by Annie MacHale For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in patterns and colors. Some of my earliest memories are about noticing patterns on peoples’ clothing and taking “snapshots” in my mind of ones that I liked. Members of my family have learned that when I am looking at something in […]
Read MoreWeaving Tapestry on My New Arras
by Kennita Tully Meet Kennita! I began weaving tapestry in the 70s but eventually gave it up to pursue a knitwear design career in the late 80s. So many wonderful happenings have occured in the tapestry world since then! It’s encouraging to see tapestry weave-alongs, new tapestry books, yarns, and looms coming out… like the […]
Read MoreOver-dyed Woven Runner
In this project, I over-dyed a handwoven runner with indigo. I loved seeing the interaction of weave pattern and dye work. Weaving & Over-dyeing This project started out as a sample warp for workshops. Many people wove it with a variety of yarns, then I finished the runner. While I loved working with these “ghost” […]
Read MoreWelcome Back
On May 11th, we reopened the factory for production. It is wonderful to be working again, making the products that you have been waiting for. We thank you for your continued patience and encouragement during this time. Though we’re back—and so glad to be working again—things aren’t quite the same: there are morning health checks […]
Read MoreDye plants in the Schacht Gardens
It’s planting season! Employee garden plots are one of the many perks at Schacht. Each spring, several of us dig in and get our hands dirty in summer gardens. We’re so happy that Schacht has reopened and we can start our gardens—safely, with masks on of course. I have been planting dye plants in my […]
Read More2020 Schacht Tools for Schools Grant Recipients
This year we received 39 applications for our Tools for Schools Grant, from which we selected 2 winners. It was an incredible group of applicants. We were so pleased to see all of the interest and excitement for education in the textile arts. Washington Elementary School North Dakota Elementary teachers Emma and Lynette work together […]
Read MoreArras Tapestry Loom Videos
We are excited to announce the release of two videos for the Arras Loom. Assembly and warping videos are now on Youtube! Assembling the Arras Tapestry Loom Warping the Arras Tapestry Loom
Read MoreHemp Table Linens
Earth Day is just around the corner! Let’s hear from Constance Hall about her adventures weaving with hemp on the Zoom Loom. Learn how to work this unique fiber to make 2 fabulous table toppers. Why Hemp? Sustainability is more than just a buzzword these days, especially for makers. We want to reuse and remake, […]
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Spin Along Post #2-Pure Colors: Chain Plying
Our Spring Quarantine Spin Along is well underway with many posts and projects. Join us on Ravelry, Instagram and Facebook. #springquarantinespin We are still shipping our Colorful Colorado Spring Fiber while the factory is closed. Sign up for the spin along and receive a code for FREE SHIPPING on fiber. In this post, Deb uses an […]
Read MoreExplore Tapestry Weave Along
Weave Along with Jane Patrick Sign up here. We’ll begin on April 13th! Jane is at home getting to know our new Arras Tapestry Loom—and rediscovering tapestry weaving. She just wove this sampler tapestry bag that will appear in the May-June issue of Handwoven. There’s a lot to learn from weaving this bag—and you have […]
Read MoreLooking for Comfort & Peace of Mind
Like all of you, we are on edge here at Schacht. The Coronavirus has thrown us into a whole new “normal” that is unnerving and difficult to adjust to. I keep finding myself using every spare moment to check the news updates and read all the articles I can. While it is important to stay […]
Read MoreDeveloping the Arras Tapestry Loom: An Interview with Rebecca Mezoff
SSC: Rebecca, thanks so much for joining us to discuss the process of developing the Arras Tapestry Loom. One of the most important aspects of working out the design of a new product is to be sure that the product functions for the intended purpose. That’s why we sought you out. We wanted the expert […]
Read MoreCustom Colorway from Greenwood Fiberworks
We are so excited to announce our collaboration with Greenwood Fiberworks. Carolyn and her team have hand-dyed two fiber bases in a custom colorway just for Schacht. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog featuring our own Deb Gerish and her spinning experiments with this fiber. You can purchase this fiber on our website. Limited edition—don’t […]
Read MoreInlay Heart Inkle Band
Inlaid hearts allow for color changes along the length of a band. Instead of threading the pattern in the warp, I’ve created it in the weft with a supplementary weft. This technique is based on dukagang, a Scandinavian technique, in which a weft is inlaid in and tied down at intervals by a single warp […]
Read MoreFall In Love With The Arras Tapestry Loom
Introducing The Arras Tapestry Loom Contact your local dealer to pre-order today! Coming Spring 2020 Tapestry weaving is growing in popularity and to meet the enthusiasm, we have designed the Arras Tapestry Loom. The Arras embraces traditional tapestry weaving with a modern, thoughtfully designed loom. It’s a rugged loom with all of the features experienced […]
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New Books for 2020!
