A Timely Gift

Day 114: Imported from Scotland via Canada, a much-anticipated Christmas gift was delivered to me a few days ago by a weaving friend, timely in that it barely escaped falling under the ludicrous Trump Tariff on Canadian goods. This fine 16/2 wool will be woven into a light summer shawl of my tartan, McLeod of Lewis, also sometimes laughingly referred to as the "loud McLeod." I will be weaving it to spec, as it were, because true tartans must conform to how they are registered with the Scottish Registry of Tartans. In this case, that means a repeat of 16 black, 2 yellow, 16 black, 2 yellow, 16 black, 24 yellow, 2 red, 24 yellow on a twill threading. Because I plan to weave it on my floor loom at 30 inches wide (to shrink down to roughly 27 inches), it will require 900+ string heddles for a sett of 30 ends per inch. Max currently has about 500, so there's a lot of knot-tying in my future. I may have to adjust the sett somewhat in order to obtain a 50/50 weave (i.e., one with as many weft passes as there are warp threads in an inch). The wool is not the thinnest fiber I have ever woven by any means, but it will take extra care to be sure I don't break threads. However, first I have to finish weaving "Friend Evelyn." I have 8 feet done, and about 15 to go.