Kodiak Colors Throw

For your version, use a palette of colors from your local landscape or change the stripe sizes.

About this Project

The summer colors on Kodiak Island are striking. The ocean is always sea green, with shades that shift lighter and darker depending on the weather. The island itself is made of slate, so charcoal cliffs are a predominant feature wherever you travel. Sitka spruce trees stretch up into the azure of the sky, while bright magenta wildflowers cover the mountains and fields. Years ago, designer Laurie Murdock felt moved to weave these colors into a blanket to remember their beauty—and keep the chill off during cold winter nights. Color-savvy friends helped her come up with a beautiful palette inspired by the local landscape. She has woven many versions of this throw for family members, friends, and fundraisers, changing up the stripe widths as she weaves, but she always use the same yarn—and the throws all stand up to use, just getting softer over time.

Contents

• Project Instructions PDF

Details

Structure
Plain weave.

Equipment
2-shaft loom, 45" weaving width; 10-dent reed; 1 shuttle; 5 bobbins.

Yarns
Warp: Highland (100% wool; 900 yd/lb; Harrisville Designs), #30 Azure and #12 Seagreen, 263 yd each; #10 Spruce, #23 Magenta, and #49 Charcoal, 350 yd each.
Weft: Highland, #30 Azure and #12 Seagreen, 280 yd each; #10 Spruce, #23 Magenta, and #49 Charcoal, 275 yd each. Lengths of each color depend on the width of your stripes.

Dimensions
Width in the reed: 45".
Woven length: (measured under tension on the loom) 100".
Finished size: (after wet-finishing) 36" × 79" plus 3" fringe.

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