Ello thar! I was referred to this website from a crafter over at Milliande Art Community (one of my favorite places on the netz)!
I have several books, but as I am a visual learning and I do by seeing it done...sometimes text to project can be hard for me. I see a project I want to do in the book Magic of Handweaving on page 134 (Sigrid Piroch). It's a lace huck towel that is a reproduction of an "antique" towel (so says the author). I have a 4 shaft table loom that I have already completed my first project on, a plain weave table runner. I really like the look of the diamond pattern huck with the scallop edge. Is that possible to reproduce on a 4 shaft loom? The project plans also say that it is 24 inches in the reed...my loom is only 16 inches wide with a 12 dent reed (I do know how to thread more than one through a dent, so no issues there). Is it possible to weave a wider project on a smaller loom without having to do double layers? Anyone have the book that could help me with this connundrum (well, to me it is)?
Thanks!!
Sorry, but unless you double weave you can't make seamless fabric wider than your loom's weaving width. I recommend you use the 16" as the width and weave a series of 24" -26" long towels. A finished width of 15"x20something" is an ample size for dish towels/hand towels. I don't know about Sigrid's huck pattern, but there's plenty of 4 frame huck available at: http://allfiberarts.com/2011/blhucklace.... Perhaps one of those would do? This sounds like a fun project. Go for it!
You could also look at the number of ends per inch and the repeats and reduce the number to make it fit on you loom.
Thanks Mrdubyah!
Weave2, I'm not to the point of understanding how to do that just yet. I will keep those options in mind. :)
Thanks ya'll!
Weaving is rather a complex task. Jumping in cold is a start, but you really need to study several books or take multiple lessons to understand the scope of weaving and find your place within the craft.
Each of us needed to go through this learning process - and yes, even learning by methods not judged "to be my way of learning" and pick up the necessary skills. Internet forums are nice, but not the vehicle to give you free basic instruction.
C4G, you won't be able to do a double layer of huck on your 4 shaft loom, but you can sew two or more strips together to make any width desired. I don't have Sigrid's book at the moment, but generally the process starts by dividing the desired width in half. If you intend to sew by butting the two edges together you will likely add at least one or two threads to the edge which will be joined. If you will join with a regular seam or an overlapped seam, add the seam allowance (or half the overlap) to that edge. With huck it would work best to have at least a little plain weave at the seam - it is tough to join if the selvages are wavy.
I can give you general directions for making huck diamonds, but it would be better if you give me more information about the pattern you are using so that what I tell you matches your vision rather than confusing you.
It is exciting to be starting to weave and trying out patterns for the first time! Huck is one of my favorite structures - it has many possibilities and versatility, yet has just one shuttle and is easier to weave than many structures. However, it is going to feel like a reach after just one plain weave piece. Simple diamonds may take repeating 20 different steps in the weaving instead of the 2 required for plain weave.
cheers and best wishes,
Laurie Autio
Gee Sara, next time why don't you just keep it to yourself unless you have something that would actually be helpful instead of degrading.
Thanks for your offer of help Laurie. Think I have the jest of it. Almost ready to start weaving with a pattern that I found on Weaving Today.
CG4, please don't take what Sara said as degrading. Weaving is a craft that takes time and skill. People can help you if you take time to get basic knowledge from lessons or take time to read a book and apply the info. Many of us have spent countless dollars to learn our craft and it is discouraging to see beginners think that all of us should teach for free. Don't think of the internet as the only place to learn. Look around for a guild, look around for other weavers and physical shops that teach weaving. Count yourself lucky that you have this resourse but don't discount other avenues of learning. Deb Mc
So C4G, how's the towel project coming? Are you weaving yet? Let us know if we can be of further assistance.
Sara wasn't trying to degrade you. She was giving you sound advice by saying that maybe you should learn a bit more before you try a more advanced project. I know my level and pass on some really great weaves because I'm not at the level of knowledge I would need to do it correctly.
I suggest you try to find a guild and see if any members would help you personally.
