Linen singles line up for a new warp to make lace weave scarves. I have only one tube of each color. This makes an interesting challenge, since I wind warps with two threads together. Adding to the challenge, I am requiring myself to use all six colors. How will the colors behave with each other? What order should I put them in? Color wrapping is a fun way to find answers.
First I will select one color-wrapped card as “winner.” And then, I will decide whether to repeat the narrow stripes on that card across the warp, or spread the chosen stripe sequence over the width of the warp by expanding each of the narrow two-color stripes.
Color wrapping supplies:
Index card, folded in half lengthwise
Double-stick tape
- Place a length of double-stick tape on one side of the folded index card.
- Starting on the back of the card (the side with tape), stick the end of a thread (or two threads, as in these examples) to the tape.
- Wrap the threads around the card, aligning the threads right next to each other, sticking the thread to the tape on the back each time around.
- Experiment with different arrangements of colors, and vary the width of stripes as desired.
Which of the six color wrapping examples would you choose for an eye-catching lace weave scarf? And would you repeat the sequence across the width of the warp, or would you spread the sequence out over the width of the warp? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments.
May you discover more options than you know what to do with.
Happy Coloring,
Karen
Thanks for your explanation of color wrapping. I feel like I’m getting a mini weaving lesson every time I read your posts. It’s great! After looking at the color and black and white pictures I would vote for number 6. I think looking at the b & w is the most revealing. Number six has good light, dark and mid ranges. Number 2 looks like only 2 colors in the b&w. You have such good color sense I feel a little silly offering my opinion. I’d love to hear you thought process about which one you choose.
There is no such thing as a silly opinion. Thanks for giving yours!
Karen
i agree certiantly 1 and 5 i would drop ads there is hardly any contrast in b&W therefore it wont pop, only good if you want blended colours 4 would be my second choice
I noticed that you are using one size of stripe. The most successful stripe patterns use different size stripes. You can play on graph paper with colored pencils in order to design you own stripe sequence. It is lots of fun. I have a small collections of stripe sequences that I have designed over the years.
Start with 2 colors; develop a series of designs.
Take you favorite and add a third color.
Again add a 4th and 5th colors.
Make value judgments of your available yarn. Arrange them from dark to light.
Decide if you want a dominate color. Remember that weft and structural interlace will change the color unless the cloth is warp faced.
Have fun.
Hi Marie,
These are terrific observations! Your thoughtful approach to stripes and color is very helpful. Thank you so much! Have fun I will.
Karen
Great post on the subject. I like # 6 and then #5. Depends on your preference what you like too. I also agree that altering the stripes by perhaps the Fibonacci method might be interesting too. I have no time for weaving right now, being in art mode for a show and seeing your post always makes me want to head back to the loom. Hopefully soon.
Kate
Before reading any other comments, I had decided #6 is my favorite, too. Thanks for sharing your gift with us.
do we get to vote? either 5 or 6 for me. am curious to see which you pick.
Every vote counts, though these votes are not strictly tallied. I am weighing every opinion and mixing them with my own thoughts. The outcome is still undecided… Stay tuned.
Dear Miss Weave-a-lot,
I like 1 and 5 the most. I like how the colors flow from light to dark in a smooth but irregular pattern. I recommend that you make the pattern continuous across the scarves. To a casual observer the flow and intriguing pattern seem impossible in a weaving.
Also, if you haven’t noticed, it is dinner time. Please leave the weaving room and come to dinner.
Your loving husband – Steve
I like the way you think!
Miss Weave-a-lot
I appreciate all the wonderful input! All opinions are welcome. I haven’t made my final decision on the colors, so I would love to hear even more thoughts and perspectives… This is really helping me think things through.
what are you using for the lace threading…Huck? you may want the stripes to be wide enough to hold a block of huck with a plain weave in between and alternate lace blocks with plain weave blocks. maybe with one of the colors as a window pane warp and weft ?
I often, when winding stripes, will make the warp doubled in length and put another cross at the bottom. this way I know the striping will repeat or mirror. can’t wait to see it. I like #4, because it’s lighter and I think of lace weaves as open, light, gossimer ,and etheral. PLJ, linda
Linda, This lace threading is a little different. It’s a spaced and crammed warp. I like the window pane idea; I’ll keep that in mind.
Thanks for the great input!
Karen
Dear Karen –
My eye went immediately to #6. I can’t explain why, (as it’s just 5:30 am, and the coffee hasn’t kicked in yet!). I love Steve’s comments – you are a lucky woman. I also liked Marie’s stripe design suggestions. I’m looking forward to seeing how this project progresses.
Laurie
Laurie, You are right, I am a very lucky woman!
Thanks for leaving your vote.
Karen