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by: Gretchen

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.

 

Handwoven Home  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!

 

Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn

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  Kromski 60cm / 24" Harp Forte Rigid Heddle Loom, clear finish
Ashford 24" Rigid Heddle Loom  Ashford 24" Rigid Heddle Loom
Schacht 25 Flip Folding Rigid Heddle Loom  Schacht 25 Flip Folding Rigid Heddle Loom
Leclerc Bergere 24" 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.

Schacht 24" Stick Shuttle Leclerc 21" Stick Shuttle

 

Schacht 24" Stick Shuttle  Schacht 24" Stick Shuttle
Leclerc 21" Stick Shuttle  Leclerc 21" Stick Shuttle

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  Leclerc 11" Closed Bottom Boat Shuttle
Schacht 11" Slim Closed-Bottom Boat Shuttle, Maple  Schacht 11" Slim Closed-Bottom Boat Shuttle, Maple
Leclerc 11" Slim Open Bottom Boat Shuttle  Leclerc 11" Slim Open Bottom Boat Shuttle
Schacht 11" Slim Open-Bottom Boat Shuttle, Maple  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.

Schacht 4" Plastic Bobbins and Spools Schacht 11" Slim Open-Bottom Boat Shuttle, Maple

 

Schacht 4" Plastic Bobbins and Spools  Schacht 4" Plastic Bobbins and Spools
Schacht 11" Slim Open-Bottom Boat Shuttle, Maple  Schacht 11" Slim Open-Bottom Boat Shuttle, Maple

We recommend experimenting to see what feels best for you!

Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn

 

Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn Homestead 8/2 Cotton Yarn

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

 

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 BooksOur yarnsLace weight yarnsCotton yarnsWeaving Equipment

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