Hemstitching

Day 63: As a matter of course, I hemstitch both ends of my weavings while they are still on the loom. There are a few exceptions to that rule (notably when I am weaving two layers at once), and I can assure you that it's much easier to do when the warp strands are tight. When a project consists of several individual lengths (e.g., a set of towels), each end of each piece requires stitching. Hemstitching secures the last weft throw against the body of the cloth so that it does not come unwoven. I usually hemstitch over two threads, although a decorative effect can be achieved by working deeper into the woven fabric. Here, I am finishing up the first of two panels for a worsted-weight lap throw. Next, I will advance the warp so that there is a space between this end and the beginning of the next panel wide enough to make a fringe on both pieces.

From A Sow's Ear

Day 19: From the sow's ear of my stash of tag-end worsted yarns, I shall endeavour to make the proverbial silk purse in the character of a waffle-weave lap throw. Even if it doesn't work out according to plan, it'll be warm. When you have knit and crochet as many things as I have done over the years, that pile of leftovers, wrapped into little balls and tucked aside as "too big to throw away," threatens to reach critical mass. Lest my home should pass the event horizon of a black hole formed around a nucleus of yarn, the time has come to reduce my fiber footprint rather than buying even more yarn for another project. Although I still have a piece on the floor loom, it's near completion, so I've begun measuring a warp of worsted waste to replace it immediately. The "waffles" will be in stripes of coloured warp against a black weft (higher mathematics came into play to determine whether or not I had enough of ANY colour for weft, again trying to avoid buying more yarn). Warm, and bright in the bargain!