The April 2024 Weave Along is here! Are you ready for a month-long weaving adventure?
Here are the 2 guidelines for the 2024 April Weave Along (AWAL) –
- All participants will start and finish a weaving project in the month of April, and
- We’ll all use the same pattern – Undulating Twill!
The Group
The GroupTo 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 will open on Monday, March 25. Click here to join (and make sure to answer the questions).
The Weaving Pattern
One of our 2 guidelines for the month is that we’ll do the same pattern, which is undulating twill. Imagine a twill that looks a little tipsy – that’s an undulating twill. It’s a fascinating mix of curves, which is typically pretty challenging to do in weaving. But, we’re making it fun and easy for the April Weave Along! Click here to watch an episode of A Handwoven Experience episode all about undulating twill. 
The AWAL Project
There are no restrictions on what you can do for the April Weave Along. The sky is the limit! Just make sure it includes undulating twill 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!
Acton Creative Project Materials
However, if the prospect of designing a project feels completely overwhelming, no worries! I’ve created an Acton Creative April Weave Along Kit that is available to you! My project is a table runner in gradations of green, perfect for your spring dining room table.
The Acton Creative kit is sold in 2 parts so you can mix and match. The yarn and the instructions are sold separately.
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 green 8/4 cotton. And if green isn’t your jam, you can select blues, purples, or even make up your own!
Just click here to order your kit materials today.
Acton Creative Project Instructions
The Acton Creative kit is sold in 2 parts so you can mix and match. The yarn and the instructions are sold separately.
Because you can order the instructions and yarn separately, you can simply use what you have on the shelf and purchase just the instructions. And to accomodate all the fabulous beginners, we have options for the multi-shaft weavers, as well as the rigid heddle weavers!
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. And if you want extra support, you can choose the option with not only the .pdf instructions, but also video tips to help you see the process clearly.
So, this is the best kind of choose-your-own-adventure! Select which loom you want to work on (multi-shaft or rigid heddle), and then click on the link to order your instructions, either as a downloadable .pdf, or as a bundle with both the instructions and the video tips.
4-Shaft (Multi-shaft) Loom
AWAL 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 these instructions are for a 4-shaft loom. Click here to get your 4-shaft instructions for $15!
OR,
AWAL 4-Shaft Instructions PLUS Video Tips: You’ll receive the .pdf and more! There is an extensive 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
AWAL Rigid Heddle Instructions Only: Michele’s instructions for the rigid heddle loom include everything you need to create the AWAL table runner, plus a 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!
OR,
AWAL Rigid Heddle Instructions PLUS Bonus Video Tips: Michele’s got you covered! There is an extensive 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 rigid heddle loom. Click here to get your rigid heddle instructions and so much more for $25!
The Acton Creative Insiders
As a hefty bonus for my Acton Creative Insiders, each member at the Boat Shuttle Tier ($10/month) and above will receive a FREE copy of the multi-shaft April Weave Along Project Instructions! Just insert your own yarn to be off and weaving!
There is always room for you at the Acton Creative Insiders and I’d love for you to join us! Just click here to become part of the membership.
FAQ’s
FAQ’sIs 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 13″ wide in the reed for a 4-shaft loom and 13.75″ 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 8/4 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 April Weave Along! Each Monday in the month of April, 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 30th. Work steadily on your undulating twill project 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 April! 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
