Huck Lace Workshop with Rosalie Neilson

Reno Fiber Guild has not been meeting in person because of the Covid virus for a year now, but we haven't been away from our looms during that time.  A week ago we started a virtual class about Huck Lace with Rosalie Neilson via Zoom.  Because we can all use our home looms, this has been an adventure in which we chose our own yarns for the projects and designed them ourselves with the help of Rosalie.  What follows are projects woven on 4, 8, 24 and 32 shafts.  Each different with the special touches that come from the individual weavers.

 From Anni's loom

After weaving two towels with sections in ten different colors and a different pattern in each row, I decided to try weaving the patterns with the same color as the stripe in the warp.  I also took an idea from Suzanne and did the separating stripes in the two other colors.  I rather like this one.  I think it's my favorite.

I also did a set woven completely with a natural off-white color and designs that were only comprised of weft floats.  It kind of looks like there is a warp float were the floats hold the threads in, but there isn't.  The reverse shows all warp floats.  -  Anni B.

Shelley's Projects

Shelley used a slightly different red for weft to create contrast in the red block on this towel.

These are the designs for Shelley's towels, using the overlays from Rosalie's book.

 "I learned so much.  I now have a much better understanding of blocks, and how to design - so cool!  I may be tying on to this warp and trying two 4 shaft designs on the same row!.  Big jump for me!  Thanks Rosalie and Suzanne for organizing!"     Shelly N.  

Cathie C.'s Napkins  woven on 32 shafts

 There can be a bit of a disconnect between the drawdown image and the way the actual fabric looks. I think I have a better handle on that now with huck after designing so many blocks.    Cathie

 Beryl's Table Runner woven on 36 shafts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I quite enjoyed this class and learned a lot about designing huck.  Rosalie was there for all of us, making sure that we understood her directions and giving assistance when needed.    I designed a whole lot of blocks and was fortunate that I could use my multishaft loom to weave my projects.  Love Zoom workshops! - Beryl M.

Susan M's Towels 

 4 towels of cottolin.  When I was warping back to front, I found 100 threads short by one yard. I tied on these 100 threads so I would not waste so much warp. It worked!! Enough for 4 huck towels and not much shrinkage with cottolin.  Now will add on a  towel kit I found of natural dyed cotton  and use Huck instead
Susan M.

Nancy B. Towels

I really enjoyed Rosalie’s workshop.  Besides feeling like I was finally beginning to grasp the concept of weaving with blocks, I also gained some great general weaving tips.  I will look forward to the next workshop!! Nancy B.

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 Darla's huck project

 This Zoom workshop was great for me. The second day of the workshop a multitude of conflicts appeared suddenly on my schedule, but I knew I would have access to the recorded videos so I was able to alleviate a lot of stress.

My warp was inspired by images of 18th century Indian calico or chintz. I used my bright red and greens, but softened it with a pale buttery yellow and sky blue.

All in all, I’m enjoying this weaving project--despite the puppy literally running away with my warp while winding on, pull-in (solved with a temple), and unattractive scalloped edges (also solved with a temple)  Darla G.

Results of the 3 Shaft Study Group Part III

 

When you explore plain weave, you find out just how many ways there are to create exciting cloth.  Three shafts is even more varied and exciting and texture is a big part of the picture.  The first few examples here are texture weaves, woven with either the same warp and weft or a very similar color warp and weft.

This sample was woven by Anni B. from page 32 in Erica's book.  Anni had to modify the draft a bit to fix a long float.  She sett her warp at 30 epi.  The yarn is something from Anni's stash called Orlec and she wove a dresser scarf for her mother and these samples.

 

Beryl M. woven samples from a multi-ply cotton yarn she had dyed in the ball - giving it a variegated appearance.  The warp was sett at 10 epi making this a weft faced fabric.  The draft is extremely simple and fabric sett for a balanced weave would look much different.  The weft in this sample almost entirely covers the warp.



 

The three texture samples above were also woven by Beryl M.  Some of the cloth would make good curtains as you can see through it easily (like lace).  The pieces were all woven with a cotton warp  which is about 8/2 in size.  The weft is 5/2 mercerized cotton which is a bit whiter than the warp.  The drafts came from pages 39-41 in Erica's book and the structures are related to Swedish Lace and Huck Lace.  The last sample was held so that the light could come through it and show the texture.

 

 

The Great Handwoven Towel Challenge Part 2

This is the second part of our towel challenge photo gallery. 

The following towels were woven by Rae S. as Christmas gifts for her family who live in Ecuador. The colors were chosen to go with the family's kitchen. These are a two block twill on 8 shafts.  8/2 cotton sett at 20 epi.  

And what do you do with the ends of towel warps?  Rae has a great idea for you.  Make potholders. 

Lorene S. wove a series of huck lace towels and used a different colored weft and treadling sequence for each one.  One of the nice elements in these towels is that the huck lace is used as borders and the main body of the towel is plain weave.  Very elegant.

 

 

 

  Beryl M. wove a series of 16 towels on one warp with neutrals in mind.  This one is on 40 shafts using a shaded twill tie up which was  manipulated  to distort the pointed twill threading and treadling.  Warp is 10/2 cotton.

40 shaft tie up