Anatomy of a dishtowel – Part 1: the warp

I’m going to weave some dishtowels.  I’ve selected a pattern which is new to me but doesn’t look too difficult.  The fiber is 8/2 cotton.  If all goes well there will be 4 dishtowels, ideally none alike.

Step 1 is to make the warp (the vertical strands).  Four dishtowels calls for 5 1/2 yards of warp and the pattern calls for 490 ends (strands).  I measured this out on my warping board.

This represents about 4 hours of me standing on the porch winding a single strand of cotton from a cone, back and forth around the pegs until I had the needed 490 ends.  The dangling strings are the ties which will keep the strands in order when I take them off the board.

To keep this manageable, they get formed into a warp chain:

Next up: putting the warp on the loom

[But not today because it is hot and sticky and even cotton isn’t much fun when it is hot.]

A new friend for the sheep at Terrapin Gardens Farm

Presenting Koala, born July 10, 2011

New capelet

I’ve knit the capelet in lace (fingering) weight yarn.  It makes a slightly smaller garment using the original pattern instructions.  This one I blocked differently to emphasize the waves at the bottom.

The updated pattern is available in my Ravelry store.

HPD now in Ravelry

Heron Pond Designs’ knitting patterns are now available in the Ravelry store.  You need not be a Ravelry member in order to shop in their store.  Please check out my designer page.

About Heron Pond Designs

Heron Pond Designs sells hand woven scarves, shawls and towels as well as knit socks made on an antique circular sock machine. I also offer custom knitting, finishing and design services to the Upper Valley and beyond. From selecting materials and pattern to delivery of your finished garment, I work with you to ensure complete satisfaction with your order. All woven and knit items are hand made by me, Jennifer Kortfelt, in my Vermont studio.

Currently offering:

• Hand woven or knit scarves and shawls
• Hand woven dish towels
• Socks and pedicure socks
• Custom knitting and finishing services
• Sample knitting and test knitting

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