Amazing Colorways Fingertip Towels

 Are you ready for a funtastic weaving adventure? 

Get ready to be wowed as we explore color and weave at its finest!

Amazing Colorways Fingertip Towels in Black Cloud

We will start with a striped warp and then take off from there by weaving four different towels on this one warp.  There are so many color possibilities!

From this one warp you can achieve so many different patterns that have a resemblance to each other but are also quite unique.  By using colors in different weft sequences, you can create many different color-and-weave effects.  

This month's project is designed for beginners but will still be exciting for the most advanced weaver.  The weave structure is plain weave, so you will only need a few shuttles and a 10-dent reed.  The pattern allows for 15" weaving width but can easily be adjusted for wider widths.  

Amazing Colorway Fingertip Towels in Cocoa

Let's Get Started!

• Gather your supplies ~ We've supplied a pattern in this blog but you can also download this pattern as a PDF in our Cotton Clouds Rigid Heddle Weaving Facebook Group.  Just click on Files at the top of the group page and you will be able to retrieve your PDF pattern to print.

• We are offering this project as a kit to make gathering your supplies easy.  Our "Amazing Colorways Fingertip Towels" are available in three color options, Cocoa, Azure and Black Clouds.  Our kits come with all the yarns needed and the yarns are wound on two cones to make winding your shuttles double strand a snap. Use code CHALLENGE for free shipping on your kit!

• We've chosen our Aurora Earth 8/2 Cottons for this project.  You will need two colors that will be used for warp.  These two warp colors will also be used in the weft along with two additional colors.  You will need four colors in total.  We suggest using 8/2 cottons doubled in the slots and holes.

• Join our Cotton Clouds Rigid Heddle Weaving Group on Facebook so that you can download the PDF pattern and join the fun!  We encourage you to share your questions, pictures and accomplishments. 

• One weaver will be selected to win a $25 gift card from our March Weaving Challenge!  To be eligible for the March Weaving Challenge, just post photos of your weaving project on our Cotton Clouds Rigid Heddle Weaving Group on Facebook. We can't wait to see all the color possibilities!

• Let's get our looms warped and weave together!  I'm here for you every step of the way!  

 "Amazing Colorways Fingertip Towels"

Weave Structure:  plain weave
Equipment needed:  Rigid Heddle Loom (2-shaft); 14.8” weaving width; 10 dent reed; 5 shuttles.
Note: This project can also be woven on a wider width by adding more repeats to the warp order.
Yarns: Aurora Earth 8/2 unmercerized 100% cotton: Color A 1200 yds, Color B 730 yds, Color C 140 yds, Color D 100 yds.
Total warp ends: 100 Color A, 49 Color B for a total of 149 ends (298 actual threads when using 8/2 cottons doubled)
Setts: 10 epi (doubled in slots and holes); 10 ppi (double strand)
Warp Length:  3.75 yds (135”)
Other supplies: matching sewing thread for hemming
Finished Dimensions: four towels 12 ¼” x 20 ½” each
Available as a kit from Cotton Clouds, Inc.

Warping the Loom
Set up your loom to direct warp a length of 3.75 yds (135”).  Sley two threads in each slot and hole following the warp order chart. With most of my patterns I suggest warping only in the slots, but with this specific warp order I suggest warping directly in both slots and holes. 

Warp Order:
Warp each slot and hole with two threads 8/2 cotton. 

The warp order will be as follows:
Color A, slot and hole. (four threads)
Color B, slot. (two threads)
Color A, hole and slot. (four threads)
Color B, hole. (two threads)

Continue warping in this order 49 times, and then end with four threads Color A in the last slot and hole.

You can weave these towels on any size loom by increasing or decreasing the repeats. 

Once you have all threads warped tie the yarns in small sections onto the front beam and tighten your warp. 

Preparing the Shuttles
Wind one shuttle with double strand Color A,
second shuttle with double strand Color B,
third shuttle with double strand Color C, 
fourth shuttle with double strand Color D. 
Wind a 5th shuttle with single strand of any color for hems. (approximately 15 yds per hem)

Weaving
Weave with scrap yarn to spread the warp evenly. 

Towel #1
Using the shuttle with single strand, weave 1½” for hem. 
Weave 1 pick Color A, then 1 pick Color B.  You will be alternating these two shuttles for 22” or the entire length of your towel.
Finish with 1½” single strand for hem. 
Separate the towels with a few rows of scrap yarn then start next towel. 

Towel #2
Using the shuttle with single strand, weave 1½” for hem. 
Weave 2 picks Color A, then 1 pick Color B for 22” or the entire length of your towel.
Finish with 1½” single strand for hem. 
Separate the towels with a few rows of scrap yarn then start next towel. 

Towel #3
Using the shuttle with single strand, weave 1½” for hem.
Weave 1 pick Color B, then 1 pick Color C for 22” or the entire length of your towel.
Finish with 1½” single strand for hem. 
Separate the towels with a few rows of scrap yarn then start next towel. 

Towel #4
Using the shuttle with single strand, weave 1½” for hem.
Weave 2 picks Color A, then 1 pick Color D for 22” or the entire length of your towel.
Finish with 1½” single strand for hem. 

When you have finished weaving all four towels, weave a few rows with scrap yarn before cutting yarns off loom.

Finishing and Hemming
Remove the towels from the loom and sew a straight stitch across each end with sewing thread before cutting apart.  Using a hot iron, fold each hem over twice to get a nice flat edge.  Sew a straight stitch across securing each hem.  Machine wash in cool water and dry on normal in machine dryer.  Press with a warm iron if needed.  Towels will relax with more washes.

Enjoy or Gift Your Towels!
I hope you enjoy weaving these "Amazing Colorways Fingertip Towels".  I encourage you to weave some in your favorite colors. There are endless color possibilities to explore!

Penny likes Towel #3 best!

Happy Weaving!

Jodi Ybarra