FAQs - Frequently asked questions about all things weaving
Question Index
How do you wear and style a designer wool scarf?
Does merino lambswool make a nice scarf?
Which is best for a gift, a scarf or snood?
Are each of your handwoven scarves and snoods unique?
Do you run weaving workshops?
How are your handweaves packaged?
How long does it take to weave a scarf?
Do you take commission weaving projects?
How do you go about weaving a scarf, shawl or snood?
How do you finish the end of a handwoven scarf?
How do you wear and style a designer wool scarf?
There are lots of ways to wear and style a scarf. The style depends to a degree on the length and shape of the scarf along with the occasion that the scarf is being worn,. A scarf can be draped across the shoulders, wrapped around the neck once, or worn as a shawl. For more details and design ideas you can read the blog on this topic with images of different styles.
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Does merino lambswool make a nice scarf?
Merino lambswool makes a beautiful scarf. Merino lambswool is gentler on the skin than regular wool making it soft, comfortable and easy to wear. It is ideal for cooler weather being both warm and breathable and its fine slightly lustrous finish gives it an elegant yet refined loom. Merino lambswool holds it shape well and creates a scarf which is cosy and stylish.​
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Click here to explore handwoven designer merino lambswool scarves.
Which is best for a gift, a scarf or snood?
​Both a handwoven scarf or snood make beautiful luxury gifts. Collections are woven in merino wool or cotton. Whether you are treating a loved one or choosing a self-gift each has its own charm. Scarves need a little styling but snoods are easy to just pop on providing instant warmth. A scarf provides greater warmth as it can be draped across the shoulders so a snood is perhaps better for an accessory which could be worn both indoors and outdoors. For more discussion on the comparison between scarves and snoods, you might be interested in a blog article which details this topic. Click here to read scarf and snood blog.
Are each of your handwoven scarves and snoods unique?
​Each scarf or snood is woven by Emma in Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Most are woven on her Louet floor loom which has 8 shafts. Emma weaves collections which usually consist of 3 snoods and 2 or 3 scarves with subtle variations in colours or patterning within that collection. As such most items are totally unique. On occasions, Emma hand spins her own yarn which is then most often woven on a smaller rigid heddle weaving loom.
Do you run weaving workshops?
​As part of TabbyandTweed Emma runs weaving workshops with Gillian Siggers. TabbyandTweed is also a small business which design and make small weaving loom kits. TabbyandTweed run a variety of small loom weaving workshops and also full day scarf weaving workshops. You can find more information on workshops on the workshop page.
How are your handweaves packaged?
Handwoven scarves, snoods, shawls and tableware are packaged in a beautiful gold embossed branded box lined with tissue paper although some snoods are now available at a more economical price without a gift box. Smaller items are packaged in tissue paper. All items are dispatched with an information sheet on the weaver Emma Baker so that gift recipients are given some information highlighting the handcrafted nature and uniqueness of their gift.​
How long does it take to weave a scarf?
This questions is difficult to answer as it depends on a variety of factors including the thickness of the yarn used and the length of warp. Emma often weaves deflected doubleweave designs using fine 2/17nm lambswool. For a standard width scarf of 30cm around 270 warp threads need to measured with each warp thread then threaded through a heddle and the reed. Emma usually weaves a warp length of around 10m which creates around 3 scarves and 3 snoods. The process of dressing the loom with this yarn takes a full day. To then weave a full length scarf is a further 5-6 hours of weaving with additional time then needed to wash and finish the fabric. So, the time to weave one scarf as part of a small batch collection (where the set up time has been spread over a few items) takes around 8 -9 hours. You may be interested in the blog how long it takes to weave a scarf which can be read by clicking here.
Do you take commission weaving projects?
On occasions, Emma undertakes particular commission projects. Do get in touch if you have a particular project in mind. You may be interested in reading the blog 'Designing and creating a stunning set of green handwoven cushions as part of an exciting commission'
How do you go about weaving a scarf, shawl or snood?
The process of setting up the floor loom and then weaving an accessory is complex. There are a number of steps which start with designing the weaving project. Once the design has been chosen the warp needs to be measured and the floor loom dressed before weaving can begin. It may take 1-2 days of set up before the weaving (throwing the shuttle can begin). If you would like to find our more about the steps to weaving then you might be interested in reading this blog: 16 steps to weaving on a floor loom.
How do you finish the ends of a handwoven scarf?
How I finish a handwoven scarf depends on the yarn used. For merino lambswool scarves I will quite often cut a small fringe after washing. Because the merino felts when finished it creates a neat fringe which doesn't unweave. On occasions I will use a hemstitch to secure the warp threads and you can read about the hemstitching process in one of my blogs: 8 steps to creating a beautiful hemstitch.