Sample. This is my number one tip for achieving the idea you have in your mind. If you are changing the yarns used in a pattern, or are not using a published pattern, sampling will not only save you time, but disappointment, too. Dedicate a space to weaving. Having to set up and take down […]
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We’re just about a month away from our Fab 50 celebration here at the Schacht factory. We are so excited to share this special day with all of you! Whether you’re a weaver, spinner, or curious onlooker, there will be something for you to participate in and enjoy. We’ll start the day with factory tours […]
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Chanel tweed—this iconic fabric rose to fame in the 1920s when Coco Chanel commissioned fabric from a Scottish textile manufacturer. She then used it in her line of jackets, blazers, and skirts. To this day, Chanel still uses these classic textiles in their collections When Anzula asked me to try out their new yarn Dottie, […]
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Earlier in June, we had a staff picnic to honor our employees who had a work anniversary in the second quarter! Here’s a little bit more about them all below. Jillian Assembly 2 years Jillian has lived in Colorado for her whole life. When she was looking for work that involved lots of repetition and […]
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What can you say about a company that is so instrumental and ingrained in the crafts that you love? My entire experience of spinning and weaving would be completely different without the beautiful cherry Baby Wolf loom, cherry Matchless wheel, and end-delivery shuttle. My Schacht trifecta. They are inseparable from my craft and I am […]
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This project for luncheon napkins was inspired by a curtain fabric designed by Constance LaLena. It appeared in A Handwoven Treasury: The best projects, tips, and techniques from Handwoven magazine’s first ten years. As an editor of Handwoven during these years (and the editor of this collection), these curtains were always a favorite of […]
Read MoreBefore there was Handwoven, there was Interweave (the magazine). In 1976, I had just moved to Colorado and taken a weaving class from Deborah Chandler, then Debbie Redding, who introduced me to Interweave. I found everything about it exciting and interesting. In the fall of 1979, Handwoven hit the newsstand and I fell in love […]
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I love yarn!…and showing off that sumptuous variety we find in local yarn shops, or yarns we spin for ourselves, is one of the greatest strengths of the rigid heddle loom due to its easy tension. As rigid heddle weavers, we can achieve many effects whether for tapestry, home goods, or clothing. Approaching weaving from […]
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When planning on our 50th Anniversary products for our anniversary year, we wanted to give them a little extra significance to celebrate our milestone. A limited edition medallion that would grace all of our cherry Wolf Looms and Cherry Matchless Spinning Wheels seemed fitting. As it turned out, making the medallion was quite a process, […]
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When people ask me what I like about spinning, I tell them that I love having complete control over the whole process, and that I can make any yarn that I imagine. With my newfound love of weaving small tapestries, I find myself using more of my textured handspun yarns that I thought I couldn’t […]
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Project Notes: I love this bold broken twill pattern. It is fairly easy to thread and the straight twill treadling is a snap to weave. We threaded this up for our Anniversary Catalog and find that it looks terrific on the cherry 45” Standard Floor Loom. This is an 8-shaft pattern, but you could just […]
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If by chance you happen to follow me on Instagram, you know that I am fond of weaving fabric to create clothing. This project is an introduction on how to use your 4-shaft loom, in my case a Baby Wolf, to create a simple patterned cloth for a basic top or tunic. For this project, […]
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Waffle weave is created on a point-twill threading pattern. Floats around the outside edge of each square, create depth. We wove this fabric on 4 shafts; the more shafts used, the deeper the cells will be. Waffle weave structure is commonly used for towels because the fabric is absorbent and airy. The Wolf Pup is the […]
Read MoreDear Tabby, I’m not a new weaver, but it seems that no matter how hard I try, I still get wonky edges on my handwoven fabric. My selvedges are not consistent, and I am getting frustrated, HELP! -Sad Selvedges in Seattle Dear Sad, You’re right, this is a frustrating problem, but luckily there are […]
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Dear Tabby, I have a special Schacht fan in my life, but they seem to have everything! The holidays are approaching faster than I can think, and I still haven’t gotten them a gift. HELP! Sincerely, Frantic in Frankfort Dear Frantic, Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are some of our favorite products […]
