I have a question regarding substituting a yarn in a pattern.  I am looking at the free Weaving Today projects for beginners page 6 Elegant Placemats.  The pattern calls for 3/2 pearl cotton but all I have is 10/2 pearl cotton.  I am assuming I would have to recalculate to increase my width and I think my epi would go from 12 to 24 is this correct?  Is there anything else I should be considering?  Or is this something I should not consider doing at all?  I am working on a 4 shaft Dorothy 6 treadle loom with a 12 dent reed.

Thank you in advance, Hollyann

Comments

Thu, 06/21/2012 - 16:15

Dena (not verified)

A 10/2 cotton will give you a lighterweight fabric with more drape than a 3/2 weight. Is that the effect you're looking for in a placemat. If yes, go for it, if no, then I would either make them into dishtowels or napkins or get some 3/2 cotton and make placemats. Personally, I like 3/2 for placemats, a lighter weight yarn feels a bit flimsy to me.

Thu, 06/21/2012 - 17:21

Hollyann

Thank you Dena, I just placed a order for 3/2.  Maybe I will save the 10/2 for when I get brave enough to try a overshot table runner or maybe make some towels.

Thu, 06/21/2012 - 17:40

LBKeeling (not verified)

You can also plying together 3 strands of 10/2 and create about the same weight as the 3/2.  I do this with a spindle.  You need to wind the plied yarn off the spindle and dampen it so that it will hold the twist--I do this on a swift, take it off, dampen it and replace it on the swift to dry.  This is a great was to use yarns that aren't quite the size you need and to create new colors by mixing 2 or 3 different 10/2 colors together into a new thread.  I also mix 8/2 unmercerized and 10/2 together this way but if it is an item that would be washed, you need to create a test swatch to be sure it shrinks the way you want since unmercerized and mercerized cottons shrink differently.
Thu, 06/21/2012 - 21:26

Michael White

Hollyann, let start with the basics, 3/2 cotton has 3 x 840/2=1260 yards per pound. a 10/2 cotton has 10 x 840/2=4200 yards per pound. So you can see that the 3/2 is 3.3 times heavier then the 10/2. A basic set for 10/2 is 20, 24, 28, 34 EPI, 3/2 is 10, 14, 16, 22 EPI for lace weaves, plain weaves and twills.

Michael

http://www.handweaver.us/georgia_yarn_company.htm

 

Fri, 09/07/2012 - 23:55

sally orgren

you don't need to ply them. And you can either thread two warps next to each other in separate heddles, or together in one heddle. That is one way to beef up 10/2.