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January 31, 2023 newsletter

Sweetheart Bronson Lace

When I was creating the content for Block Analysis that we learned in S6E9 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.

So – just in time for Valentine’s Day – you can wear your “heart” around your neck even though you can’t wear your ❤️ on your sleeve. This fabulous scarf is fun to weave in 8-shaft Bronson Lace, which is the perfect canvas for creating these wonderful graphics. 

Jane


Season 6 Episode 9 Block Analysis

Back in the day – I was addicted to playing with Bronson Lace and testing my limits to see what I could create with it. When I was designing the Block Analysis episode for Season 6 Episode 9 – I found myself sliding into the hole again 😉 That’s when the Sweetheart Bronson Lace scarf was born and I knew you would love it. If you want to learn about the magic of playing with Block Analysis – now is the time. Winter days are still with us and you can brighten yours by getting the kit from Season 6 Episode 9 and putting on a warp for you to weave this fabulous scarf and still have lots of room left over to play with other designs you would like to explore.

Project Specs

Level of Difficulty: Intermediate
Weave structure: 8 Shaft Bronson Lace
Material: 8/2 cotton & 20/2 Tussah Silk
Each kit makes: 3 Scarves

Loom requirements

Shafts:8

Reed: 8 dent

Weaving width: 18″


Jane will be on Handweavers Guild of America’s

Textiles & Tea – February 7th at 4:00 PM (ET)

We are excited to share the news that on February 7, 2023, our very own Jane Stafford will be doing a live interview on the Handweavers Guild of America’s Textile & Tea weekly conversation.

Tuesday, February 7th at 4:00 PM (ET) and is sponsored by our very own Sharon Broadley @Colour.Woven!

These conversations are with some of the most respected fibre artists in the field today. In their 45-minute discussion, the focus is on their artwork and their creative journey. They allow 15 minutes at the end of the conversation for questions from the audience.

The episode is broadcast via Zoom and Facebook Live. These broadcasts are free to view and open to all.

All episodes of Textiles & Tea are recorded and are available to be watched on HGA’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. For more information on previous episodes, click the link below. 

https://weavespindye.org/textiles-and-tea/


From Our Inbox

This terrific example of what can happen when you use a photo for colour inspiration and then play with the graphic using Asymmetry. PK’s latest creation just flew out of our inbox grabbing our attention. It also speaks volumes about the many tools we have available to us to use when creating our own unique cloth. PK also added a “skill” layer to her scarf by dyeing the yarn she used to weave it. Well done, PK!
Hi, me again!

I thought you would like to see how I used what I learned in Asymmetry, plus a tad of influence from your colour inspiration guide.

Waiting for my shipment of your kit yarns (since arrived – yay!) I decided to make a merino scarf/shawl using the Asymmetry ideas. This morning of the decision I received a photo from my daughter of flowers she just bought herself. Perfect timing for a colour influence.

This 4 ply 100% NZ merino hand dyed by myself. The base colour is soft pink, lichen green is the zinger, the rest is cocoa brown, mist grey and off white.

Thanks for the fun! PK


Asymmetry Episode

If you’ve ever wondered whether a simple design element like Asymmetry could become magical … just glance up at From Our Inbox above and you will get an idea of the possibilities! If you haven’t watched the School of Weaving Asymmetry episode yet, now might be the time to get inspired and create something uniquely yours, as PK has done. Forget all the “ifs” and just have fun creating your own design based on Asymmetry!


JST 2023 Calendar!


We offer FREE shipping on all Louet looms within Continental North America. We also offer the option to pay a $1000.00 CAD deposit on your loom with the balance due when the loom ships out to you. This gives you the flexibility to make smaller payments toward your balance, at your convenience.


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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November 2nd, 2021 newsletter

Now that Fall is fully with us – you know what’s next…

Can you believe that Christmas is next month? I’ve heard the slight hint of anxiety slip into the voices of several of my fellow weavers, including staff! I know that some of you have friends and relatives that look forward to a new tea towel each Christmas, but you have just been too busy with other weaving projects to plan a warp and get it on the loom. So… we thought we would feature some of our very Christmassy tea towels in this newsletter along with some warm and cuddly scarves that also would make wonderful gifts. Sorry….you still have to wind your warp and get it on your loom – but all the planning has been done for you 😉

Jane

Holly & Berry Tea Towel Kit

Level of Difficulty: Advanced Beginner
Weave structure: Plain Weave & (Atwater) Bronson Lace
Material: 8/2 organic cottolin
Each kit makes: 4 tea towels

Loom requirements:
Shafts: 4
Reed: 12 dent
Weaving width: 24″

Each kit includes:

Weaving instructions (including draft)
2 – 250g cones of cottolin – Natural
1 – 100g cone each of cottolin – Rich Red or Forest Green
(depending on colourway chosen)


Christmas Stripes Tea Towel Kit

Level of Difficulty: Beginner
Weave structure: Plain Weave
Material: 8/2 Organic Cotton
Each kit makes: 7 Towels

Loom requirements:
Shafts: 4
Reed: 12 dent
Weaving width: 23″

Christmas Stripes kit (makes 7 towels) includes:

Weaving instructions (including draft)

2 250g cones of 8/2 organic cotton- Linen White

1 100g cones of 8/2 organic cotton- Gift Green 1

100g cone of 8/2 organic cotton- Light Stone Grey

1 100g cone of 8/2 organic cotton- Burgundy

1 100g cone of 8/2 organic cotton- Kentucky


Merino and Silk Scarves – Melting Ice

Level of Difficulty: Advanced Beginner
Weave structure: 2/2 Twill Weave
Material: 20/2 Bombyx Silk, 18/2 Merino
Each kit makes: 2 Scarves

Loom requirements:
Shafts: 4
Reed: 12 dent (or use your reed substitution chart)

Each kit includes: Weaving instructions (including draft)

1 100g skein of 20/Bombyx Natural

1 100g skein of 20/Bombyx Rainy Day

1 100g cone of 18/2 Merino Shale

1 100g cone of 18/2 Merino Pewter


Merino and Silk Scarves – Chocolate & Vanilla

Level of Difficulty: Advanced Beginner
Weave structure: 2/2 Twill Weave
Material: 20/2 Bombyx Silk, 18/2 Merino
Each kit makes: 2 Scarves

Loom requirements:
Shafts: 4
Reed: 12 dent

Each kit includes: Weaving instructions (including draft)
1 100g skein of 20/Bombyx Violet Ice
1 100g skein of 20/Bombyx Double Chocolate
1 100g cone of 18/2 Merino Suede
1 100g cone of 18/2 Merino Vanilla


Ask Jane

Warp stripes more dominant than the weft stripes in Plain Weave – why? (from the JST Knowledge Base)

I am a member of a weaving study group in Halifax, NS and our members have taken Jane’s Colour and Design workshop. When studying our design samples, we noticed (specifically in the plain weave asymmetrical design) that the warp stripes were more dominant than the weft stripes. Why? Would the same thing happen in a balanced twill? Well, that is a very good question and I’m not entirely, absolutely, perfectly sure about this, but here is my theory: The warp is under more tension than the weft while weaving so when you look up close at how much of each thread is showing we see more warp. The weft does more dippy, divey stuff and gets hidden more. We have come to this conclusion because it happens in balanced twills too. I hope this helps and I’m glad you are studying your samples.

image of Asymmetry sample below: warp direction and weft direction →

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Here to help

You can always find us on the Jane Stafford School of Weaving Forum or on Weave with Jane Stafford at Ravelry.