Creating a Ocean blue inspired collection of handwoven scarves, snoods and a table runner

This blog post outlines a project weaving with cotton yarn to create a small collection of ocean sea blue handwoven scarves, snoods and a table runner. Inspired by ocean colours the yarn used a range of blue shades including navy, electric blue, turquoise, teal, sky blue and pale blue reflecting the beauty of the ocean waves.

Choosing the yarn to weave handwoven scarves, snoods a table runner inspired by the ocean

I weave predominantly with natural fibres, be it merino lambswool, bamboo, Tencel, silk or cotton. Whilst my merino lambswool scarves and snoods are common favourites there are some people who would prefer the feel of cotton against their skin. I started this project with the aim of producing a range of cotton accessories. The first step was the purchasing choice of some DK cotton yarn in a wide range of blue colours. I have woven with this yarn before and knew that it would weave nicely to create beautifully soft and cosy fabric which would be perfect for the collection of scarves and snoods. I also thought that it would be perfect for weaving a double weave table runner.

The selected colours—deep blue, vibrant turquoise, and soft sky blue—are reminiscent of the ocean. Blue accessories are often popular, perhaps because they co-ordinate with navy and denim which are often worn daily. Cotton's properties ensured that the finished pieces would be breathable and durable, making them suitable for any season.

Designing the double weave table runner

I decided to weave the table runner first and a 10m warp was measured and put onto the loom. In order to do the double weaving technique I warped the loom at a sett of 20 epi so that each layer would have a sett of 10epi. I chose to weave a windowpane design with 6 different colour windows. It was planned that each window would be 12 warp threads with a surround of 6 warp threads on each side. The total number of warp threads was 240 (120 on each layer) to give a weaving width of 12 inches in the reed.

The image below shows some steps involved in the dressing the loom.

Warping the loom with the warp threads going through the raddle on the castle

Threading the heddles

The warp being tied to the front beam

Weaving of the double weave cotton table runner

Double weave is an excellent design for a table runner; it creates two layers of fabric that can be woven in contrasting or complementary colours giving the fabric a firm drape and thickness which is ideal as a table decoration. I chose to have a background in the darker blue shades with the window panes being the lighter shades of blue although this colour wat was reversed on the underside of the fabric. The image below shows the weaving of the table runner on the floor loom.

After weaving a table runner length I took the fabric off the loom, finished the fabric and created the table runner as shown below. I was happy with the table runner but after having made this one I decided that I would prefer to weave some scarves and snoods with the remaining warp. I was very happy with this table runner and was delighted when the following weekend it was sold at a local event.

Weaving the handmade handwoven scarves and snoods

In order to change to weave scarves I needed to re-thread the heddles and then the reed. I chose to rethread the heddles with a straight 8 design which allowed for a twill design and a large range of other nice designs. Rethreading the reed at 10 epi was needed as I was no longer weaving a double weave fabric.

I decided to start by weaving a twill design using a range of blue colours in the weft.

The first scarf length was removed from the loom and finished. I like to finish a small length of woven fabric when weaving a long warp because it enables me to make sure that I have chosen the correct sett. If at this stage adjustments need to be made then they can easily be done ensuring that the remaining warp is woven correctly. The result is shown below, a beautiful scarf which demonstrated to me that no further adjustments were needed to the sett for the remainder of the warp.

The remaining warp was then woven using both twill and straight 8 designs to create three scarves and 3 snoods - each accessory being unique, cosy and soft.

A trio of ocean inspired handwoven scarves

The three scarves were woven as shown below. Each of these scarves was woven using the same warp. The first scarf used a twill design with a range of weft colours and the middle scarf was woven with a zig zag straight 8 design with just a teal blue weft. The final scarf was a combination of both.

Two of the handwoven snoods are shown below along with the gift box that they are sold in.

a patterned teal and navy twill snood scarf

If you are looking to get someone a handwoven accessory and aren't sure whether to purchase a scarf or snood then my blog outlining the advantages and disadvantage of each might be a useful starting point: click here to read the handwoven scarf or snood blog.

Two of the scarves and the snoods in this collection are now available in my online shop.

If you are interested in knowing what is on the loom, off the loom and workshop dates then do sign up to receive my weaving news emails by clicking here.

If you are looking for a unique luxury handwoven scarf or perhaps a handwoven table runner then do visit my website shop by clicking here.