How to Weave Neck Socks

You can weave a comfortable neck sock, or gaiter, on your loom.

On a cold, windy winter day, having something warm around your neck can really boost your comfort level. Scarves are fine, but a neck sock, or neck gaiter, is a more versatile accessory that can also function as a headband and ear warmer or even a hat. You can make a cozy one for yourself on your loom out of machine-washable merino sock yarn. Put a long warp on, and make one to match all your outfits, as well as some for friends and family.

Things You'll Need

• Loom
• Superwash merino sock yarn
• Warping board
• Shuttle

Instructions

Planning the Neck Sock and Winding the Warp

1. Wrap your sock yarn around a ruler and count the number of wraps per inch. It will probably be between 19 and 22. Divide this number by two if your weave structure is plain weave. This will be your sett, or warp ends per inch.

2. Measure the length of your hand; 150 percent of this measurement is the width of your neck gaiter. This way it can also be used as a hat. Add 5 percent for take-up.

3. Measure the circumference of your head. This will be the length of your neck gaiter. Add 1 inch for seams, and another 5 percent for take-up.

4. Multiply the width of your neck gaiter by the number of ends per inch. This is the number of ends you need to wind. Wind a warp of this many ends, at least 3 yards long. This will be enough for several neck socks, so that you can give some as gifts.

5. Make a figure-eight cross at one end of the warp. Tie the ends of the warp off, and tie the warp off at 1-yard intervals. Take the warp to the loom.

Putting the Warp On and Weaving the Neck Sock

1. Pre-sley the reed by pulling four ends through every fourth dent of the reed. Wind the warp onto the back beam. Thread the loom to a straight twill or some other twill variation.

2. Sley the reed at the desired twill sett. Tie in the front of the warp to the front apron rod. Tighten the warp.

3. Wind a rag shuttle with some rag strips. Weave a few inches of rag weft until the warp comes together. Wind a bobbin with the weft yarn. This can be a different color or the same color as the warp.

4. Weave the first neck sock for the desired length (the circumference of your head plus the 1-inch for seams, plus 5 percent). Weave another few inches of rag weft to separate the first neck sock from the second one. You can weave each neck sock a little differently, with different colored wefts and treadlings.

5. Cut the warp behind the heddles when the apron rod comes up over the back beam. Pull the cloth off the cloth beam in front and cut it free. Take the piece to the sewing machine and zigzag the fell (the weft edge at both ends).

6. Cut the pieces apart. Sew the ends (the cut edge that is zigzagged) together using a 1/2-inch seam.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wish to wear the neck sock as a hat sometimes, turn under the top edge and stitch it down, leaving an opening to insert a drawstring. When the drawstring is pulled up, your neck sock is a hat.

References

• "Handwoven"; And the Winner Is; Editors of Handwoven; May/June 2010