How to Weave Scarves

Selecting the fiber for your project is half the fun.

Weaving dates back at least six to seven thousand years, since the time when Scythian nomads were making pile rugs in and around Pazyrk. It is no wonder we are still fascinated with it today; weaving provides us with art we can display and art we can wear. If you are looking for a small wearable-art project that takes about a day to complete, consider weaving a scarf in a simple structure that emphasizes the color and texture of the fibers.

Things You'll Need

• Warping board
• Warp yarn (384 yards of sock yarn)
• Weft yarn (181 yards)
• Rigid heddle loom
• 12 dent reed
• Shuttle

Instructions

1. Measure a guide string (use a color that contrasts with your warp thread) that is 3 yards long. Put it on your warp board and use it to direct your yarn as you begin winding on your warp. You will need 128 ends that are 3 yards long.

2. Warp your loom starting from back to front. Singles variegated sock yarn (2,100 yd./lb.) is recommended, as it will retain the fiber's loft and easily endure both rigid heddles and heavy usage. Thread the heddles for a plain (or tabby) weave, which gives you a scarf that won't easily unravel.

3. Spread the warp before beginning to weave. You can either weave 5 to 8 shots of filler material or weave 3 shots of very fine thread without beating in between. Once 3 shots have been woven, beat them once. You may need to weave another 3 shots if the warp still needs to be evened out.

4. Load your shuttle with weft fiber and begin weaving the scarf in a plain weave. Hand painted mohair bouclé (960 yd./lb.) is recommended. Continue until you have 74 1/4 inches of fabric on your loom. Beat lightly after each pass with the shuttle.

5. Remove the scarf from the loom and finish it by taking up 4 warp threads at a time and working them into a twisted fringe.

6. Hand wash the scarf in warm water and mild soap. Press it into a towel to remove some of the water and then lay it flat to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• The 3 yard warp length allows for 9 inches of take-up and 22 inches of loom waste.

• After the scarf has been washed the finished size is 67 ½ inch by 9 ¼ inch with a 4 ¾ inch fringe on both ends.

• Although the sock yarn makes a durable warp, be careful not to wind it too tight.

References

• Held, Shirley E. (1973). Weaving, A Handbook for Fiber Craftsmen. New York, New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.
• Weaving Today: Free Projects June 2009 scarf