Howdy all.
My son's preschool auction is in November, and I've had requests for more handwovens from me.
Scrounging in my stash, I came upon some lovely mohair boucle that I would like to turn into a shawl/wrap, something that would bring in some bucks at the auction.
I am an intermediate weaver, like to weave with silk, and love to weave with linen.
BUT: I have no experience with mohair boucle.
Can I use it as warp and weft? I have about 2 pounds.
I guess my biggest fear is tangling, and sheds that won't open.
Another thing: I have a tendency to overbeat and end up with very FIRM fabric sometimes, which is what I don't want here, obviously.
Width, length? Ideas needed here.
Any help you can give me would be gladly accepted. I don't have a ypp on this yarn yet, but I usually don't have trouble coming up with a decent sett.
Allen
Hi Allan, weaving with mohair boucle' should not be a problem. Do a snap test to see how strong the yarn is. If it withstands several firm snaps it should be fine.
You're right, you don't want to weave the yarn densely but leave lots of room for the boucle to have 'elbow' room. I wrote an article for Handwoven several years ago and used 4 or 6 epi/ppi depending on how lofty the yarn was.
You don't actually *beat* this yarn. Rather it is a very gentle placing/squeeze. I have a video on my You Tube channel showing how to beat lightly. I'll find the link and post here later. Also how to full the scarf once it is done.
cheers,
Laura
ps - my scarves got the cover of Handwoven for that issue :)
Hi Allen
I wouldn't ever use this as warp, only as weft.
good luck
Candace
Okay - I can't find the video showing how to beat loosely, but here is the video clip showing how I fulled the mohair boucle warp and weft
http://www.youtube.com/user/LauraAnnFry1...
For details on what yarn I used and how I did it Handwoven Nov/Dec 2005.
cheers,
Laura
Mohair boucle make a gorgeous warp material - use it often. If you're not sure it will hold up, mix it with some ends of something smoother.
I have posted this a couple of times before, but with mohair, I feel it is always relevant. I used Cowboy Magic to detangle mohair warps. It works wonders on a shed that won't open. It is a silicone based mane cream used on horses. I buy it at Tractor Supply Store (TSC). I put it on my hands, like handcream, and then run my fingers thru the warp threads in front and behind the reed. works like a charm.
I was weaving a queen blanket (on commission with the customers yarns) and about a foot in, the shed ceased to open. Thought I would have to cut it off the loom and pay the customer for the yarn I trashed. Put cowboy magic on it and viola' no more sticky sheds.
Good Luck!
The benefit of using the boucle instead of the brushed mohair is that you don't get the tangles that prevent the shed opening. Much nicer to weave with the boucle in the warp. :)
cheers,
Laura
Sometimes with students who weren't familiar with boucle, I would suggest alternating a coordinating smooth yarn every other end to keep the ends from sticking. A simple solution, slightly different look, i would think you want to look for a similar fiber content so one yarn doesn't shrink more than the other. Then I would just use the boucle for weft, placing as Laura describes.
My first introduction to mohair boucle was in Laura Fry's class, Magic in the Water, that I took several years ago. I had the mohair boucle to thread on my loom (for a round robin). I took a look at my notes, and it was set at 10 ends per inch. The ideal picks per inch should be the same. The warp was only about 10 inches wide, but nobody had any problems with the shed opening. My young granddaughter finished off the warp and made a scarf for a family member. It brushed beautifully after fulling. It does take quite a bit of washing in very warm water till the suds stay, and vigorous agitation. A hooked dog brush works well to raise the nap.
Hi Jenny,
That boucle was a finer yarn than what I used in the Handwoven scarves. How many epi/ppi will depend on what yarn Allen has. Boucle can come in some very fine weights up to some very thick ones. WEBS Stirling mohair is quite thick and works up well at 4 epi/ppi. Halcyon has a somewhat finer mohair boucle that I use at 6 epi/ppi.
cheers,
Laura
I have woven with both brushed and loop (boucle) mohair using both for warp and weft. The yarns are approximately 900 yds/lb and sett at 6 epi in a 6-dent reed. A 2/2 twill at 6 ppi makes a scarf with a nice drape. The fabric will look very open and gauzy. Wash the scarf in room temperature water with mild soap and hang to dry. When dry, hold a steam iron above the fabric and brush with a natural bristle hair brush--soft and fluffy!
Janet
Well, thanks to all for your advice. I will try the Cowboy Magic (I'm laughing because my etsy shop is weavingcowboy) on the warp if needed. I have it sett at 6 epi so I'll see how that does. Just have to tie it on today and start weaving tonight after the kids are in bed.
Thanks again. I'll keep you updated!
All that fretting for nothing. Got home last night, and finished tying the warp on. Wove it off in 1 hour, no problems. No sticking. Nothing. One of the easiest things I have ever woven. Will post pics once it is done being wet-finished. Thanks again for all your help!
The auction people are excited about this shawl, and think it could bring in some good money for the school!
