This summer, I’ve been experimenting with doubleweave as a way to create garment shapes and play around with colorwork. It is a little side journey after the launch of the Colorwork class at the Yarnworker School. I love how one project always gives you an idea for the next. As I was working out different ways to create garments that didn’t require me to get out my scissors, it got me thinking about all the ways we weavers turn yardage into wearables. Here is a wee list of the many ways we weavers wear rectangles.
Scarf, Muffler A piece of yardage of varying lengths and widths worn about the neck, shoulders, or head. Example shown on ladder: Rad Plaid Scarf I wove out of two dip-dyed skeins from Shepherd’s Lamb. It is available as a free pattern.
Shawl, Wrap, Manta, Stole A long, wide piece of fabric, designed to be worn around the shoulders. Example shown on ladder: Linsey-Woolsey Shawl that was featured in my Twice as Nice video workshop with Interweave. Unfortunately, it was involved in the train wreck of ’16 and I haven’t had the heart to write it up.
Poncho A blanket-like garment with a slit in the center to slip over your head. Example shown on floor: This lace poncho was a garment that didn’t make the cut for Weaving Made Easy.Â
Ruana A poncho-like garment with a closed back and an open front. Example shown on model front and back: This is the ruana I wove this summer, worn by my little sister, Meg. It is a doubleweave garment that takes full advantage of the technique. The long loom waste at the end of the warp is turned into a long fringe. The bottom and top layer are laid out as two different stripe configurations. The front was woven as stripes and the back as plaid. I’m slowly working on a garment workshop that will teach this technique.
Cowl A circular piece of fabric worn around the neck and/or head. Examples shown on mannequin and on shelf: The triangle cowl was the featured project in Weaving 101: The Basics and the circular cowl is made using the techniques outlined in the Crepe Cowl Workbook.
Cacoon, Shrug A wide piece of cloth sewn partially together on either end to form a tube with an opening in the middle. The seamed ends form sleeves. Example shown on hanger (thanks to Purl & Loop for the custom hangers): This Shibori Shrug is another piece that didn’t make the cut for Weaving Made Easy. It was a prototype made from indigo-dyed mohair bouclĂ©. I tied marbles into the cloth using rubber bands before the final wash. The baubles formed by the marbles are still defined over a decade later.
The key to any handwoven garment is drape, the opposite in what I typically look for when weaving for the home with the exception of towels. I love the challenge of weaving the prefect cloth for the perfect thing. It never gets boring.
Heddles up!
Liz
P.S. If I have forgotten any ways leave a comment. I’d love to know what you are weaving to wear.
Liz – I LOVE the idea of a garment workshop! A Ruana is on my list of imminent things to weave with some of my handspun. I live in the high desert in Northern Nevada and the evenings can get chilly, this is the perfect garment to grab and go when sitting outside or walking the dogs. Also it’s so wonderful that we can weave yardage on our rigid heddle looms to expand our repertoire of projects.
I first got my loom as a way to use up my handspun because I just can’t knit that fast. Weaving has become addictive and I’m finding myself weaving more and spinning less. When I do spin I now think about only weaving projects that I can use my beautiful yarn for.
Thanks for all that you do, I’ve learned SO much about weaving from you and really appreciate everything!
Can hardly wait for the ruana. I need to work on the double weave before I attempt such a fine garment.
Great pieces! I saw a blog recently that featured a mobius wrap that was very cool. You might want to add that. 🙂
I was thinking a mobius was like a poncho with a twist.
I saw something I want to try— a straight scarf @15” wide. Then put the scarf together horizontally. Leave room for your neck and place buttons near neck opening toward fringe end. Don’t know if that is a clear explanation and I haven’t applied it yet
Should also mention when worn the buttons lay down your left shoulder
Liz, I am right there with Leslie, a garment workshop or class would be absolutely
wonderful. I have been enjoying the weave alongs and your classes for rigid heddle looms with all the techniques and skills you have been teaching and I am loving all the wonderful things for home life we have been weaving………I am also interested in the idea of weaving my own cloth for clothing….pretty logical given I have sewn and knitted garments for a long time……why not weaving the cloth and why not on an RH loom? You have made some beautiful garments! Pinterest and Instagram offer up some beautiful woven garments, Saori woven garments are completely intriguing, older weaving books dedicated to handwoven clothing……..it’s too hard to resist the desire to weave some cloth for garments, all these sources are so tantalizing! A simple garment works well for me……I am not interested in a couture design, but I am interested in some very easy design planning and cloth weaving to make very wearable woven everyday clothing. You have the long term weaving expertise and with Thinkific, a terrific platform to lead us down another weaving path……………Will you teach this Please?
I’m thinking that a Ruana should be on the docket for 2019. I need to work out the pattern, but it would be something fun and new for all of us. By-the-by, I shared the paper rulers you sent me in the Facebook Group and they were a big hit!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!!
It would be fantastic!
Thanks,
Laura
Love the shrug! I would love to know more about how to weave this.
It was essentially a wide piece of fabric that was long enough to reach below each of my elbows about two inches. I then seamed it so that the opening reached about 4” from my armpit. It can be made from virtually any fabric that meets the dimensions for your body. The wider it is the better it drapes around the neck which is always the sticking point in my mind.
Is there a pattern hidden away somewhere for the Shibori shrug? Looked, and couldn’t really find one…then realized I don;t really know what Shibori means as it relates to weaving…any hints? Thanks.
There isn’t a pattern for that one. It didn’t make it out of the qualifying rounds for Weaving Made Easy, so I never wrote it up. There is a woven scarf that uses a the same technique on the cover of Woven Scarves by Jane Patric and Stephanie Flynn Sokolov.