Easy Breezy Weaving

In my part of the world, spring arrives very gradually. Even after the snowstorms and icy sidewalks of winter stop plaguing us, they are replaced by cold winds and even colder rain—keeping everyone around here happy to have woolens and hot tea and central heating. The skies are gray, the landscape is gray and black and brown, and camping out on the couch seems like the best way to cope with it all.

I never know exactly when it will happen, but one day a few months into the new year, I step outside and breathe in the distinct scent of the earth waking up. A soft breeze touches my cheek. From a distance, willow branches show just the slightest hint of yellow-green, and a close look tells me that the snowdrops are blooming among the leaf litter in the corner of the garden. My shoulders, which have been tensed up around my ears since late last year when the cold weather and short days descended, finally relax. Spring is on its way!

At some point not too long afterward, the temperature reaches “Hey, it’s really nice outside!” degrees, and we arrive at a new consensus about how we want to live. It’s time to throw off the shackles of winter—the warm scarves and clothing, or cozy throws and pillow covers—in favor of fresher, lighter, and airier items.

Have you noticed the golden opportunity for weavers this time of year? We can use the lengthening daylight hours to put a new warp on the loom! This issue is full of tempting ideas for light and lacy scarves and towels, seasonal table linens, a light jacket for breezy days, and even a transparent and painterly wall hanging.

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Inside the Spring 2025 issue

From left, Rebecca Smith's Sunset Reflections wall hanging; Eileen Lee‘s Mosaic Tiles Scarf; Mary McConnell‘s Sashiko Trails Table Linens; and Kate Lange-McKibben‘s City Circuits Scarf.

Are you intrigued by lace, drawn to doubleweave, or curious about sashiko? In the mood for inlay, or obsessed with stripes? Whatever your preference, there’s a project here to spark your creative spirit. And in keeping with the season’s gentler weather, you’ll find scarves and towels using silk, mohair, or linen, as well as cotton and Tencel.

Then, you can expand your weaving skills and understanding with the articles and features in this issue.
• Tom Knisely writes about the value of textiles, from how to set a price for your weaving to how much you’ll pay for the work of others—and the surprising reasons those prices can vary widely.
• Karen Donde reviews a comprehensive and important new book about how to weave optical illusions.
• Feeling confused about color? Tien Chiu explains how and why you can weave dramatically different pieces on the same warp—simply by changing your tie-up.
• Learn to use a handful of beads (or short pieces of drinking straws!) to create leno lace without doups or pick-up sticks.
• Meet a web tool meant for embroidery patterns, and learn about using it to easily create your own sashiko weaving drafts.

Moving around the world, Karen Brock gives us a glimpse of a remote Nepalese village where weavers are hanging on to their traditions in the wake of the pandemic. And you’ll learn about eri and how it is produced in a brief excerpt from Karen Selk’s recent book about wild silk.

From left, Cathy Wilcox‘s Wild Rose Runner; Dana Lutz‘s Beachcomber Towels; and Eileen Lee‘s Autumnal Mosaic Tiles Scarf.

Online, you‘ll find three bonus subscriber projects as part of this issue: a cheerful table runner, a set of towels that were inspired by walks on the beach, and a scarf with a vivid mosaic style.

Take a fresh look at ways to use colors in your weaving, with the Spring 2025 issue of Handwoven, available here.

One final note

Do you have weaving questions or comments? Please email me at handwoven@longthreadmedia.com.

And I‘m curious about what’s on your loom right now! Please send me pictures, or show us on Instagram or Facebook by using #handwovenmagazine.

Happy weaving!
Lynn

Lynn Rognsvoog is the editor of Handwoven.