Spring 2020 Weave-Along

Doodling is one of the ways I calm my mind. Did you know you can doodle on your weaving? Doogles are created by adding a supplemental weft as you weave. During the Spring 2020 Weave-Along, I’ll show you two ways to do this, inlay and onlay. There is a subtle, yet sublime, difference between them. Inlay is the process of laying in a supplemental, discontinuous weft next to a continuous one in the same shed. Onlay allows the supplemental yarn to slide on top of the continuous weft decreasing bunching and creating a different look on the front and back (see below). Not sure exactly what I’m talking about? Join us and I’ll show you!

To construct this runner, I drew on a method popularized by Theo Moorman. By altering thick and thin picks and using using the thin pick as a tie-down thread, you can create shapes that sit on top of the ground cloth instead of in it. (As far as I know, “onlay” isn’t really a recognized thing in the weaving world. It is how I describe the distinction between these two methods.)

In this weave-along, you will learn how onlay and inlay work, the benefits of creating a cartoon to map out your weaving in advance, and get the opportunity to flex your creative muscles by doodling on your fabric. I’ll even teach you a method of weaving the fabric first, then doodling later.

 

Here is the who, what, when, and where info to date:

Who

This weave-along is appropriate for just-beyond-beginner weaver. I assume that you have already woven a few projects and have a basic understanding of the direct warping process and weaving terminology. Project planning skills are a bonus.

What

The techniques I’ll share can be adapted to almost any textiles. The specific pattern I’ll be weaving is the Go Your Own Way Runner from Handwoven Home or as I like to think of it now, the “Weave Our Way Through” Runner. The book is available from your favorite bookseller in softcover or as a Kindle edition (affiliate link). The education portion of the weave-along is free. You will need the book to refer to the full pattern and other supplemental references in the book.

Sampling along is always an option. If you have one, consider diving into your stash and selecting yarns that you think might work and warp up a short sample. It doesn’t have to be cotton or linen. I suggest a 50-inch long warp about 8” wide. You will need about 115 yards of each yarn—a thick and a thin—and  about 70” of each yarn for weft. Depending on how much loom waste you use, you will get about a 24” long finished piece. 

Equipment

Yarn