Pattern from Handwoven May / June 2020
Tom Knisely
Huck Lace Napkins adapted to make towel
8/2 cotton warp/weft
578warp ends sett at 24 EPI. 2/ dent in a 12 dent reed
Hand stitched hems
MAFA2025-3964
MAFA2025-3955
There are roughly 18 picks per inch. I chose a slightly warp faced weave in order to show the warp colors a bit more than a balanced weave would.
The broken twill ground was threaded on harnesses 1-4, and the point twill stripes were on 5-8
19.5″ in the reed, 34″ long under tension
16.75″ x 27″ after hemming and machine washing in warm water, partially dried in dryer on high
I used two floating selvedges on each side, each in its own dent
MAFA2025-3930
Our study group topic was Quigley, so I decided to design an original pattern to weave placemats out of as a way to understand the structure better. The total number of ends is 372 plus floating selvedges and the width in reed was 15.5″. The placemats are hemmed with a rolled hem in such a manner that either side of the placemat may be used as the “right side”.
MAFA2025-3749
This towel is based on Erica de Ruiter’s Shadow Towels. I have added 12 warps ends on each side to improve the selvedges. Veronique Perrot and Lisa Hill have also been valuable for information for this project.
This can be woven on a 2 shaft or rigid heddle loom.
When weaving, use the outer two threads as a floating selvedge. The 12 ends are used double as 6 working ends in the heddles and reed. You will weave as many as three picks in the same shed and you will need to rely on the outer threads.
I used white 8/2 Brassard cottolin for one of the yarns. The 22/2 Bockens cottolin was from Vastuga in 8 different colors that I had in my stash.
MAFA2023-032
Delightful Weave. Fantastic fabric. Total number of ends: 498. Increased EPI at selvedges. Serged and Hemmed.
MAFA2023-026
My weaving Study Group had a plan for a towel exchange this year. I was inspired by bright colors and designed a very colorful warp to include a mixture of smooth cotton yarns and boucle. I planned some color mixing in the warp with sections of warp alternating between a smooth cotton and a cotton boucle thread. As I came to the end of my warp, I decided to experiment with some zanshi weaving using the thrums saved from my other weaving projects. I had to use care in what I chose as weft to ensure the colors did not clash with the very colorful warp. I wove a little and planned my further wefts by how the color of the woven wefts interacted with the warp. As the cloth developed, I tied more thrums to contrast the previous wefts, using care not to create a muddled mess. As the cloth grew I realized I had enough warp left to weave a whole towel! Wefts used varied from 6 strand embroidery floss (used sparingly), 10/2, 8/2, 8/4 cotton and cotton boucle.
Upon completion, I decided to enter this towel in the MAFA exchange with the hope that it will inspire others to use thrums to create cloth that not only is useful and fun, but is environmentally friendly as well. I hope you will enjoy this towel.
MAFA2023-006
455 ends – 1 end 6/2 and 2 ends 20/2 per dent in 8 dent reed.
Warp: white thick, white thin
Weft: blue thick, white thin
Used Bluegrass Mills 6/2 cotton from Woolery for thick warp and weft and UKI 20/2 for thin warp and weft.
Used floating selvedges.
Several other patterns on same threading from her book that I plan to try next.
Also want to try using a colored thin weft.
Pattern shows much better after washing and pressing.
MAFA2023-009
410 warp ends total. 408 for pattern, plus one extra at each selvedge. Draft adapted for cotton instead of linen/cotolin.
Woven using picks of sewing thread at each end to create fold lines for the hem. Sewing thread was removed prior to turning and sewing hem by machine.
Warp was standard 8/10 cotton, unmercerized.
Weft was 10/2 Peru Naturtex Partners 100% organic cotton.
MAFA2019-068
I like to choose a threading that can provide several patterns. Then I play…use one for the hem, another for the body, intersperse plain weave.
