I waded into deflected double weave for the first time. It took me one full scarf to figure out what I was doing. By the second scarf, I had a much better sense of how the pattern fits together and what to do with the shuttles (most of the time). Both scarves are quite imperfect (no one will ever know…). The loom behaved perfectly, though. This is my Julia’s first project using all eight shafts. Now, I know that this sweet loom is up to any challenge I give her.
20/2 Mora wool by Borgs. Yarn is temporarily secured by pulling a loop behind the warp at the nearest upright on the warping reel.Preparing to dress the loom. The lease cross end of the warp chain is placed through the beater.Warp is beamed and tied on, and the treadles and lamms are tied up.First scarf gives me a chance to learn. Beat consistency is getting better with practice.Trickiest part about deflected double weave is understanding how the shuttles interact so that the color from one shuttle (the salmon color) never goes to the selvedge.Gaining confidence and consistency on the second scarf. Stiff Mora wool will soon soften in the wash. After cutting off, I discover that a tiny misunderstanding gave me a consistent wrong thread all along one selvedge on the back side. Maybe we should call this defective double weave. (But, really, no one will ever know.)Bundles of light and dark threads are twisted into swinging fringes before the scarves are washed.
By the way, I like the finished airy scarves, even with their flaws.
Finished scarf has delightful pattern and character. Mora wool is sufficiently softened through washing and drying, to make a supple fabric.Perfect (imperfect) scarf to brighten up a foggy day in Texas hill country.
May you wade into a new experience.
Happy Weaving, Karen
21 thoughts on “Process Review: Perfectly Imperfect”
I really appreciated your idea of hand weights for winding on the warp. Now what are you using to steady the end of your scarf so you can twist the fringe?
Hi Lynn, You’re right, I use the hand weights to steady the end of the scarf for twisting fringe. Any time I need a weight for something, I pull out my 2-lb walking weights. Very handy for a lot of applications.
This looks beautiful! And thank you for the pictures of the Julia in action. I’ve been squinting at photos trying to imagine how “deep” the shafts are and how difficult that may make threading (have only used table looms til now). It looks like they are about 6 inches deep from the first shaft to the last? I’m wondering if you find that comfortable.
Thanks for the pictures – the colors look beautiful against the cloudy day!
Hi Rowena, The Julia is an interesting small loom. It has all the capability of a larger countermarch loom, with a very small footprint. The shafts are not very deep – about 8 inches from the first shaft to the last, and the shafts sit only 2 inches behind the beater. I have found though, that my back is happier if I bring the shafts even closer to the front for threading. This is easy to do by removing the beater, and then hanging the front of the cords from the shaft hangers over the front of the beater cradle. I have a friend with a Julia who finds a comfortable position by pushing the shafts to the back and threading the heddles from the back. Either way, it is certainly possible to thread this loom while being kind to your back.
Thanks for your sweet compliments. Even a cloudy day has beauty in it. The scarf helps to bring that out.
Finally today I will post a response. I have enjoyed and looked forward to your projects for years! I absolutely love everything you share. Thank you for all your teachings! I haven’t woven anything for a long time and today’s post makes me want to start again and I will. What a challenge! What a beauty!! Thank you so very much!! Maria
Hi Maria, Your response makes my heart sing! It gives me great joy to know that you have been walking along with me all this time. Oh I dearly hope you will start taking threads again and weaving them into something beautiful, and reigniting the pleasure of making cloth. You have some exciting challenges ahead of you!
I ham in middle of deflected double weave also with Mora wool, mine is also quite defective on the edges, as I’m using a pattern for cushion covers from Handwoven , but want it to be a end of bed sham, so I should have adjusted the edge warps so I could get a good edge on both sides, I’m glad it also took you some time to “ understand” the weave, me too!!!! But it looks fantastic! Love your scarf! Thanks for sharing !
Hi Lindy, That Mora is so nice to work with, isn’t it? I need to do some more research before I do this structure again, but I do plan to do it again. There’s such possibility of fantastic patterns with deflected double weave. I’m glad we’re in this together!
Hi Karen, That’s a beautiful scarf! And now I know the pattern of a thin silk scarf I bought many years ago, this is it!
I always wondered how it was made, mine is not handwoven, though.
Gorgeous! Question: I’ve seen before the little… sand bag weights(?)… you used to hold down the scarf while you did the fringe, but I don’t know what they are called or how to find any.
I love this so much and have also been thinking about doing this for the first time. It seems to be all the rage in my guild and I guess I want to see what all the fuss is about. Your scarf is gorgeous and I absolutely adore “defective” double weave! That mantra will keep me from stressing out over it. ; )
Thank you for the reassuring nudge in the direction I already seemed to be going. I think I may have some Mora…
Hi Ellen, It’s a very interesting structure. Once I started to understand it I enjoyed it. I’m so glad you like my finished scarf. I showed the flaws to a non-weaving friend and she couldn’t see them, so I think I’m safe with my defective double weave. There’s always room for improvement, but we might as well have fun on the way!
