I am Weaving–Hooray!

Neal Howard Warp (click to enlarge)

I’m weaving a lovely warp I bought as a kit at Convergence in Albuquerque last summer. It was made by Neal Howard. She dyed three warps and told how to thread them in the heddles to integrate them. Each one is different, so it is great fun to weave along and see the color changes–in one or all of the stripes.

Neal Warp Showing Separate Selvedges

I’m not following her idea–so I’ll report later if my idea for the cloth works out. Dyeing is Neal’s speciality– I bought one of her jackets at the previous Convergence. She offers yarns and woven pieces.

2 thoughts on “I am Weaving–Hooray!”

  1. All your posts are interesting – a while ago you mentioned that you would discuss Ashenhurst. I have been having trouble understanding sett.

    What is the relationship of the Ashenhurst numbers to the 3 numbers Interweave suggests for lace, tabby and twill? It seems there is a much greater range than they state, but beyond that I sort of get confused and stop.

    Thanks.

    LOVE your books – CHANGED my weaving!

    Reply
    • Most sett (ends per inch) information is determined by the yarn and the structure. We know twill and plain weave require different setts. When a different weave structure is described, usually the appropriate sett for the structure is given–eg. use a plain weave sett, or a sett more open than plain weave. When a sett chart gives 3 setts, the usual plain weave and twill which we might think of as medium and close. The third sett may say for lace, but we could also think of it as open. So, for a given yarn you are given 3 options for each yarn–depending upon the weave structure. Ashenhurst offers a way to calculate the sett and gives more specific setts for various purposes. The words, calculation and purpose are the operative words here. A yarn for plain weave for upholstery would require a different (closer) sett than for a delicate shawl. With the three-choices charts, you might choose the open or lace sett for the shawl, but you wouldn’t know what to use for upholstery.

      Can you help me with my discussion of Ashenhurt? Do you understand what he calls diameters? Where should I start to clear up this important, important subject?
      Read about Ashenhurst in Book #1, Winding a Warp & using a Paddle, beginning on page 85. I think this is so important, I’ve included it in my new book, Weaving for Beginners, in the chapter on sett.
      I look forward to hearing from you.
      Peggy

      Reply

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