Woodland Profiles

Describing the split shed process takes a lot of words, but weaving it is pretty simple. See the project’s Resources for a video.

About this Project

Split-shed weaving allows a weaver to create imagery using a middle layer of warps that “splits” the common shed into two mini-sheds. Following a cartoon drawing suspended under the warp, the weaver uses a flat shuttle to navigate within those mini-sheds, picking up ends above or below the middle layer to produce an image. The weft will show when the shuttle travels across the upper mini-shed, and it will be hidden when the shuttle moves to the lower mini-shed.

Instructions are included for a unique cartoon setup that can be used for other types of pickup.

Contents

• Project Instructions PDF (including full-size cartoons)
• Wall Hanging WIF

Details

Structure
Summer and winter.

Equipment
4-shaft loom, 12" weaving width; 8-dent reed; 1 stick or shed-stick shuttle; 1 boat shuttle or 1 additional stick shuttle.

Yarns
Warp: 8/4 cotton carpet warp (100% cotton; 1,600 yd/lb; Maysville), Limestone, 182 yd; Colonial Blue, 176 yd.
Tabby weft: 8/4 cotton carpet warp, Limestone, 140 yd.
Pattern weft: Ombré Wool Worsted (100% wool; 127 yd/75 g; Freia), Mardi Gras, 127 yd put-up. Note: To substitute a different pattern weft yarn, you’ll need about 55 yd per woven piece.

Dimensions
Width in the reed: 11¹⁄₈".
Woven length: (measured under tension on the loom) 30".
Finished size: (after steaming and hemming) two pieces, 10" × 10½" each.

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Photos by Matt Graves

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Visit our help article for more information on WIFs, including what they are and how to use them.