Gorgeous!
Hi Pam, Thank you so much! I’m pleased that they ended up being pretty.
Thanks!
Karen
I really appreciated your idea of hand weights for winding on the warp. Now what are you using to steady the end of your scarf so you can twist the fringe?
Hi Lynn, You’re right, I use the hand weights to steady the end of the scarf for twisting fringe. Any time I need a weight for something, I pull out my 2-lb walking weights. Very handy for a lot of applications.
All the best,
Karen
Lindo esse lenço é possivel tecer em 4 eixos, vc tem como enviar o padrão?
Hello Reinaldo, This pattern needs 8 shafts. This is not my own design, so I’m not at liberty to share the pattern.
Thank you,
Karen
This looks beautiful! And thank you for the pictures of the Julia in action. I’ve been squinting at photos trying to imagine how “deep” the shafts are and how difficult that may make threading (have only used table looms til now). It looks like they are about 6 inches deep from the first shaft to the last? I’m wondering if you find that comfortable.
Thanks for the pictures – the colors look beautiful against the cloudy day!
Hi Rowena, The Julia is an interesting small loom. It has all the capability of a larger countermarch loom, with a very small footprint. The shafts are not very deep – about 8 inches from the first shaft to the last, and the shafts sit only 2 inches behind the beater. I have found though, that my back is happier if I bring the shafts even closer to the front for threading. This is easy to do by removing the beater, and then hanging the front of the cords from the shaft hangers over the front of the beater cradle. I have a friend with a Julia who finds a comfortable position by pushing the shafts to the back and threading the heddles from the back. Either way, it is certainly possible to thread this loom while being kind to your back.
Thanks for your sweet compliments. Even a cloudy day has beauty in it. The scarf helps to bring that out.
Happy weaving,
Karen
Love the pattern.
What flaws?
So pretty.
Nannette
Hi Nannette, I’m so glad you like the pattern, and that you can’t see the flaws. 🙂
Thank you,
Karen
Finally today I will post a response. I have enjoyed and looked forward to your projects for years! I absolutely love everything you share. Thank you for all your teachings! I haven’t woven anything for a long time and today’s post makes me want to start again and I will. What a challenge! What a beauty!! Thank you so very much!! Maria
Hi Maria, Your response makes my heart sing! It gives me great joy to know that you have been walking along with me all this time. Oh I dearly hope you will start taking threads again and weaving them into something beautiful, and reigniting the pleasure of making cloth. You have some exciting challenges ahead of you!
Thank you and blessings to you,
Karen
❤️
I ham in middle of deflected double weave also with Mora wool, mine is also quite defective on the edges, as I’m using a pattern for cushion covers from Handwoven , but want it to be a end of bed sham, so I should have adjusted the edge warps so I could get a good edge on both sides, I’m glad it also took you some time to “ understand” the weave, me too!!!! But it looks fantastic! Love your scarf! Thanks for sharing !
Hi Lindy, That Mora is so nice to work with, isn’t it? I need to do some more research before I do this structure again, but I do plan to do it again. There’s such possibility of fantastic patterns with deflected double weave. I’m glad we’re in this together!
Thank you!
Karen
Hi Karen, That’s a beautiful scarf! And now I know the pattern of a thin silk scarf I bought many years ago, this is it!
I always wondered how it was made, mine is not handwoven, though.
Hi Elisabeth, This pattern would be stunning in silk! The finished Mora wool is so light and lacy. It’s perfect for our Texas light winter days.
Thank you,
Karen
Gorgeous! Question: I’ve seen before the little… sand bag weights(?)… you used to hold down the scarf while you did the fringe, but I don’t know what they are called or how to find any.
Hi Fazia, Thank you! What you are seeing are 2-pound walking weights. Besides using them to hold fabric while I twist the fringe, I also use them to weight warp bouts for beaming. I have several. They come in handy for a variety of uses around the loom. Here’s a set similar to ones I have – https://www.amazon.com/Gaiam-Weights-Dumbbell-Walking-Weight/dp/B01ICBQLPG/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3BPQEKE3EPK86&dchild=1&keywords=2-pound+hand+weights&qid=1612055742&sprefix=2-pound%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-7
Happy weaving,
Karen
I love this so much and have also been thinking about doing this for the first time. It seems to be all the rage in my guild and I guess I want to see what all the fuss is about. Your scarf is gorgeous and I absolutely adore “defective” double weave! That mantra will keep me from stressing out over it. ; )
Thank you for the reassuring nudge in the direction I already seemed to be going. I think I may have some Mora…
Hi Ellen, It’s a very interesting structure. Once I started to understand it I enjoyed it. I’m so glad you like my finished scarf. I showed the flaws to a non-weaving friend and she couldn’t see them, so I think I’m safe with my defective double weave. There’s always room for improvement, but we might as well have fun on the way!
Happy weaving,
Karen