October 2023 Weave Along

(The October 2023 Weave Along is over and boy, did we have a great time! Feel free to peruse our fabulous Gallery Show to see all the wonderful shadow weave projects!)

(Below is the Weave Along Central page where the entire program is laid out.)

The October 2023 Weave Along is here! Are you ready for a month-long weaving adventure?

Here are the 2 guidelines for the 2023 October Weave Along (OWAL) –

1. All participants will start and finish a weaving project in the month of October, and
2. We’ll all use the same pattern – Shadow Weave!

And this October, we’re doing something really special!

10% of the sales of the October Weave Along Instructions (all of them are included) and the Cotton Clouds kit in pink/brown will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! If you would like to see more about this important organization and make your own donation, just click here. 

October Weave Along Group

To help us stay on track and connect with each other throughout the process, I’ve set up a Facebook group specifically for us! The group will be a safe space for us to show our work, ask questions, support each other, and find inspiration. The doors are open! Click here to join, or search under “OWAL2023” in the Facebook Groups.

October Weave Along Pattern

One of our 2 guidelines for the month is that we’ll do the same pattern, which is shadow weave. This fascinating pattern is typically a variation on twill or overshot. Click here to see the episode of A Handwoven Experience with a great overview of shadow weave!

October Weave Along Project

There are no restrictions on what you can do for the October Weave Along. The sky is the limit! Just make sure it includes shadow weave and is something you can complete in one month. Otherwise, go crazy!! Anything is fair game. There will be no weaving police watching you. So, go to town, my friend!

October Weave Along Project Kit Materials

However, if the prospect of designing a project feels completely overwhelming, no worries! I’ve created an Acton Creative October Weave Along Kit that is available to you! My project is a set of 2 towels in pinks and browns, perfect for a cherished spot in your kitchen or bathroom.

My fabulous friends at Cotton Clouds will be providing the yarn for the kit! (Thank you, Jodi!) The kit is $39.95 and in it, you’ll receive 4 tubes of 8/2 cotton – 2 pinks, and 2 browns.

Just click here to order your kit materials today.

October Weave Along Project Kit Instructions

Please note that the project instructions are sold separately from the yarn. This will allow you to easily insert your own yarn, but not worry about making up your own project! And this year, we’re adding to the experience by offering not only instructions for your multi-shaft loom, but also instructions for your rigid heddle loom!

The amazing Michele Marshall took the official Acton Creative project and translated it for the rigid heddle loom! She has provided us with a set of clear, concise instructions, perfect for the weaver who would prefer to work on the rigid heddle.

So, this is the best kind of choose-your-own-adventure! Select which loom you want to work on, and then click on the link to order your instructions.

4-Shaft (Multi-shaft) Loom

OWAL 4-Shaft Instructions Only: You’ll receive a thorough, downloadable .pdf that will include all your dimensions/numbers, the pattern with how to weave the project, and details about how to finish it. (The kit does not include details on how to dress your loom. It is tailored to this project, only.) Just a reminder that the instructions are for a 4-shaft loom. Click here to get your 4-shaft instructions for $15!

OR,

OWAL 4-Shaft Instruction PLUS Bonus Tips: You’ll receive the .pdf and more! I’ve recorded a 40-minute video to help you through some of the key stages of the project. So, if you are a visual learner, this is a fabulous option! Just a reminder that the instructions and videos are geared towards a 4-shaft loom. Click here to get your 4-shaft instructions and so much more for $25!

Rigid Heddle Loom

OWAL Rigid Heddle Instructions Only: Michele’s instructions for the rigid heddle loom include everything you need to create the pair of OWAL shadow weave towels, plus a huge library of images to walk you through any tricky spots.  Just a reminder that the instructions are for a rigid heddle loom. Click here to get your rigid heddle instructions for $15!

FAQ’s

Is everything included in the kit from Cotton Clouds? All the yarn you’ll need (and then some!) is included in the kit. However, please note that the instructions are sold separately. This will give you lots of options if you’d like to use one, but not the other. (See the notes above for more about the instructions.)

What width loom do I need for the Acton Creative Weave Along Project? The project is set at 12″ wide in the reed for a 4-shaft loom and 15.5″ wide for the rigid heddle loom. However, if you want to make it wider or narrower, it is simple to repeat or cut out a few inches to your desired width.

Can I use my own yarn for the Acton Creative Weave Along Project? You absolutely may use your own yarn! It would be beautiful in all sorts of colors and textures. The project is designed for 8/2 cotton, but you can easily substitute that with another fiber.

I want to participate, but don’t do Facebook. I get it! And that is absolutely no barrier for participating in the October Weave Along! Each Monday in the month of October, I will release a new video giving you your homework for the week in order to stay on target to finish your project before the 31st. Work steadily on your shadow weave at home and please send me a photo once you have completed it! I would love to include you in the final Gallery Show!

What if I get stuck during the project? You have options, my friend! First of all, there is an entire Facebook group of weavers all going through the same thing. So, reach out and ask for some feedback/suggestions/answers. It’s a fabulous and generous group who will run to your rescue, I promise! However, if you want to do things more privately, you are always welcome to reach out to me directly at chris@actoncreative.net. I LOVE connecting with other weavers and will do my darnedest to help you out of your pickle!

How do I share my progress and the finished project? Please post photos of your progress and the finished project in the Facebook group. I will pull together a parade of projects at the end of the month so we can all ooh and ahh over our weaving brilliance! If you choose not to participate in the Facebook group, you are welcome to share your project with me at chris@actoncreative.net.

What if there’s already a project on my loom and it won’t be empty in time to participate? First of all, I love that you are working steadily on a weaving project! Yay you! While you may not be in a position to weave along, there is still value in participating in the Facebook Group. You never know what information you might learn or connections you’ll make. We’d love to have you!

Happy Weaving!

I’m so excited to share this weaving adventure with you, during the month of October! My hope is that this experience will spark lots of project and weaving ideas for the future, plus introduce you to a few new weaving friends online! Cheers to you & our month-long weaving adventure! Happy Weaving!! – Chris