Crackle-Weave Fantasy

Day 56: The three panels of "Crackle-Weave Fantasy" (HPB green book, p. 196, #VI) are done, but as you can see from the lower picture, I still have enough warp on the roller to make at least an additional three feet of cloth. I always warp extra length just in case things don't go quite as planned. Depending on the width, any additional yardage can be used as towels, a table runner, placemats, even a cover for a throw pillow, and of course I always like to have a little piece of any new-to-me draft or fiber for my weaving files. Again, once the three panels are off the loom and stitched together, I'm considering weaving a band to use as trim around all four sides. This will require a decision, though. The reverse of this particular fabric is as attractive as the side shown. The overall look is darker. Which is the "right" side? Crackle-weave patterns often require that judgment call. The floats are short in crackle as opposed to other overshot structures, never crossing more than three or four warp threads. However, in crackle, a tabby is not always required as it is in true overshot, by virtue of the coloured weft not necessarily needing to be secured in place by a plain-weave throw. Crackle is an excellent structure to explore for newcomers to the overshot technique.

A Scandinavian Favourite

Day 100: Marguerite Porter Davidson titled this crackle-weave pattern "A Scandinavian Favorite," so I chose to weave it in traditional red and white (natural). I had the warp measured and ready to go before I took the King's Flower piece off the loom, and jumped immediately into hanging it. At 24' in length, the winding occupied most of Friday, worked in short stints to spare my back and knees. Yesterday, I threaded the heddles and reed, but I could not go to bed without working a few inches to be sure I'd done it correctly. Half a block was all it took, having then cycled through all the treadling combinations. Crackle-weave is a type of overshot in that it is worked with two shuttles, one bearing the coloured pattern weft and the other, the tabby which binds the pattern in place. Shuttles are worked alternately, color and tabby, with multiple repeats forming blocks. The difference between crackle and other overshots is that the pattern thread never "floats" above more than three warp threads, giving the finished fabric an appearance reminiscent of crazed pottery. The reverse shows the colours in opposite. It is easier to weave than many other overshots because it is block-woven. This, then, will be that "holiday tablecloth" I had hoped to finish before Christmas...you know, the one which turned into King's Flower because it didn't look right. I'll just need some lefse and lutefisk to complete the project!