More Than Just Great Paper

Recently you’ve probably heard us talk quite a bit about the paper in the November/December 2019 issue of Handwoven. Having just got my copy in the mail I can attest that it’s spectacular. No more being able to read what’s on the back of the page! No more having pages rip if you look at the magazine wrong! However, I feel that as good as the paper is (and it is very good), what’s really and truly important is what’s printed on the pages of the magazine. This issue is, I’m happy to say, more than just great paper.

In this issue’s Notes from the Fell, Tom Knisely wins the award for best article title with his “A Shroud to Die For.” Beyond the delightfully macabre title, the article is funny and fascinating as Tom talks about green burials and what it would take to weave his own shroud. I don’t know that we’ll be publishing schematics of such a thing any time soon, but I’m quite sure after reading this article more than a few weavers might be contemplating their own burial weaving.

Another must-read article is the Idea Gallery on deflected doubleweave by Janney Simpson. Now, I’m not saying that Janney Simpson is a witch but the things she does with deflected doubleweave are downright magical. She goes beyond the basics to weave up scarves with pockets so you can thread one end through and have an instant cowl, fabric with pull threads to create a shibori resist for dyeing, crimp cloth, and so much more. You’d better believe we’ll be begging Janney to weave us some projects for future issues, but in the meantime read her article, although you can always weave her Layers of Air scarf from the November/December 2016 issue if you can’t wait.

Rebecca Fox's sweet baby blanket.

There are many other wonderful articles in the issue, but I want to take a take a moment to talk about the projects because they are so very good! Each project riffs on the theme of weaving in circles and curves using a wide variety of structures and techniques. There’s a huck-lace baby blanket by Rebecca Fox, a wonderful scarf in Ms and Os by Dorothy Tuthill that I cannot stop looking at, and a bright and beautiful rigid-heddle woven Möbius by C. C. Earthly just to name a few. And, of course I’d be remiss not to mention Linda Gettmann’s simply stunning 4-shaft twill towels featured on the cover. They make me want to close my laptop and run upstairs to weave. Personally, I can’t think of a better compliment.

Linda Gettmann's gorgeous towels from the cover of the issue.

I could write pages more about this amazing, wonderful issue of Handwoven, but you’ll have to check it out for yourself. I’m beyond thrilled that these thoughtful, fascinating articles and beautiful projects are all printed on paper that does them justice. I hope you love it as much as we do. (And if you do end up felting your own coffin or weaving your own shroud, please let us know!)

Happy Weaving!

Christina