Project Planning

In a craft that tends to be very structured and rule-oriented, it can be wildly refreshing to play with patterns and see what other forms the weaver can create. In this blog post, Kate Koconis explores how she uses an Overshot weaving structure to create experimental, intuitive weavings. 

Name Drafting is a method of incorporating a name or phrase into a weaving pattern such that it creates a unique graphic. There are many ways to name-draft, all of which serve as a tool to assist the weaver in the design process and make the draft uniquely theirs. In this blog post, Penny Lacroix provides step-by-step instructions for how she has used Name Drafting in her designs.

Color selection can be an exciting, yet sometimes overwhelming part of planning a weaving project. While traditional color theory is very helpful in understanding color relationships,you can get started experimentally designing without having all these concepts in your back pocket. In this blog post, Christine Novotny shares a few tips for how she creates fresh and inspired palettes by exploring unusual color combinations with Palette Scout.

This article is the third and final installment in a series about lace weaves. Different lace weaving techniques can create wonderful effects, from open and airy sections providing the illusion of shapes and curves, to toothsome textures. In this blog, learn about the unique attributes of Huck and Spot Bronson lace weaves. 

If I could only weave only one thing going forward, it may be towels. These humble rectangles offer so many options! From fingertip to bath sheets and every size in between, you can make exactly what you need to get the job done. In this blog post, I'll cover standard towel dimensions and provide a range of sample Gist projects for you to explore. 

There's nothing like a beautifully set table, and as weavers we can put our personal stamp on the dining linens – from design to size. Generally, larger indicates more formal, but your handwovens should fit your table and your needs. Here are some Gist table linen projects, and suggested standard size ranges for designing your own.

A “blanket” can range from a very small “lovey” to a throw for a king-size bed, and everything in between. Googling “blanket sizes” yields a dizzying array of options, which means you can pick what works best for you! This blog post goes over some general size ranges for different projects to design your own, as well as a few Gist patterns that fit the bill. 

The finished dimension of any handwoven depends on so many things – your loom width, fiber, the weaving structure and, perhaps most importantly, the ultimate use and your personal preference! As weavers, we can, within reason, create exactly the size we need based on what it will be used for. If you are thinking about weaving some floor coverings, these standard commercial dimensions are a terrific place to start. 

So you found a pattern you love, but don't have the exact yarn it calls for. Can you substitute a stash yarn or something other than what the designer specified? The answer, like so many in weaving, is it depends. This post will walk you through the process using the Running Stitch Napkins pattern.

As tapestry weavers, unless we are weaving free-form, we need to plan carefully and make a lot of decisions up front. That’s where sampling comes in. Sampling can take many forms and involve testing out the structure (warp and weft combinations), choosing colors, or fine-tuning with specific techniques. In this post, Kennita Tully touches on various methods of sampling.

Learn how to calculate the amount of loom waste you will need to allow for a weaving project, and how to adjust that amount depending on the pattern and type of loom you are using.

Warping, sleying, weaving and re-sleying can be tedious when we really just want to dive in to our project. Meet the nifty rigid heddle loom tool that makes sampling a breeze.