Another in my series of the Tibetan bags as seen on Doni’s Delis. The pattern was not at all what I was aiming for. I thought I’d warp for houndstooth but double the 4-ply so that I’d have a firmer fabric and use up more stash. But my brain confused me and I ended up having 4 strands in each hole and slot, thus double the intended thickness. Naturally, I did not want to take the warp off, so I though I’d make the best of it.

And this is what is happening. It is kind of warp-faced, but not entirely. I’m using my ersatz beater, the Body Shop wooden comb that I bought precisely for this use.

Because of the thickness and density of the warp, it didn’t roll on very well on the back beam, and has come off the edges of the brown paper as well, but I’m hoping it will work out fine. At least, because of the construction of the loom, there ought not to be too much trouble with getting all the fabric on to the cloth beam as I weave.

Oh, and by the way, the lighter yarn is pale blue and some grey, since I didn’t have enough of the blue.

23.09.13. For the second bag (my friend wanted very specific colours) I ordered some bulky acrylic. I thought I’d try doubling it in the 7.5 dent heddle, but found that would give me a fabric I didn’t like, without even the serendipity of the first one, so I unthreaded one strand from each hole and slot. Now I have a mess of warpish length strands, but this looks much better.

I’d done regular houndstooth for the placemats I made a while ago, so I thought I’d try replacing the (dark) black with the (dark) red, since I had the colours to choose. And throw in a red stripe, to feel as if I have some “designing skills”. You know, panache. Style, even. It don’t look too bad, do it?

Colour and weave continues to be so much fun.

12 dent heddle with 4 strands of 4 ply yarn for the first garter-stitch type bag. 7.5 dent heddle with 8 ply bulky yarn for the second. About 95”-ish length of ends. The 7.5 yielded a much firmer fabric (although it might soften with washing, which I don’t intend to do, since it’s not a wearable), and somewhat narrower as well.

Stashbusting isn’t always what you intend. Now that I’ve seen these, I’m wondering if I should place an order for more colours of acrylic. Primarily because I am not able to locate any cotton yarn suitable for weaving with. I’ve tried a couple of mills, but obviously, they do not sell retail. I will continue to dream of weaving beautifully patterned cotton stoles… I can do it in silk, but that is not so affordable, obviously. But at least silk is available. None of which is relevant to this project ;-)