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August 8, 2023 newsletter

JST Silk Bombay

Magic always happens in a dye pot – but sometimes in ways that surprise you. Our silk colour Favourite Wine came out of the dye pot in the deeper, richer colour of a Cabernet Sauvignon rather than the cheerful bright red of a Shiraz! A happy accident that is available while quantities last. Grab a skein or 2 of Bombay in 30/2 Bombyx or in 20/2 Tussah.


Sweetheart Bronson Lace Scarf

When I was creating the content for block analysis that we learned in Season 6 Episode 9 of the School of Weaving I had leftover warp and thought I’d play a bit more. Hearts popped off my graph paper and into the cloth. One version took 12 treadles and I kept playing around until I could get a heart using just 10 treadles which all 8 shaft looms have (I think)! If you look at the scarf, the hearts on the left hand side need 10 treadles so that is what this pattern has been written for.

We can make this kit in any silk colour you like! Simply, put the Sweetheart Bronson Lace Scarf kit into your cart, on the checkout screen in the “notes” section let us know what colour of 20/2 Bombyx silk you would like us to make the kit in.


Level of Difficulty: Intermediate
Weave structure: 8 Shaft Bronson Lace
Material: 20/2 Bombyx Silk & 8/2 cotton

Loom requirements:
Shafts: 8
Reed: 8 dent
Weaving width:18″
Finished Dimensions: 16″ X 63″ long (plus fringe)


Charlie’s Silk Scarf

This beautiful scarf was designed by Charlotte Holmes using two of our Tussah silk yarns. It is a simple two stripe design with log cabin patterning, half the warp is threaded dark/light and the other half light/dark. You can play with your stripes however you wish!

Warping is fast and easy because you get to warp with two ends in your hand 😉

Level of Difficulty: Beginner
Weave structure: Plain Weave
Material: 20/2 Tussah Silk in Chocolate Cherry & Natural
Each kit makes: 2 Scarves

Loom requirements:
Shafts: 4
Reed: 10 dent
Weaving width: 10″


From Our Knowledge Base

Wet finishing fine yarn fabrics

New to weaving with silk and/or other fine yarns? Wondering how to finish it after you have taken your precious item off the loom? We thought it was a good time to share the article from our Knowledge Base that covers your questions and/or concerns. 

I have recently woven a 20/2 silk scarf in a lace weave, which turned out beautifully. However, when I washed it, spun it for 30 seconds in the gentle spin, hung to dry and ironed it dampish, the fabric is still showing creases, which won’t iron out. The same thing happened with the last three bamboo scarves in plain weave. I cannot get the creases out. I rewashed them but it didn’t make a difference. Where have I gone wrong?

Silk loves to crease when it is wet. When I wash my silk, I never wring it out. I have always hand washed my silk scarves and stoles in the kitchen sink and I let them drip dry in my shower. Imagine taking your silk scarf and lowering it into your sink, lowering it down like an accordion. I then raise and lower the silk up and down to wash it. When I have finished the washing I accordion it into a lasagna pan sitting beside the sink. Rinse it the same way, always ‘accordioning’ it, never wringing it. I then take the lasagna pan up to the shower and drape the scarf over a broom handle stretched across the shower (I have a corner shower) and I let the scarf drip dry. Then I steam press it with a thin cloth over it. Same thing with any fine yarn, like the bamboo.


All David and Spring looms are in stock and ready to ship. Once ordered the looms generally take 5 days to reach our customers!



Here to help

Have a weaving question? Find us on the Jane Stafford School of Weaving Forum and on Weave with Jane Stafford at Ravelry.

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August 1, 2023 newsletter

New Baby Alpaca Yarn

We are so excited to finally introduce you to our new Baby Alpaca yarn and the wonderful range of colours that you can choose when you weave with it. Just imagine the wonderful scarves you could create for both the men and women in your family as ……… presents. (we don’t want to use the “C” word in August – this year is already flying by too quickly ;

6/2 Peruvian baby alpaca is available in 100 g cones
with 984 yds/cone (4457yds/lb)

This stunning baby alpaca is sure to convert even the itchiest of people into alpaca lovers. This yarn can be used in the warp and the weft and blends absolutely beautifully with 40/2 linen, 30/2 and 20/2 silk and even 8/2 cotton! This is not a superwash yarn. Check out our Fulling Instructions on the JST Knowledge Base for tips on fulling!

Sett

  • plain weave: 16 epi
  • twill 18 epi

Free Pattern – Alpine Alpaca Scarf


Last Chance Kit

Sometimes we just have to say so long, farewell and goodbye to some of our kits due to lack of space 😔 So ….. it’s goodbye to Berry Bowl and Kiwi (both are different colourways for our Just Monk’n Around tea towel kit). There are only a few left in these colours and when they are gone – they’re gone!

Level of Difficulty: Intermediate
Weave structure: Monk’s Belt with Plain Weave
Material: 8/2 cotton
Each kit makes: 8 Tea Towels

Loom requirements:
Shafts: 4
Reed: 10 dent
Weaving width: 22.7″


Share your weaving project!

We’ve been delighted to include so many wonderful examples of what our members have learned through our School of Weaving and how they have interpreted that knowledge into their own unique cloth. We’d love to see what YOU are creating – send us your photos, and the story behind what you have created on your loom as a member of the School of Weaving.


All David and Spring looms are in stock and ready to ship. Once ordered the looms generally take 5 days to reach our customers!



Here to help

Have a weaving question? Find us on the Jane Stafford School of Weaving Forum and on Weave with Jane Stafford at Ravelry.