In the past year I’ve been exploring different variations in plain weaving on a rigid heddle loom. Rigid heddle loom weaving consists of warp and weft threads (or yarn). The warp thread is held vertically (lengthwise) under tension while the weft thread is passed horizontally through the warp threads by the weaver.
One way to add some texture to a plain weave is to have warp, weft or both warp and weft floats. Pictured below is a woven scarf and a woven wrap/shawl that has both warp and weft floats. The scarf was woven with same cotton yarn for both its warp and weft. The wrap/shawl was woven with two different colors of wool yarn for its warp and weft.
Floats are skips (not passed through) in the warp or weft threads and are created by using a pickup stick. A warp float is when the warp thread skips over two or more weft threads and a weft float is when the weft thread skips over the two or more warp threads (see picture below). Both warp and weft floats are created by how the pickup stick is placed behind the heddle. For the warp float, the pickup stick is turned on its side behind the heddle and for the weft float the pickup stick is turned on its edge behind the heddle.
These woven items are just the beginning of my exploration of the various combinations and textures created by a pickup stick and one heddle. I look forward to learning more about the different weaving techniques on a rigid heddle loom and how to combine them with some knit or crochet stitch patterns.
One of the things I find interesting as a knitter is how some knit stitch patterns look so similar to certain crochet or woven stitch patterns. To me a plain weave is much like a garter knit stitch pattern. So when I wove this wrap in houndstooth weave pattern (pictured above) using 2 different colors of yarn, I wanted to see how the same weave pattern and yarn would translate into a knitted houndstooth stitch pattern.
The Interwoven Earwarmer is knit bottom up and in the round. It is knit with two different colors of yarn in the houndstooth stitch pattern that uses garter stitch pattern along with slip stitches. A crochet slip stitch is then used for the cast on and bind off edges. Lastly, a duplicate stitch is used to reinforce the stockinette stitch in the back of the Interwoven Earwarmer
Materials needed to knit the Interwoven Earwarmer:
Yarn: Loops and Threads Cozy Wool Merino DK weight yarn in Colorway A: Cream and Colorway B: Purple (The yarn has been discontinued but substitute yarns are listed here on Yarn Sub website) Knitting Needles: US #6 16-inch circular needles; US #8 knitting needles for the cable cast on and bind off Crochet Hooks: US F-5 and US G-6 Tapestry needle to weave in ends and for the duplicate stitch Gauge: 5.5 stitches per inch in garter houndstooth stitch pattern with US #6 knitting needles Size: M – about 20 inches in circumference and about 3.75 inches in length without stretching Abbreviations: K: Knit P: Purl pm: place marker sm: slip marker BOR: beginning of round s1 purlwise: with working yarn in back slip 1 stitch purlwise from the left needle […]: stitch pattern repeats
The Interwoven Earwarmer Pattern (text and images for personal use only)
Cast on 112 stitches with Yarn Colorway A (cream) and US #8 knitting needles using the cable cast on method. Transfer all the stitches to US #6 16-inch circular needles. Place a BOR marker, join the round by knitting as follows:
Round 1: With Colorway A (cream), knit to the BOR marker, slip BOR marker
Round 2: With Colorway A (cream) knit the first stitch, switch to Colorway B (purple) yarn and [K2, s1 purlwise] repeat […] till BOR marker, slip BOR marker
Round 3: With Colorway A (cream) knit the first stitch, switch to Colorway B (purple) yarn and purl all stitches till the BOR marker, slip BOR marker
Round 4: With Colorway A (cream) knit the first stitch, and with the same Colorway A [s1 purlwise, K2] repeat […] till BOR marker, slip BOR marker
Round 5:With Colorway A (cream) knit the first stitch, and with the same Colorway A purl all stitches till the BOR marker, slip BOR marker
Repeat Rounds 2 to 5, nine more times. Repeat Rounds 2 and 3, one more time. Repeat Round 1, one more time Bind off stitches with US #8 and Colorway A yarn. Insert the US F-5 hook in the last stitch for a slip stitch crochet edge.
