Hand-Loom Weaving Part 4

[Sidenote: _Patterns for Navajo blankets_]

Patterns for Navajo blankets are usually triangular. Draw on unlined paper and fasten under the warp as before.

[Sidenote: _To string a continuous warp for long strips_]

Rugs and similar articles may be made of any length by stringing a continuous warp. After the length has been decided upon, cut the warp strings _twice_ as long. Place the middle of one string around the first tooth of the foot piece (or two or three, according to the width of warp desired) and bring up the two ends firmly to the first tooth in the head piece. Knot securely and let the long ends extend beyond the head piece.

If desired they can be wound on spools, or around the tops of the rods, to prevent tangling. Continue until all the warp is strung. Observe the instructions given before for stringing warp strings in pairs. It is not necessary to weave the loom full each time, as the last inch is very slow work, but when the weaving is near the head piece draw out the rods, lift it from the notches, pa.s.s it down to the foot piece so that the part which was at the head is now at the foot, untie the knots so that the work will lie close to the foot piece and knot the warp strings as before at the head piece. This can be done as many times as desired.

[Sidenote: _Methods of fastening long strips together_]

For afghans, slumber robes, couch covers, etc., crochet with plain st.i.tch or baste on oil-cloth and weave together with tape needle, making it as nearly like the original weaving as possible. By studying Turkish rugs and curtains one can learn how to put strips together with a fancy st.i.tch somewhat like our feather st.i.tch.

Strips for floor rugs should be basted on oil-cloth and the warp strings in the two edges caught together at intervals, running the connecting thread _through_ the loops so as to be invisible. Finish the outside edges by st.i.tching on a tape of the same color, by machine.

[Sidenote: _Table covers, afghans, slumber robes, or large rugs_]

By making several of these long strips and fastening them together one can have a table cover, afghan, slumber robe, or a large rug.

[Sidenote: _Floor rugs_]

The floor rug shown in the ill.u.s.tration on page 100 (1-1/4 yards by 3/4 yard) is woven in strips with a continuous warp. The center strip is one yard long and nine inches wide. It is made of deep cardinal carpet wool. The strips of black, nine inches wide at the sides and ends, terminate diagonally, as seen in the ill.u.s.tration. The black diagonal lines show where the weaving ends. The warp is then tied and cut close to the weaving. The strips are to be sewn or crocheted together.

[Sidenote: _Fine weaving_]

[Sidenote: _To produce a design with the woof_]

For very fine weaving, where it is necessary for the warp threads to _touch_ each other in order to produce a design with the woof, string a _double_ warp in every notch with the same material. Then, with a tape needle, separate the warp threads, twist one over the other so that all will lie side by side, and secure them by weaving a few times across the loom. By using this method, one can have a close warp on the wooden looms.

[Sidenote: _Warp for doll towels_]

In stringing warp in pairs for doll towels, have two strings on each bar and one extending one notch beyond at each side. This makes a good fringe for the edges of the towel.

Chapter Five

MATERIALS

[Sidenote: _Silkoline_]

Plain and figured silkoline should be cut in bias strips one-half inch wide. Stretch and pull through the hands until both edges are raveled.

When these strips are woven, the rug or mat will be reversible. Figured silkolines give a pretty mottled effect, especially those in which Turkish colors predominate. Rugs having plain centers and mottled borders are beautiful. A full-sized rug requires nearly two yards of material.

[Sidenote: _Cheese cloth_]

Strips of cheese cloth can be prepared in the same way. Cut them three-fourths inch wide on account of the tendency to ravel. Serviceable face and dish cloths can be made of white cheese cloth. Some of the colored cheese cloths make pretty rugs. When a desirable color cannot be found, the white cloth can be dyed at home.

[Sidenote: _Dress linings_]

Soft dress linings come in many beautiful colors. Old pieces may be utilized by cleaning and dyeing. The pieces are cut in bias strips, one-half inch in width.

[Sidenote: _Silk_]

Pieces of old silk can also be prepared in this way. One can often obtain new pieces at dressmaking establishments.