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If you’ve avoided spinning cotton on your wheel because of the fiber’s reputed need for special equipment or you’ve heard that it’s a difficult spin, have I got news for you: neither of these things is definitively true. With some basic knowledge, a bit of practice, and even just your fast-speed whorl (at a 15:1 […]
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Schacht Spindle Company was founded in 1969 during the back-to-earth movement of the late 1960’s and its accompanying craft resurgence. Brothers Dan and Barry Schacht started their business quite by chance when a friend wanted to learn to spin. They’d heard about Greentree Ranch in Loveland, Colorado, the only place around that taught spinning. One […]
Read MoreDear Tabby, I’ve been trying to weave with a fairly fuzzy mohair yarn, and it’s giving me fits! It keeps sticking together and I am having trouble passing my weft yarn through. HELP!!! -Frustrated Francine Dear Frustrated, Mohair is notoriously difficult to weave with, however the effects are so stunning, that it’s hard to […]
Read MoreDear Tabby, I’m a new weaver and I’ve been told you can’t use knitting yarns for weaving. I have a Cricket Loom and would really like to use some of my knitting yarn stash to weave. –Uncertain Dear Uncertain, You can definitely use knitting yarns for weaving—with a few caveats. You can use almost anything […]
Read MoreDear Tabby, I have a some luxury yarn that I want to weave with as little loom waste as possible. HELP! Exasperated Evelyn Dear Evelyn, There are ways to maximize your warp and waste as little precious yarn as you can, so have no fear. Both of these techniques can be done on a […]
Read MoreTraveling with fiber arts is easy with the right tools and a good plan. I travel to teach a lot, so I take a wheel (my Sidekick) instead of a spindle. The Sidekick fits in tiny spots when I’m traveling by car and into a suitcase when I fly. I’m usually happily surprised with how […]
Read MoreI can’t get enough color in my life! My favorite thing is to spin hand-dyed top because there are so many different ways the colors can play out. I’ve been dipping my toe into weaving using my Cricket, and I recently got the urge to try weaving hand-dyed handspun yarn. It was surprising and brought […]
Read MoreDear Tabby, I’m in the market to buy a new spinning wheel, but with five different Schacht wheels to try, I’m not sure which one will be the best fit. Help! —Indecisive Irene Dear Indecisive, How exciting! The decision to purchase a new spinning wheel is a big one, and it’s very personal. Taking the […]
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Good things come from spending time with fellow weavers. We share finished projects, newly discovered tools and toys, and honest critiques. Our lively conversations inspire, motivate, and nudge us into trying new structures and unusual materials. Last year, one of my fellow guild members shared a scarf she’d woven with weft from silk fabric “harvested” […]
Read MoreDear Tabby, I have heard of a double-bobbin boat shuttle, but why would I want to use that instead of just winding 2 threads together on a bobbin? —Not Sure Nori Dear Not Sure, You can certainly wind 2 ends together on a bobbin, say if you want to blend colors together or double 2 […]
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Trying new things was on the top of my list for 2018, so I signed up for a 3-day painted warp workshop given by Sarah Saulson at my LYS, Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins. It had been nearly 20 years (!) since I’d taken a formal class, and I found the experience rejuvenating. Preparation We were to […]
Read MoreDraft Mix and Match: You can take parts of drafts to create your own custom patterns Most of my weaving the past 20 years has been focused on the rigid heddle loom, specifically our Flip and Cricket Loom. This workshop provided an opportunity to weave on a shaft loom (I used our Wolf Pup 8.10). […]
Read MoreDear Tabby, I’ve heard of a floating selvedge but I don’t know when and how to use it? Your help is appreciated. Thanks, June in Jefferson City Dear June, A floating selvedge is an extra warp thread on either side of the weaving. It is wound on just like a regular warp thread, but […]
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Krokbragd, meaning “crooked path”, is a Norwegian word for a particular weft-faced weaving technique. This technique is perfect for making a thick and warm woven fabric that would keep out drafts when used as a wall or window hanging and be very warm as a bed covering or lap blanket in cold Scandinavian climates. The […]
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Dear Tabby I have some yarn that I want to use for a project but I don’t know how much I have. I don’t want to run out. Please help. If you don’t have the original packaging to know what the yards per pound is of the yarn in question. You can easily figure this […]
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