As we look towards a new year with community in mind, in the office we are discovering skills and inspiration through these new books! Start the year right by diving into your textile studio work with your friendly Schacht office staff. Look for upcoming blogs on what we’re doing with these books. Huck Lace Weaving […]
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The Year Ahead with Schacht
Thank you so much for celebrating our 50th Anniversary with us in 2019. While telling our story last year, we found ourselves more connected with the community that has made our 50 years possible. This year at Schacht, we will be celebrating the weavers and spinners that make up our local and global community. We’ll […]
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Quarter 4 Employee Honors
Donna C. – Manufacturing Manager Donna grew up in Danville, Virginia and moved around a lot as a child. She’s lived in Longmont off and on since 1994. She and her husband (Peter W.) work in side-by-side roles at Schacht. Donna organizes and facilitates workflow of products. She’s been with Schacht since December 2013, working […]
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From Loving Hands – Sharing Stories that Honor the Past
by Judy Newland Schacht Spindle Company just celebrated a 50th anniversary and it got me thinking about the people who helped me get started in spinning, weaving, and other textile pursuits. We never get to where we are without a helping hand and honoring those who came before – the ancient ones and those closer […]
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How to Warp the Cricket Loom
Did you know we have a YouTube channel? Periodically we upload weaving, spinning, and product tutorials; just like this one on direct warping on a Cricket Loom!
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Striped Hooded Scarf
Weave your own classy hooded scarf on a pin loom. You’ll get a rounded hood, instead of a sharp pixie point, by sewing one square at an angle. Customize it with colors of your choice to make your favorite colors pop in the stripes. The color change is made during the weft, so warping is […]
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Bonfire Bag – Darn Good Yarn Collaboration
This month we have a new yarn company collaboration; Darn Good Yarn! I have been super excited about this, as Darn Good Yarn was one of the first yarn companies I was introduced to when I began my textile arts journey. This project combines many elements and colors into one cohesive piece, and was definitely […]
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Frame Loom Weaving Tips
Weaving on a little loom is satisfying and can yield instant gratification. However, every now and then, small projects can be more challenging than expected. This project was full of “learning moments” and I wanted to pass these nuggets of wisdom along. Variable weights of weft yarn causing tension issues As I was weaving, I […]
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Zoom Loom Notebook Cover and Pencil Case
It’s back-to-school time! Create a beautiful customized notebook cover and pencil case with Zoom Loom squares to amaze your friends or to send your student off in style! Make a “monogrammed” notebook cover with embroidery. Weave a matching or coordinating pencil case to make it a set. The ends of the pencil case are turned […]
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Quarter 3 Employee Honors
Lance B. – Shipping & Facilities Manager Lance was born in Pella, Iowa, and grew up in Miller, South Dakota—a town of about 1800 people. He moved to Colorado in 2015, after spending a few years in Phoenix, Arizona. Most of his family still lives in Iowa, though one sister lives in Colorado. Lance just […]
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Jane Patrick’s Top 10 Weaving Tips
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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Fab 50 Celebration – September 20th, 2019
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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Channeling Chanel in a Handwoven Pleated Skirt
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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Quarter 2 Employee Honors
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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Felicia Lo – Dyeing Barry’s Jubilee
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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