New Weaving Magazines – Handwoven & VÄV
Weaving inspiration for summer, when color and creativity abound…
Palu’e Ikat weaver, photo by Magnus Danerek.
VÄV
This incredible Scandinavian weaving magazine is always packed with textile treasures on every page, and the summer 2017 [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] color themed issue is a delight! You’ll lose yourself in the beautifully written and photographed articles, and you’ll want to try your hand at some great projects. Here are just a few of the highlights:
Palu’e Ikat: A Gift From Heaven, by Stefan Danerek & Magnus Danerek, takes readers to small island of Palu’e and explores the distinctive motifs of the local ikat weaving and dyeing (photo above).
Gutasagan I, by Eva Ek-Schaeffer.
Threads of Life: Poetry Woven Into Tapestry, by Tina Ignell and photos by Bengt Arne Ignell reveals the whimsical and profound tapestry work of Swedish artist Eva Ek-Schaeffer. Her large narrative works bring stories of both personal and cultural mythology to life. Her commitment to dyeing all the colors herself speaks to the intimacy you feel when taking in each piece. An exhibition of her work is planned for this year and in 2016 Ek-Shaeffer won the Gällivare Commune Cultural Prize.
More in this issue:
Dyeplants In the Bergius Botanical Gardens, by Tina Ignell, photos by Bengt Arne Ignell.
Sarape Refashioning, a new interpretation of traditional Mexican weaving. By Maja Svensdotter, photo by Mestiz.
Chamantos, a Chilean Weaving Tradition, by Tina Ignell, photos by Bengt Arne Ignell.
Looking for gorgeous projects…? Dive into these summer wonders:
Spotted Indigo Cushions, by Monica Hallen.
Colour-and-Weave Checked Handtowel, by Monica Hallen.
An extended plain weave handtowel in Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn, in light and dark blue, and pale pink. Perfect for a summery gift, derived from a Scottish glen check.
Spaced Weave Check Scarf, by Tina Ignell and Sanna Ignell.
A plain weave on 4 shafts, this simple and lightweight wool scarf takes a summery and unusual turn by spacing blocks of warp and weft to create a mesmerizing openwork scarf.
Wool and Linen Wrap Cardigan, design and knitting by Karin Öberg, weaving by Maiko Tanaka.
With plain weave panels for the body, and simple knitted sleeves, this geometric cardigan is a new take on a traditionally shaped boxy woven jacket. In wool and linen, the shape is simple, modern and effortlessly wearable. The combination of knit and woven textures gives a nice play of texture and lends softness to the silhouette.
This is just a taste of what [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] has to offer – grab a copy, find the closest hammock and dive in!
Handwoven
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] is filled with new summer weaving projects you’ll want to warp up as soon as you can! You’ll enjoy the weaving, but this time the best part may be taking it off the loom and finishing it… This issue of Handwoven is all about distinctive finishing techniques. While many weavers dread this step, fear not – you’ll be introduced to some creative solutions, how to choose the right technique, and helpful tools for putting the perfect final touches on your handwoven projects.
Articles include Clean Up Your Shed, by Deb Essen, 5 Types of Hemstitching, by Deanna Deeds, and in Tom Kniseley’s Notes From The Fell, you’ll learn a beautiful Damascus edge, with it’s fancy knotted V and flat braided fringe, as shown on his Rag Rug With A Triple Finish (below).
Tom Kniseley’s Rag Rug uses 1″ wide, cut cloth strips and Cotton Carpet Warp 8/4 Yarn. It can easily be woven on a 4-shaft loom with 20″ weaving width and a 15 dent reed.
For more fantastically finished summer projects try these:
A Cluster of Cavandoli Knots, by Rosalie Neilson.
This rep weave runner features a unique Cavandoli knotted edge that lets the fringe stay loose while remaining structured and elegant. This would be a great finish on so many pieces! You’ll need 8-shafts and a 14″ width for this one, and a 12 dent reed. Warp is five beautiful jewel-toned colors of 3/2 Pearl Cotton Yarn, and for weft you’ll use Medium Cotton 16/8 Mop Yarn tripled, and more of the main color in 3/2 Pearl Cotton. Remember, with mini-cones of Pearl Cotton this is a very affordable project!
Gumdrop Scarf, by Deanna Deeds.
With only two shafts you can create the beautifully textured Gumdrop Scarf. A mix of Tencel and Pearl Cotton give this piece beautiful drape and the pearled texture on the long twisted fringe is a great compliment to the Danish medallions that really pop the colors in this piece. You’ll need six colors of 8/2 Tencel Yarn for the warp. For weft you’ll use more of these, plus natural white in 10/2 Pearl Cotton Yarn and 3/2 Pearl Cotton Yarn. A mini cone of each of these is plenty for the whole scarf!
Summer Lace Placemats and Mug Rugs, by Suzie Liles.
Just the thing for summer dining al fresco – a table set in cheerful linen huck lace. Woven on 4 shafts with a 14″ width and a 10 dent reed. For 4 finished placemats plus hemstitched mug rugs you’ll need 3 colors of Newport 16/2 Linen Yarn; approximately 1,300 yards of the main color, and 124 yards of two accent colors.
If you’re thirsty for even more finishing expertise…
Check out Virginia West’s thorough and easy to follow book [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , recently back in stock. As you explore finishing, we’ve got you covered for tools too! Check out these can’t-finish-without-them devices and achieve perfect twisted fringes and knots from now on.
Leclerc Double Fringe Twister Shadybrook Double Fringe Twister Leclerc Triple Fringe Twister Ashford Fringe Twister Leclerc Quad Fringe Twister Shadybrook Quadruple Fringe Twister 5" Netting Shuttle 6" Netting Shuttle 8" Netting Shuttle Chibi Jumbo Darning/Tapestry Curved Needles
Leclerc Double Fringe Twister |
Shadybrook Double Fringe Twister |
Leclerc Triple Fringe Twister |
Ashford Fringe Twister |
Leclerc Quad Fringe Twister |
Shadybrook Quadruple Fringe Twister |
5" Netting Shuttle |
6" Netting Shuttle |
8" Netting Shuttle |
Chibi Jumbo Darning/Tapestry Curved Needles |
We also want to welcome Handwoven’s new editor, Susan E. Horton! We’re looking forward to seeing more of her careful eye and passion for the craft, as she steers Handwoven into the future. The handweaving world may not be enormous, but there is no shortage of passion, skill or camaraderie – we are grateful for those who commit to the stewardship and growth of this vibrant community. Congratulations, and welcome, Susan!
Related items of interest: • Our yarns • Lace weight yarns • Cotton yarns • Super Fine weight yarns • Fine weight yarns • Medium weight yarns • Tencel yarns • Linen yarns • Weaving Equipment • Multi-Craft Equipment