at times, being spacey can be a good thing. The spaces in these mats are formed by skipping holes and slots while the warp is threaded through the rigid heddle to create a lacy look while economizing on warp yarn. All four of these mats are woven on the same warp, but a different hue is used for the weft of each for visual variety. To keep the yarns from slipping, the first and last weft picks held in place with Fray Check, requiring no further finishing than trimming the fringe.
Four mats, each about 14" (35.5 cm) wide by 19" (48.5 cm) long, with 2" (5 cm) fringe at each end.
Plain weave with spaced warp.
10-dent rigid heddle with 15" (38 cm) weaving width; one stick shuttle; three 4" (10 cm) cardboard spacers a little longer than the weaving width.
Sett (epi)
10.
Weaving Width
15" (38 cm).
Picks per Inch
10.
Warp Length
122" (310 cm; includes 30" [76 cm] for loom waste and take-up, and 4" [10 cm] between mats for fringe).
Number of Warp Ends
84.
Warp Spacing Order
[Thread 6, skip 12, thread 6, skip 3, thread 12, skip 3] 3 times, thread 6, skip 12, thread 6.
Warp
2-ply 3/2 mercerized cotton (1,260 yd [1,152 m]/lb): 285 yd [260.5 m] yellow gold. Shown here: UKI 3/2 Mercerized Cotton Yarn (100% cotton; 1,260 yd [1,152 m]/lb): #30 Antique.
Weft
2-ply 3/2 mercerized cotton (1,260 yd [1,152 m]/lb): 92 yd (84 m) each of four shades of gold.
Shown here: UKI 3/2 Mercerized Cotton Yarn (100% cotton; 1,260 yd [1,152 m]/lb): #84 Gold Dust, #9 Ginger, #7 Oak, and #29 Old Gold.
Other Supplies
Fray Check.
Warp the loom (see page 24) following the specifications on page 109. Be sure to double check the spacings in the threading—mistakes will show!
Weave an inch or two header to spread the warp ends (see page 40).
With your first weft color, weave a pick, change sheds, tuck the tail from the first pick into the new shed and throw the second pick, beating the tail between the two weft picks. Weave a few more inches, then apply Fray Check to the end of the cloth to prevent the warp and weft threads from drifting. Allow the Fray Check to thoroughly dry before advancing the warp. Continue to weave for a total of 20" (51 cm). Cut the weft, leaving an 8" (21.5 cm) tail. Thread the tail on a tapestry needle and needle weave (see page 120) it into the cloth between the second-to-last and the last pick and exit in front of the last warp end before the first gap. Apply Fray Check to the exit point of the weft tail and allow it to dry thoroughly, then trim the tails.
Insert a 4" (10 cm) cardboard spacer between the end of the first mat and the beginning of the second. With a different weft color, weave another mat in the same way, being careful that the first few picks form a straight edge. Weave two more mats with the remaining two weft colors.
Remove the fabric from the loom (see page 46), leaving several inches of warp at each end for fringe. Remove the header and spacers.
Carefully cut apart the mats in the center of the 4" (10 cm) unwoven spacings with a rotary cutter against a self-healing mat, leaving 2" (5 cm) of fringe at each side of each mat.
To launder the mats, handwash them in warm water with dish soap and lay flat to dry. Fray Check is water resistant under mild temperatures.
Lovely Lace
Lace can be as simple as using a loose sett with fine thread or skipping spaces in the warp or weft. There are also lovely hand-manipulated weaves that twist the warp or weft in decorative ways to make unique gauzy fabrics.
