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This yardage will be used to weave two tote bags of my own design. I wound a 3 yd warp using 414 ends of 16/2 linen and 2 selvedge threads on each side using 16/3 linen. The width on the loom was 23 inches. Yardage off loom and unwashed is 70 inches in length and 22 inches in width. I am anticipating about an addition inch or two decrease in width after washing.

I used a temple while weaving and made sure to mist the warp and linen bobbins to avoid fraying or breaking. I varied the colors of the wool pattern weft to simulate spring flowers.

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Finished towel is 18.5″, (22″ on loom) x 26″. The 2″ plain weave at the start and finish is used for the hem.
12 dent reed used, sleighed 2121.
Atwater Bronson is heavy on shaft 1 with 198 threads on shaft 1, 74 on shaft 2, 44 on shaft 3 and 80 on shaft 4. For a total 396 ends

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I used 2 patterns – one was Rosalie Neilson’s from her class and one of my own created in the class. There are 4 colors in both the warp and weft. I experimented with different colors in the weft. Floating selvedges were used. There was about 15% shrinkage.

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I have started into Jane Stafford’s School of Weaving and this towel is a variation of the Asymmetry sample from the second season. I substituted turquoise where Jane used red, and enlarged the graphic to get the size towel I wanted. I played with the warp colors to get my own design.

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I used 6 shafts to reduce the number of heddles on shafts 1 & 2; putting the plain weave portion on #5 & 6. This could be woven on 4 shafts as well. I used Valley Yarns variegated “Cotton Candy” for the plain weave portions of the warp.

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This is actually a variation of the above draft. I was inspired by similar variation I’d seen in a Facebook weaving group. I loved the way she had highlighted one repeat of the design instead of repeating it across the whole towel – she had also turned the whole thing however since this was my first step away from using a warp “recipe” I decided not to attempt that. The designing experience was… humbling. I learned a lot of what not to do – but luckily I got there in the end and I’m really pleased with the finished product.

The finished towels were machine washed in warm water and dried on high heat. Then pressed and hems hand sewn.

The attached draft only accounts for the center. Repeat the first 15 ends as needed to center the threading in your warp.

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We are big tea lovers in the family – so this towel in Handwoven S/O 2003 caught my eye. I have used this draft numerous times over the years – in various colours and weights of fibre – for towels and as material for tray mats, tea cozies, market bags, etc.

For this set of towels, I returned to colours similar to those in the original article:
warp – brun moyen, rouille & orange brule
weft – magenta, brun moyen (pattern), orange brule (tabby)

Warped at 18 epi, wove at 36 ppi.

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I was influenced by the piece Vavstuga had for Bockens Egyptian 8/2 cotton on their website (store.vavstuga.com/product/yarn-bock-cot-8-2-dyed.html). Their current piece is actually a little different, as the one that influenced me had some red accent yarns in warp and weft. I liked the combination of yellow and light green, with the red accent.