With the last stitch on US F-5 hook and Colorway A (cream) yarn, chain 1 and then insert hook under the first bind off stitch, yarn over and pull the yarn over under the bind off stitch and slip stitch it with the first stitch on the hook. Repeat this with the next bid off stitches till one stitch left on the hook. Bring the working yarn through the last stitch.
Repeat the same with slip stitch crochet method as above for the cast on stitches with Colorway A yarn and US G-6 hook
Duplicate Stitch or Swiss Darning (optional): Using a tapestry needle and Colorway A yarn reinforce the first knit stitch of each round with the duplicate stitch (to learn how to do this watch a video tutorial on duplicate stitch by Staci of verypink.com)
Weave in the ends, wash and block the Interwoven Earwarmer
Hello folks, it’s 2023 now and time to either plan or start working on our goals for this year. This year my goals are to write and learn more about rigid heddle loom weaving as well as complete my lingering knitting/crochet projects from the previous years.
The Winterland Neckwarmer is knit bottom up and in the round. The cable stitch pattern and the yarn used for this pattern are the same as the ones used for the Winterland Hat. These two knitted items can be worn together. The bulky yarn makes it a quick project to knit. The Winterland Neckwarmer is light and warm making it quite suitable to wear for the freezing temperatures of this month.
The Winterland Neckwarmer Pattern (text and images for personal use only)
Yarn: Lion Brand Scarfie® yarn in the Cream/Silver colorway Knitting Needles: US #7 and US #8 16-inch circular needles; US #9 knitting needles for the cable cast on and bind off Tapestry needle to weave in ends Cable Needle Gauge: 4.5 stitches / 6 rows per inch in stockinette stitch pattern with US #8 knitting needles without blocking Size: M – about 20 – 21 inches in circumference and 8 inches in length without stretching (the width can be altered by increasing or decreasing ten stitches and the length can be changed by increasing or decreasing the number of rounds) Abbreviations: K: Knit P: Purl pm: place marker sm: slip marker BOR: beginning of round C4F: slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle and hold in front, K2 stitches on the circular needle then knit the 2 stitches on the cable needle. C4B: slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle and hold in back, K2 stitches on the circular needle then knit the 2 stitches on the cable needle. […]: stitch pattern repeats
The Winterland Neckwarmer Pattern (text and images for personal use only)
Cast on 120 stitches with US #9 knitting needles using the cable cast on method. Transfer all the stitches to US #7 16-inch circular needles. Place a BOR marker, join the round by knitting as follows:
Setup Round: [K4, P2, K2, P2, pm] repeat […] 10 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker
Rib Pattern Round: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 10 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker
Repeat Rib Pattern Round, eight more times. Change to US #8 circular needles to knit the cable stitch pattern:
Round 1: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 10 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker
Round 2: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 10 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker
Round 3: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 10 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker
Round 4: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 10 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker
Round 5: [C4B, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 10 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker
Round 6: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 10 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker
Round 7: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 10 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker
Round 8: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 10 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker
Round 9: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 10 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker
Repeat Rounds 1 to 18, one more time. Change to US #7 circular knitting needles Repeat Rib Pattern Round, seven times Bind off in pattern with a US #9 knitting needles removing markers. Weave in the ends and wash the Winterland Neckwarmer.
Although I had a slow start to the year in terms of my makes, there were a few projects besides the knit/crochet patterns published on this blog each month, I was able to complete.
I knitted these four sweaters;
Tried some different techniques weaving these blankets and wraps on the rigid heddle loom;
And also learnt how to crochet a market bag and a pouf.
I’m grateful I was able to complete these projects despite the slow start and look forward to completing all the unfinished projects next year.
Thank you readers of this blog for all your comments and feedback. Warm greetings this holiday season.
Where did 2022 go? I can’t believe this year is almost over. After a rough start to the year with illness due to covid (blogged here), I’ve been trying to catch up with all the goals I had for this year. Needless to say there will be some unfinished works in progress that will be completed in 2023. Knitting smaller projects such as hats and cowls are more enjoyable when other non-knitting things require our attention and time.
