This is the final challenge on my journey to “sample” the new Berroco Tuscan Tweed yarn.
While knitting the yarn during the Tuscan Tweed KAL, I kept thinking that the character of the yarn might be perfect for rigid heddle weaving: Strong, not too bouncy or stretchy, and just the right amount of “fuzz” to make it a nice close fabric.
Well, we’ll see!
YARNS
The supporting yarns are all there for a specific reason, and it may turn out that it is just “too much”: I really wanted something boucle, to contrast the smooth character of the Tuscan Tweed. Then, I want to see if I can challenge the tweed effect, the white and blue dots that are so characteristic for the yarn. I chose the brightest Kobalt/Royal blue that I had in my stash, the shiny Soft Secret Royal. Also, again because of the smoothness of the yarn, I wanted to add some contrast with chenille and found the Reynolds Velourette Sparkle in my stash: A snow white chenille yarn with a silver thread … very winter fairly style!
PATTERN
Plain weave. I have not decided yet if I want to make stripes, or some type of tartan pattern.
PROJECT
It will be a scarf … possibly be turned into a cowl. Don’t know yet. The warp will be 2 meters.
I have to clear my ASIL 10” in the morning and then do some warping … 7.5 dpi should do well.
12-03-2016
Weaving Notes:
- Warp 210 cm, 84 inches
- Direct warping, threading total of 37 slots+holes as follows: 2 red, 1 blue, 3 red, 1 white, 3 red, 1 blue, 3 red, 1 green, 3 red, 1 white, 3 red, 2 blue, 1 red, 1 green, 1 red, 1 green, 1 red, 1 green, 1 red, 2 white, 4 red.
- Weft: Random, to try out different effects. All are pleasant.
- Weft stripes are woven in by overlapping in the middle, near the matching warp color.
- Twisted fringes 2+2 threads each fringe, using Leclerc fringing tool.
- Final scarf length excluding fringes is 155 cm, 62 inches.
- Wet finished by soaking the scarf for about ten minutes in cold water with “Soak”, then towel dry.
- Yarns: All but the Soft Secret do very well together. The Soft Secret yarn bulged a little bit after finishing. The Reynolds yarn holds up excellently and adds a gentle spark to the fabric. The combination of Tuscan Tweed and the Gedifra Panda is particularly favorable.
- Tuscan Tweed is DEFINITELY a winner for rigid heddle weaving.