Just in case I don’t quite have enough hobbies yet, I’ve begun to learn to weave on a rigid heddle loom. That’s the thing about the fiber arts – there’s so many interesting directions to go in that it’s difficult to settle on one and make it stick. So weaving is my most recent challenge. I fit it in between knitting, spinning, crocheting, embroidery, sewing and pattern design.
For learning purposes, I’ve been using worsted weight cotton from Peaches & Creme and Sugar ‘n Cream to put together some dishcloths. Easy – and instructive. I’m absolutely loving the results I get by mixing compatible colorways on the loom!
This first photo shows the Mod Ombre and Poppy colorways woven together.
The second was done with Batik and Moondance.
Using small amounts of leftover cotton is easy. Since I wove with two different colorways at a time, I made sure to always bring the new color under the last at the edge to give nice neat selvages.
During this learning process I’ve scoured the web to find learning materials related to the basics of rigid heddle weaving.
Depending on the type of learner you are – there’s some excellent resources out there.
Auditory Learners tend to learn best when listening to new instructional information. There’s several excellent weaving podcasts that offer varied weaving info to add to your weaving know-how:
Rigid Heddle Weaving Knit Picks Audio Podcast
Visual Learners tend to process information that they see best. Readers tend to be visual learners. Books and websites are both good sources of information for visual learners:
Weavolution is a social networking site for weavers
Weaving Made Easy is a book that shows the basics of weaving on the rigid heddle along with some simple beginner projects
Kinesthetic and Tactile Learners learn best by touching and going through the motions of new processes they want to learn. Instructional videos allow this type of learning:
Simple Warping Youtube video from Ashford
Kelly’s Rigid Heddle Weaving Class – Part 1 of 9
Although individuals tend to have one dominant type of learning that works best for them – we normally do best by combining several ways of learning – so dig in and give more than one way to learn a try!
I do recommend starting with something simple like dishcloths. With practice, we can move on to dishtowels in no time!
I love your colorful dishcloths! Thanks for including a good list of resources, as well.
You’re welcome Susan! The weaving tips from you are what got me off to a great start!
I’ve wanted to learn to weave for a while now. Thanks so much for the links!
You’re welcome, Sharon! Hope you have as much fun with it as I’m having!
May I ask how you are hemming them? Mine turned out very thick.
Hi Pam, For finishing, I hem stitched them while still on the loom with a needle and thread to keep them nice and neat. Then I cut them off the loom, wash them and iron them, ironing a single thickness hem on each of the two opposing sides. Then I did two rows of zigzag stitch on the sewing machine. I was happy with the hems. I suppose you could just allow for fringed edges on your cloths if you’d rather not have a hem.
Thank you so much! I will try that 🙂 And thank you for the info sites, very helpful.
Thanks so much for your post on weaving. My hubby for my birthday surprised me with a rigid heddle loom and now I am trying to assemble it and learn how to weave. Love your wash cloths and the colors. Will be starting with this project.
How exciting Georgette! Have so much fun playing with your new loom! 🙂 (There’s so many great color combos possible with the kitchen cottons!)
I got a RH for Xmas and I’ve watched two excellent RH video classes on Craftsy and several on Craftdaily as well.. Craftsy frequently runs sales on their classes. Craftdaily is by subscription for 19.99 a month for classes in a variety of mediums. I watched an excellent one this morning this morning on fiber and color.
Donna in Tx
Wonderful Donna! Thanks for adding to the weaving resources!
Hi
Funny thing I’m just finishing up a 20″ kidsilk scarf (laceweight) on my new Asford Knitter’s Loom (28″). The Kidsilk certainly makes weaving a bit of a challenge.
Thank you for the links they are truly a timely resource.
TinaR
Laceweight kidsilk does sound challenging! Wow! I think I’d better stick with my nice fat cotton until I get the hang of it, Tina! 🙂
Just wondering–what width of warp do you like for dishcloths? Are you using worsted-weight cotton for the warp also? Thanks for the great blog post–so helpful and inspiring!
Hi CathyAnn, Yes, I buy the big cone of Sugar and Cream in white to use as the warp. At least I did the last time. Before that, I managed to do it with two balls. My width….hmmmmm…I just warped til it seemed right. If it helps, my finished dishcloths are 9 3/4 inches wide. So my warp was probably about 10 inches, I would guess.
I love your shoutout to the many types of learners! Thanks for the mention of “Weaving Made Easy”, too. There is a new edition that just came out this year. You can read what’s new in edition here http://yarnworker.com/revised-and-updated-weaving-made-easy/ Happy Weaving!
Thanks Liz! What a great website you have! Another great resource for new weavers.
These are fabulous! You’ve got me excited to try these. I was wondering what size reed you used to make these with the kitchen cotton. I have a 10 dent reed but I’m thinking an 8 is probably more appropriate? Thanks!
Hi Toni, thanks for asking me about that – I should have mentioned that I used a size 8 reed!
Nice dish cloths. Love the colors. Also check out rigidheddleweaving.com Joyce Brisebois has a great website and facebook page. Her web page has lots of information on sett and yarn. Also some free patterns for log cabin and houndstooth. Happy weaving! Looking forward to more of your projects.
Sherry
Thank you Sherry! Loving the additional weaving resources!