-at-your-own pace experience. If you are chomping at the bit and want to get started, then dive right in. If you feel like you would benefit from seeing the tips associated with each week before proceeding to the next step, then you may want to weave along with the schedule. 

You can ask question on each individual video. I check in at least once a day, Monday-Friday and, occasionally, on weekends. I take Sundays off from screens. For more information about using this platform, check out tips for navigating the school in the header of the school page. 

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner 

This weave-along is designed for an advanced beginner. I assume that you have already woven a few projects, can warp your loom without assistance, and have a basic understanding of weaving terminology.

SCHEDULE

October 16: Registration link available, welcome information, tips on selecting yarns.

October 30: Warp

November 6: Weave

November 13: Finishing

November 20: Show and Tell!

Videos will be posted by noon Mountain time on the appointed day.

Yarn and Loom Requirements

EQUIPMENT

Rigid-heddle loom with at least a 10'' weaving width, 2 stick shuttles. The pattern will have information for 8-, 10-, and 12-dent reeds. Optional: 10-inch pick-up stick for lace, warping board or pegs for pooled warping; a swift is also helpful, but you can work from a center-pull ball.

YARN

A big thanks to SweetGeorgia Yarns for providing the yarns I’m using during this weave-along. They put together a yarn pack with the exact yarns I’m using during the weave-along. You can also purchase individual skeins. In addition, to the Tea Leaves colorway I’m using, suggestions for additional pairings include Flaxen Silk DK in Tapestry paired with either Mink or Mulberry (low contrast) or Ginger or Biscuit (high contrast) in Bulletproof Sock or CashSilk for weft; or Flaxen Silk DK in Grouse with Deep Cove, Hemlock, or Auburn (low contrast) or Melon, Pistachio, or Summer Skin (high contrast) in Bulletproof Sock or CashSilk for weft.

These are generic descriptions of the types of yarns I’ll be using, although the pattern is quite adaptable to many yarn sizes. As a general principle, I’m setting the yarn a little bit closer than a balanced plain weave sett and weaving with a finer yarn than the warp to create a slightly warp emphasis fabric.

Pick-Up Lace

Warp: 225 yds variegated, smooth, multi-plied (2 or more), variegated light worsted or DK weight, about 1,000 - 1,200 yd/lb.

Weft: 180 yds solid or semisolid, fingering weight, about 1,800 - 2,400 yds/lb, a similar color to the darkest color in your warp of any yarn construction.

Pooled

Warp: 225 yds handpainted yarn with large color repeats of 8-12'’ that is smooth, multi-plied (2 or more) worsted or DK weight, about 1,000 - 1,200 yds/lb.

Weft: 180 yds solid or semisolid, lace weight, about 2,500 - 3,200 yds/lb, a similar color to the darkest color in your warp yarn of any yarn construction.

Linked

Warp: 115 yds variegated, 115 yds solid, smooth, multi-plied (2 or more), DK weight, about 1,800 - 2,400 yds/lb. Solid should have high value contrast to variegated.

Weft: 180 yds solid or semisolid, fingering weight, about 1,800 - 2,400 yds/lb, a similar color to the darkest color in your warp.

Thanks again to the Yarnworker Patrons who make the Yarnworker School of Weaving possible.

Heddles Up!

Liz

*Weave-alongs are free for everyone while they are active through the thirty-day grace period after the weave-along has ended. A small fee will be assessed at that time. I won't answer questions after the weave-along has finished. 

The Four Looks Towels weave-along, our first on this platform, will always be free and all weave-alongs will be free forever to patrons who make them possible!