Yarnworker Weave-Along for Rigid Heddle
Weave Along with Liz Gipson, Yarnworker
Ready for Liz Gipson’s newest weave-along? Us too! This summer Liz is guiding you through the Four Looks Kitchen Towels from her awesome book, Handwoven Home.
The weave-along just launched yesterday so you can still be a part of it! To learn more and to enroll visit: Four Looks Kitchen Towels Weave-Along
Whether you’re already signed on or just hearing about it now, we can get you the materials you need. The Four Looks Kitchen Towels are perfect woven in Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn, and we stock over 65 colors. You’ll also need a copy of her book, Handwoven Home. We have a couple in stock now and more copies coming this week so we can mail it out to you soon if you order now!
You’ll weave these on a rigid heddle loom with a 23″ weaving width, and you’ll need a 10 dent reed, as well as a shuttle and yarn. (Need to stock up? See the recommended items below.)
The Yarnworker School
Now here’s the really important part: this free weave-along is entirely supported through Patreon contributions to The Yarnworker School. We don’t often ask you to please spend your money somewhere else, but… that’s just what we’re doing! Liz is doing a wonderful job creating an online hub for teaching, learning, and sharing all things rigid heddle. If this is a resource you’d enjoy, please consider making a small contribution. In return, you’ll receive regular updates and access to all the weaving goodness she is creating. Learn more and sign up here: patreon.com/LizGipson
We hope you’ll join Liz and the Yarnworker community for this fun summer weave-along, and stay tuned for more great projects ahead!
Recommended items for the Four Looks Kitchen Towels
Rigid Heddle Looms
Kromski 60cm / 24" Harp Forte Rigid Heddle Loom, clear finish Ashford 24" Rigid Heddle Loom Schacht 25 Flip Folding Rigid Heddle Loom Leclerc Bergere 24" Rigid Heddle Loom
Kromski 60cm / 24" Harp Forte Rigid Heddle Loom, clear finish |
Ashford 24" Rigid Heddle Loom |
Schacht 25 Flip Folding Rigid Heddle Loom |
Leclerc Bergere 24" Rigid Heddle Loom |
Stick Shuttles (5) or a Boat Shuttle and 5 Bobbins
Tip: When using stick shuttles, we prefer to use them close to the same width (or a little on the longer side) of your weaving width so that when you pass them back and forth through your shed you’re not having to reach into the shed. Since you don’t “throw” them, the way you would a boat shuttle, this helps prevent snagging warp threads or messing with your tension as you try to push them through or grab them.
Boat shuttles don’t need to be as long, since they are designed to glide through the shed with less friction – just don’t over-stuff your bobbins. Boat shuttles, although they can cost more individually, are very versatile since you can swap out as many different bobbins as you like while using the same shuttle. Almost any boat shuttle will work in this project. However for smaller looms (like a rigid heddle), where you have a smaller shed, we especially like the
Leclerc 11" Closed Bottom Boat Shuttle Schacht 11" Slim Closed-Bottom Boat Shuttle, Maple Leclerc 11" Slim Open Bottom Boat Shuttle Schacht 11" Slim Open-Bottom Boat Shuttle, Maple
Leclerc 11" Closed Bottom Boat Shuttle |
Schacht 11" Slim Closed-Bottom Boat Shuttle, Maple |
Leclerc 11" Slim Open Bottom Boat Shuttle |
Schacht 11" Slim Open-Bottom Boat Shuttle, Maple |
The closed bottom shuttles glide more easily, especially if you’re using a stickier yarn, but you have a little less room on the bobbin. When you’re using a fine yarn like the 8/2 cotton, you can wind a good deal of yardage onto your bobbin and still have plenty of clearance so it won’t snag your warp threads in an open bottom shuttle.
We recommend experimenting to see what feels best for you!
Mini cones are 600 yds, $6.25/each when you buy 8 or more. Pound cones are approximately 3,200 yards, $17.95/pound, sold by actual weight.
You’ll need 4 colors, with the following yardages:
- A: 1,082
- B: 1,488
- C: 198
- D: 986
Here are two combos we think will look great!
Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn |
Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn |
Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn |
Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn |
Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn |
Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn |
Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn |
Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn |
Related items of interest: • Weaving Books • Our yarns • Lace weight yarns • Cotton yarns • Weaving Equipment