Learn to waffle weave tea towels on a Rigid Heddle Loom

Waffle weave is usually woven on four or more shafts but you can make these smart and useful towels on your rigid heddle loom with Ashford Yoga Yarn. This yarn is so easy to weave – the best of both worlds – the strength and elasticity of nylon and the natural comfort and beauty of cotton! A great gift idea!

Size: Makes 3 towels measuring 42 x 68cm (16½ x 27ins)
Weave structure: Waffle weave

You will need:

Rigid Heddle Loom: 60cm or wider rigid heddle with second heddle
Reed: 2 x 60/10cm (2 x 12.5dpi)
Warp yarn: Ashford Yoga yarn #42 Honeysuckle 100gm, #54 Freesia 100gm
Weft yarn: Ashford Yoga yarn #42 Honeysuckle 100gm, #54 Freesia 100gm
Weaving Shuttles
Other: Waste yarn for header and ties, sewing machine and thread to match your towels

Here’s how:
Total warp ends: 454 (yarn is used doubled throughout)
Total warp length: 2.85m (3yds)
Width in reed: 45.5cm (18ins)

Warping your tea towel on your rigid heddle loom

The Good Yarn Waffle weave tea towels on a Rigid Heddle Loom Ashford

Using the direct warping method, warp the back reed first working from the right to left. This first loop in a slot, will be one of the floating selvedges. Continue warping following the diagram carefully. The yarn will be doubled through the slots and eyes. The pattern is a 10 double thread repeat. Click here to download printable PDF draft.
Finish with the final doubled warp thread loop through a slot to make the other floating selvedge.
Wind on your warp, placing cardboard warp sticks at regular intervals.
Place the front reed in the neutral position, starting from the right, pull the first loop through the slot directly in front (floating selvedge). Follow the diagram for the rest of the front reed threading.

Hint: After every repeat of 10 warp loops, hook a loop of waste yarn around the finished group when you are sure it is perfect. This makes it easier to count back and check your threading later.
Tie onto the front warp stick, either directly or leash on.

Weaving your tea towel

The Good Yarn Tea Towel Weaving Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom

It is important to use a selvedge because the pattern sometimes requires you to weave two picks in the same shed. When weaving always go over the selvedge thread as you take the shuttle into the shed and come out under the selvedge thread on the other side.

For headers at each end of the warp, use the following sequence using waste yarn:
Back reed up, weave one row, return to neutral and beat with the front reed
Back reed down, weave, return to neutral and beat with the front reed
For each towel weave 75cm (29½ins) in Yoga yarn doubled. Use two ends of the same or different coloured yarns, changing colours for stripes as desired.

Follow this sequence for the waffle weave:

Back reed down, weave, return to neutral and beat with the front reed
Front reed down, weave, return to neutral and beat with the front reed
Front reed down, weave, return to neutral and beat with the front reed
Back reed down, weave, return to neutral and beat with the front reed
Back reed up, weave, return to neutral and beat with the front reed
Both reeds down, weave, return to neutral and beat with the front reed
Both reeds down, weave, return to neutral and beat with the front reed
Back reed up, weave, return to neutral and beat with the front reed
There is no need to leave a gap between towels, just continue weaving.

Finishing your tea towel weaving

Remove your weaving from the loom.
Secure the ends of each towel by sewing a narrow zigzag stitch along each edge to be cut.
Cut each towel off close to the stitching.
Fold each end over 6mm (¼in) then 12.5mm (½in) to form a hem then edge stitch in place.
Finish with a warm wash then trim any loose threads close to the fabric surface.

Learn more about cotton weights here

Learn more about yarn weights here

Learn more about the Art of Weaving Here

You can find everything you need to get started by clicking right here or find more great blogs by clicking here

Blog post proudly supplied by Ashford Wheels & Looms.