Keeping things simple is difficult for me. I usually have to print out threading and treadling sequences of a weaving project, as the sequences are simply to long to know by heart. The set of kitchen towels I recently made was an exception to this custom. Just a straight twill threading and a very easy threadling sequence. No cheat sheets, just unencumbered weaving.

In my three-part blog series for Handwoven, I explain how I approach designing and weaving for publication. This made me reminisce about creating my first weaving pattern.

Last year, I became a member of the Dutch Weaving Association Weefnetwerk. To my surprise, they sent me a lovely gift by by mail sometime in November 2020. To make up for the lack of physical activities, each member received a colourful set of weaving cotton. This was such a nice surprise - the perfect present for every hand weaver.

One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2020 was to use less single-use products. I intend to extend this resolution into 2021. To reduce my use of paper handkerchiefs, I bought some good old-fashioned cotton ones. However, I was only able to find them in traditional checks pattern in muted colorways. This inspired me to design some handkerchiefs myself, using a checks pattern in a more modern and playful way. I took this project as an opportunity to experiment with colors and patterns in shadow weave.

When experimenting with new yarn, you have no guarantee that the end-result will meet your expectations. Sometimes you need a little outside encouragement to try something you doubt will work, only to find out that the end-result is far better than you could ever expect.