How to Handweave a Scarf

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Gather your scissors

   A warping board is available from Schacht Spindle or LeClerc.
   
   Your warp yarn is medium weight, about 1,200 yards (1,097.3 m) per pound, strong, not easily broken when you tug on it, but interesting for a scarf.
   
   You will be winding 96 warp threads that are
   3.5 yards (3.2 m) long each for a 12 inch (30.5 cm) scarf.
   
   You will need 257 yards (235.0 m) for one scarf's warp.
2. 2

   Step 2: warp yarn

   , This is where your "cross" will be.
   
   The "cross" keeps your warp threads separated and aligned. ,, At the cross, if the first yarn is "over the peg" this one will go "under the peg" and the same alternating pattern for the next cross peg.
   
   You can see the "cross" take shape. ,, Before you remove the warp from the warping board you will tie the warp in several places to keep the threads form tangling.
   
   Tie the separated groups of thread in the "cross" area so that the "cross" remains intact. , Grasp the yarn, place the loop from the peg onto the wound warp on the board, pulling it gently off the warping board as you work, and pull the warp through the loop continue to "crochet" the warp chain off the board until you reach the "cross" area.
   
   Voila, you have chained your warp! ,, You want one end untied.
   
   Put the lease sticks through your cross.
   
   This forms your cross that keeps your threads from tangling.
   
   Once you have placed the lease sticks in the cross, tie the lease sticks back together. , Tie the warp on in small groups of about 12 threads each group.
   
   Space it evenly over the beam, so the warp is approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide on the back beam. , Insert paper or lease sticks into the back beam warp as you wind it on.
   
   This keeps your warp aligned. ,, (at least 20 inches) , Repeat to the end. , Measure where your 12 inch (30.5 cm) scarf will be centered on the loom.
   
   Begin to thread each thread through each space in the reed until finished.
   
   If your warp is off-center, remove the threads and re-do the threading so your warp will be centered. , Tension should be the same across the front beam. , If not, re-do the section that is incorrect. , This aligns the groups of warp threads and your warp will even out and be perfectly spaced.
   
   This part will be your fringe, as well. , At every shot of the weft, be sure to maintain your selvages. ,,, Trim the fringe to a desirable length.
   
   Voila!
3. 3

   Step 3: warping board.

4. 4

   Step 4: Tie the end of your warp yarn to the end peg on your warping board.

5. 5

   Step 5: Place two pegs between the end peg and the first turn of the warping board.

6. 6

   Step 6: Wind the first thread over one cross peg and under the second cross peg

7. 7

   Step 7: then around the first corner peg until you have wound the first 3.5 length

8. 8

   Step 8: Turn the yarn around the last peg and retrace your first warp thread/yarn back to the cross.

9. 9

   Step 9: Turn the yarn around the initial peg and repeat from step 4 until you have wound 257 threads.

10. 10

    Step 10: Cut several pieces of contrasting yarn.

11. 11

    Step 11: To remove the warp from the board

12. 12

    Step 12: put your hand into the loop at the last peg - the end of the warp - not the "cross" end.

13. 13

    Step 13: Place your warp on the front beam of the loom.

14. 14

    Step 14: Untie the cord that holds your two lease sticks on the loom together.

15. 15

    Step 15: Pull the warp through the lease sticks to reach the back beams tie on apron.

16. 16

    Step 16: Once attached to the back beam

17. 17

    Step 17: begin to wind the warp onto the back beam using your looms back beam advance.

18. 18

    Step 18: Continue to the end

19. 19

    Step 19: leaving about one yard hanging through the loom towards the front beam.

20. 20

    Step 20: Cut the ends of the warp leaving plenty of warp to thread through the loom onto the harnesses and heddles.

21. 21

    Step 21: Set your harness to thread a plain weave - begin to thread each ;warp thread through the heddles

22. 22

    Step 22: beginning at harness one

23. 23

    Step 23: next two

24. 24

    Step 24: Insert an 8 dent reed in the beater.

25. 25

    Step 25: Tie your warp threads to the front beam apron in small groups of about 12 threads each.

26. 26

    Step 26: Check that you have no crossed threads by depressing the pedals and checking the warp- is it lifting all the threads in correct order?

27. 27

    Step 27: Find some scrap fabric or newspaper to use to weave off the first 12 inches (30.5 cm) or so of your warp.

28. 28

    Step 28: Wind your weft thread onto a bobbin and begin to weave

29. 29

    Step 29: checking for even tension.

30. 30

    Step 30: Continue to weave until you have woven 72 inches (182.9 cm).

31. 31

    Step 31: Cut the warp off the back beam and unwind the finished scarf from the front beam.

32. 32

    Step 32: Lay the scarf on a table and tie the fringe in groups of 4 or more.

Detailed Guide

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