The Winterland Hat is knit bottom up and in the round. It has a simple cable stitch pattern and is a light and warm hat for this time of the year.
Yarn: Lion Brand Scarfie® yarn in the Cream/Silver colorway Knitting Needles: US #7 and US #8 16-inch circular needles; US #9 knitting needles for the cable cast on Tapestry needle to weave in ends Cable Needle Gauge: 4.5 stitches / 6 rows per inch in stockinette stitch pattern with US #8 knitting needles without blocking Size: Teen or Adult S (about 7.5 inches from earlobe to top of head and 17- 19 inches in circumference) Abbreviations: K: Knit P: Purl pm: place marker rm: remove marker sm: slip marker BOR: beginning of round C4F: slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle and hold in front, K2 stitches on the circular needle then knit the 2 stitches on the cable needle. C4B: slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle and hold in back, K2 stitches on the circular needle then knit the 2 stitches on the cable needle. C2F: slip 1 stitch onto the cable needle and hold in front, K1 stitch on the circular needle then knit the 1 stitch on the cable needle. C2B: slip 1 stitch onto the cable needle and hold in back, K1 stitch on the circular needle then knit the 1 stitch on the cable needle. K2tog: Knit the two stitches on the left needle together P2tog: Purl the two stitches on the left needle together […]: stitch pattern repeats
The Winterland Hat Pattern (text and images for personal use only)
Cast on 80 stitches with US #9 knitting needles using the cable cast on method. Transfer all the stitches to US #7 16-inch circular needles. Place a BOR marker, join the round by knitting as follows:
The brim of the hat: Setup Round: [K4, P2, K2, P2, pm] repeat […] 6 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 1: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Repeat Round 1, twelve more times or to preferred length.
The body of the hat: Change to US #8 16-inch circular needles and knit: Round 1: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 2: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 3: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 4: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 5: [C4B, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 6: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 7: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 8: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 9: [K4, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K4, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 10: [P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, slip BOR marker Round 11: [P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, slip BOR marker Round 12: [P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, slip BOR marker Round 13: [P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, slip BOR marker Round 14: [P1, K2, P2, C4F, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P1, K2, P2, C4F P1, slip BOR marker Round 15: [P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, slip BOR marker Round 16: [P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, slip BOR marker Round 17: [P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, slip BOR marker Round 18: [P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P1, K2, P2, K4, P1, slip BOR marker
The crown shaping of the hat: Round 1: [K1, K2tog, P2tog, P1, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K1, K2tog, P2tog, P1, K2, P2, slip BOR marker (64 stitches) Round 2: [K2, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K2, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 3: [K2, P2, K2, P2, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K2, P2, K2, P2, slip BOR marker Round 4: [C2B, P2tog, K2, P2tog, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, C2B, P2tog, K2, P2tog, slip BOR marker (48 stitches) Round 5: [K2, P1, K2, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K2, P1, K2, P1, slip BOR marker Round 6: [K2, P1, K2, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K2, P1, K2, P1, slip BOR marker Round 7: [K1, P2tog, K2, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K1, P2tog, K2, P1, slip BOR marker (40 stitches) Round 8: [K1, P1, K2, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, K1, P1, K2, P1, slip BOR marker Round 9: [P2tog, C2F, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P2tog, C2F, P1, slip BOR marker (32 stitches) Round 10: [P1, K2, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P1, K2, P1, slip BOR marker Round 11: [P1, K2, P1, sm] repeat […] 6 more times, P1, K2, P1, slip BOR marker Round 12: [K2tog, K2tog, rm] repeat […] 6 more times, K2tog, K2tog, slip BOR marker (16 stitches) Round 13: Knit all stitches till BOR marker, slip BOR marker Round 14 Knit all stitches till BOR marker, slip BOR marker Round 15: [K2tog] repeat […] till BOR marker, slip BOR marker (8 stitches) Round 16: Knit all stitches to BOR marker, remove BOR marker and break about 6 inches of yarn and thread it through a tapestry needle. Pass the tapestry needle with the working yarn through the 8 remaining stitches, pull tight and secure yarn. Weave in the ends, wash and block hat.
Coffee Tea Knits 