[Sidenote: _Candle-wicking_]

Table mats, wash cloths, and similar articles can be made from candle-wicking. For lamp mats, cushion covers, and other articles the material may be dyed and woven in two colors, or in two tones of one color. A number of squares can be joined to make a hammock pillow. By stringing a close warp with white or colored wicking and weaving over and under one string with the same material, a coa.r.s.e canvas can be made, upon which the children can cross-st.i.tch a pretty border and center piece, or an all-over pattern by copying the kindergarten designs, or even initials and monograms. Most of the canvas sold at the stores, even the old Java canvas of our childhood days, is too fine for little children to work upon. In canvas made of candle-wicking by the child himself, the squares are large, and to this there is the added pleasure of the child being able to say when the work is finished, "I did it all myself."

[Sidenote: _Rope silk, or ropetine_]

Beautiful silk canvas can be made of rope silk and cross-st.i.tched with another color or tone, or with chenille, making a velvet figure. This material is, of course, more expensive. Two colors or two tones may be woven with chenille and silk in a kindergarten design. Beautiful holiday and birthday gifts can be made from these materials, such as mats, cushion covers, and sachet cases. Glove, mouchoir, necktie, fan, and trinket boxes can be made by weaving the top, bottom, and sides in panels. Foundation boxes, which may be purchased for a few cents, are excellent for this purpose, or they can be made very well at home from three-ply cardboard. Make the hinges of ribbon and line the boxes with silk of a corresponding or contrasting color.

[Sidenote: _Carpet ravelings_]

Carpet ravelings may be obtained from the carpet stores, or pieces of carpet can be raveled by the children. Let them have the pleasure and benefit which come from sorting the ravelings. It is an excellent lesson in color, besides developing the patience, concentration, discrimination, and judgment so much to be desired in other work. After the wool is sorted--not before, because it is not all fast color--dip in water, wring, and let the children straighten it gently, one piece at a time. This will make it as smooth and soft as new wool. Procure some small boxes--shoe boxes are a good size--place one color in a box with a sample fastened outside at one end, and pile them upon a low shelf or window sill. Train the children to go to the "play store" to match their own wool. If they go quietly, one at a time, no one is disturbed and each child gains in knowledge of color as well as in independence. A little management of this kind helps the teacher as well as the child.

[Sidenote: _Carpet wools_]

New wools of various kinds and beautiful colors can be bought in large quant.i.ties from dealers in materials for industrial work. In some carpet departments you will find oriental wools which are used to mend rugs, and a small quant.i.ty can be bought. Some of the kindergarten supply stores and decoration companies have already advertised a stock of these materials.

[Sidenote: _Double Germantown wool_]

[Sidenote: _Germantown knitting yarn_]

An ideal material for little folks is double Germantown wool. The soft wool, used for both warp and woof, is excellent for weaving kindergarten designs. This should be done with a close warp, which may be extended each side of the head and foot piece as a fringe. By extending the warp any length desired beyond the head piece, long strips for slumber robes, afghans, and such articles can be woven. The warp may be strung with twine as near the color of the wool as possible, and a plain rug be made, with colored stripes at each end. A very pretty and easy gift for a little child to make is a holder for the teapot, as described on page 92. The Germantown knitting yarn, which is more tightly twisted, makes very pretty rugs and mats. It is sometimes used for Navajo blankets.

[Sidenote: _Darning cotton_]

White dolls'-towels, with red or blue stripes, are made of darning cotton. Baste a small piece of canvas at one end and cross-st.i.tch Miss Dolly's initial.

[Sidenote: _Knitting cotton_]

Plain white bedspreads, or white combined with a color in a kindergarten design, can be made of knitting cotton which is a little coa.r.s.er than darning cotton. Knot a fringe on all sides. Lunch cloths and table covers for Miss Dolly can be made in the same way.

[Sidenote: _Macreme cord_]

Macreme cord is the best material for hammocks. It comes in many beautiful colors, at a few cents a ball.

[Sidenote: _Leather strips_]

To weave a kindergarten design in two colors of leather strips, have the leather cut the desired width, and fasten them to a piece of strong muslin at the top and bottom of the mat or panel. Fit the muslin over the teeth in head and foot pieces by cutting a small opening.

[Sidenote: _Celluloid strips_]

[Sidenote: _Leather strips_]