Clasped-Weft Shawl Weaving Pattern

This striking shawl from the Spring 2016 issue of Spin Off features the clasped-weft technique, which is an easy way to achieve an attractive tapestry-like pattern using a single shuttle and two weft colors. Although Bobbie chose to use four shafts, this project requires only two shafts and is appropriate for a rigid-heddle loom.

Shawl

• FIBER: Warp: 7 oz black Icelandic lambswool carded roving. Weft: 20% silk/80% Merino combed top: Mango (4¼ oz) and Pomegranate (3¾ oz).
• YARN: Warp: Handspun lambswool 2-ply, 504 yd spun, 432 yd used; 992 ypp; 12 wpi. Weft: Handspun silk/Merino 3-ply, Pomegranate (A), 268 yd spun, 238 yd used; 1,175 ypp; 13 wpi. Mango (B), 407 yd spun, 238 yd used; 1,550 ypp; 14 wpi.

Weaving

• Structure: Half basketweave (doubled weft).
• Equipment: 2- or 4-shaft loom or rigid-heddle loom, 18" weaving width; 8- or 12-dent reed or 8-dent rigid heddle; 1 shuttle; tapestry needle for hemstitching.
• Setts Warp: 8 epi (1 per slot and hole in an 8-dent rigid heddle, 1 per dent in an 8-dent reed, or 0-1-1 in a 12-dent reed). Weft: 6 doubled ppi.
• Warp Length: 3 yd (allows 6" for take-up, 30" for loom waste; loom waste includes fringe).
• Total Warp Ends: 144.
• Dimensions: Width in heddle/reed: 18". Woven length (measured under tension on the loom): 72". Finished size after washing: 14½" × 68½" plus 8" fringe at each end.

Author/Designer: Bobbie Irwin