ScrapHappy February 2024 — A Mixed Warp Four Ways
Throughout the many years of my weaving life, I have always loved to create mixed warps from odds and ends of yarn. I love seeing the interactions of the different colors and textures as the yarns move throughout the piece.
My most recent project followed a design from Celeste Pryde, published in the March/April 2000 issue of Handwoven magazine. Her pattern called for a 4-shaft Bronson lace threading, which is traditionally done in just one color, letting the thread texture form the main design.
Pryde’s take was to use all sorts of threads, alternating two at a time in mini-warps of 24 threads —
You can see the columns of colors above. Then there was also an alternating pattern of how those columns were threaded on the loom (in weaving, we call those blocks). And THEN, two different wefts crossed those warps, and there were four different treadling orders, to determine which threads showed more prominently.
As the weaving progresses, small rectangles build up. Their threads are forming the same structure throughout the cloth, but because of the varying threads, the blocks take on different appearances. There are four variations — warp floats in Block A, weft floats in Block A, warp floats in Block B, weft floats in Block B.
This is the perfect opportunity to use up even more odds and ends of yarns! I used knitting ribbons, various weights of cotton, rayon chenille, rayon boucle, etc.
I wove the first piece about 5 feet long, following the pattern in the magazine pretty closely. Each side of the cloth shows the four block variations.
Even though I was initially drawn to this pattern because of all the variation, it had to be woven with two shuttles, with the wefts changed constantly, and that took a lot of time. So for the next two pieces, I stuck to one weft, and a simplified treadling.
For the second piece, I used the same space-dyed blue and rust rayon blend I had used in the warp. I chose the treadling for weft floats on top, which results in warp floats showing on the bottom.
For the third piece, I used rayon chenille, with big sections of royal blue, turquoise, and pale silvery blue, and I only treadled for floats in Block A. This gave an effect of long thin stripes. It looks the same on both sides.
For the last one, I just played around with different scraps of yarn and random treadling.
And here they all are:
I am not sure what I will do with them yet — they are all about 16 inches wide, and 5 to 6 feet long. I am calling them table runners because I can always use another table runner! Right now, straight off the loom, their threads are still pretty perpendicular. I am anxious to wash them and watch the threads relax and form more oval shapes.
I was very happy to use up these small amounts of yarn, and to finally follow a pattern I’ve been keeping for 24 years!
ScrapHappy Day, the 15th of each month, was originated by Kate and Gun, the first two names in the list below. We are always celebrating the use of scraps, even if we don’t post every single month. You can visit the others to see what scrap-happiness they have come up with this month!
Kate, Gun, Eva, Sue, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Tracy,
Jan, Moira, Sandra, Chris, Alys,
Claire, Jean, Dawn, Gwen,
Sunny, Kjerstin, Sue L, Vera,
Ann, Dawn 2, Carol, Preeti,
Nóilin, Viv, Karrin, Amo, Alissa,
Lynn, Tierney and Hannah
Your results could almost convince me to take up weaving again, but I am downsizing so a floor loom isn’t in the cards. Love that you’re using up those old threads and yarns.
I am planning for this to be my last warp, at least on my larger loom. As we have inherited lots of nice bookshelves and books, there is less room in our house, and I really prefer quilting and paper arts. I remember buying this loom from a lady that was downsizing and now it is time for me to pass it on to someone else. 🙂
From the earlier photos in the post, it’s not at all clear how small these patterns are. Once you see the final photo, you can truly appreciate the scale and complexity of what you’ve done. Amazing, and a beautiful use of scrap yarn.
Thanks, Kate! I didn’t think about referring to the scale, I am just so used to reading drafts thread by thread. That would have been a good addition and I will go back and update!
I love the textures you’ve created. Thank you for explaining it so clearly
Thanks, Dawn! It is always hard to know how much detail to go into since most people aren’t familiar with weaving — I know you face the same issue with your jewelry making and silver-smithing, and I always appreciate the detail you put in — it makes me really appreciate your process, and also think, “I would never go through all those steps!” 🙂
Ha ha!! I love the detail you give – I always assume that there’s a significant amount of effort left out of the description, based on how long everything shiny takes me. I’ve not done any weaving.
Love it!
I am very tempted to take up weaving for the opportunity to play with colour and texture in a different way but I am resisting womanfully! Those pieces are lovely.
Yes, in my early years of weaving, I had to learn a whole new way to deal with color, since the colors cross each other on such a small scale and can easily look muddy. And I imagine you know all about that, being a knitter/crocheter!
There are always new techniques to learn and playing with colour and texture adds an extra dimension. It is what keeps me interested.
I love using up bits and pieces, so I appreciate the pleasure of your projects. I’m in awe of the weaving process. These pieces are lovely.
Thank you, Alys!
That weaving is amazing! I am sure you’ll do something awesome with them!
I don’t weave, but this is still fun to look at!
This piece is amazing! I love when you get creative.
Thank you Claudia!