Planning a Project Archives - Acton Creative https://actoncreative.net/category/planning-a-project/ Tue, 05 May 2026 17:11:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 An Introduction to Weaving Inlay https://actoncreative.net/2026/05/13/an-introduction-to-weaving-inlay/ Wed, 13 May 2026 08:00:38 +0000 https://actoncreative.net/?p=32697 Have you ever worked on a project that was perfectly fine, but needed a little something extra? The texture is fine, the colors are lovely, the pattern is good, but something is still missing? A little pop, a little interest, if you will? We've all been there friends. In this episode of A Handwoven Experience [...]

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Have you ever worked on a project that was perfectly fine, but needed a little something extra? The texture is fine, the colors are lovely, the pattern is good, but something is still missing? A little pop, a little interest, if you will?

We’ve all been there friends. In this episode of A Handwoven Experience I give you “An Introduction to Weaving Inlay.” This simple technique can take your project from good to amazing, while opening a new world of creative possibilities. Happy weaving!

An Introduction to Weaving Inlay

Show Notes

“Patterned Inlay on a Plain Weave Background” by Nancy Peterson in Handwoven magazine is chock full of helpful weaving inlay tips. Click here to check it out.

Ready to play with some patterns? My FREE guide to 6 Weaving Patterns is a great place to start. Click here to get your copy.

Join the AC Insiders!

Ready to take your weaving to the next level? Become an AC Insider today! Join the Resource Center tier for Weaving Study Hall, free weaving tips, and bonus A Handwoven Experience episodes. Or become a member of the Online Weavers’ Guild and get all of these plus access to monthly meetings, quarterly weaving challenges, and the support and friendship of a community of weavers. Want all of these goodies AND be in-the-know about all things Acton Creative? Join the Founders tier. There’s something for everyone! Click here for more details.

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Lessons from a Multi-Fiber Warp https://actoncreative.net/2026/05/06/lessons-from-a-multi-fiber-warp/ Wed, 06 May 2026 08:00:14 +0000 https://actoncreative.net/?p=32692 One of the things I love about weaving is that there's always something new to learn. I was perusing my yarn stash recently and wondered: "What if I tried using multiple fibers in my warp?" I had never tried that before, and boy did I learn some things! This week in A Handwoven Experience I [...]

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One of the things I love about weaving is that there’s always something new to learn. I was perusing my yarn stash recently and wondered: “What if I tried using multiple fibers in my warp?” I had never tried that before, and boy did I learn some things! This week in A Handwoven Experience I share some “Lessons from a Multi-Fiber Warp.” Happy weaving!

Lessons from a Multi-Fiber Warp

Show Notes

Mixing and matching different fibers is a great way to add texture and interest to your projects. Find more tips for incorporating different fibers into your weaving projects in this episode of A Handwoven Experience.

New to weaving? The vast array of weaving yarns can be overwhelming. My FREE Beginner’s Guide to Weaving Yarn is a great place to learn the basics. Click here to get your copy!

Online Weaving Classes

Want to learn more about weaving but have a hard time fitting classes into your schedule? Check out my ongoing, fully online weaving classes. I cover an array of topics, from Planning a Weaving Project, to Reading a Weaving Draft, to Weaving a Color Gamp – each class is self-paced so you can take all the time you need. Best of all, once you purchase one of my classes you have unlimited access to it so you can refer back to it anytime you need. Ready to level-up your weaving game? Click here to learn more and to sign up.

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How Much Yarn Do I Need for My Weaving Project? https://actoncreative.net/2026/04/29/how-much-yarn-do-i-need-for-my-weaving-project/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:00:44 +0000 https://actoncreative.net/?p=32688 You're planning a weaving project from scratch - yay you! You've decided on the pattern, the dimensions, the type of yarn ... you have it all figured out. Until you go yarn shopping. In this episode of A Handwoven Experience, I sit down with the fabulous Jodi Ybarra of Cotton Clouds, Inc. to answer the [...]

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You’re planning a weaving project from scratch – yay you! You’ve decided on the pattern, the dimensions, the type of yarn … you have it all figured out. Until you go yarn shopping. In this episode of A Handwoven Experience, I sit down with the fabulous Jodi Ybarra of Cotton Clouds, Inc. to answer the age-old question: “How much yarn do I need for my weaving project?”

Jodi breaks down the math (yes friends, there is some math!) required to figure out how much yarn you need in easy, manageable bites. By the end of the episode you will have all the tools you need to determine how much yarn you need for your warp and your weft. Happy weaving!

How Much Yarn Do I Need for My Weaving Project?

Show Notes

Jodi created a FREE guide to calculating how much yarn you need for your project. Click here to get your copy! Be sure to shop her beautiful collections of yarns while you’re there!

Ready to plan your own weaving project but not sure how to start? I’ve got you my friend! My Planning a Weaving Project class takes you through the technical and the design sides of the process. You’ll have everything you need to create your own unique pieces. Click here to learn more.

Join the Online Weavers’ Guild!

Are you looking for a community of weavers who love weaving as much as you do? Look no further my friend! The Acton Creative Online Weaver’s Guild is a place where you can spend time with other weavers, share your weaving stories, trade tips, and learn a few things along the way. We meet once a month over Zoom, host an ongoing members-only chat so that we don’t lose touch in between meetings, take part in quarterly weaving challenges, and more. We’re saving you a seat! Click here to learn more.

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Play With Your Warp https://actoncreative.net/2026/04/15/play-with-your-warp/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:00:09 +0000 https://actoncreative.net/?p=32683 As we plan our projects, we weavers almost always add extra inches to the warp. That way we are never at risk of running out of inches before our project is finished. If you are lucky enough to finish your project with inches to spare, then you have options my friend! In this episode of [...]

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As we plan our projects, we weavers almost always add extra inches to the warp. That way we are never at risk of running out of inches before our project is finished. If you are lucky enough to finish your project with inches to spare, then you have options my friend! In this episode of A Handwoven Experience I make the case for using those extra inches to “Play With Your Warp”. Because it’s always a good idea to make time to play. Happy weaving!

Play With Your Warp

Show Notes

Before you play with your warp, you need to create a break in your fabric. Need help with that step? I’ve got you! Check out “Creating a Break in Your Fabric” on my YouTube channel here.

Need help dressing a loom? Want some pattern ideas to play with? Check out these and all of my FREE resources here.

Join the AC Insiders!

Ready to take your weaving to the next level? Become an AC Insider today! Join the Resource Center tier for Weaving Study Hall, free weaving tips, and bonus A Handwoven Experience episodes. Or become a member of the Online Weavers’ Guild and get all of these plus access to monthly meetings, quarterly weaving challenges, and the support and friendship of a community of weavers. Want all of these goodies AND be in-the-know about all things Acton Creative? Join the Founders tier. There’s something for everyone and we’re saving you a seat! Click here to learn more and to join today.

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The Fibonacci Sequence and Weaving https://actoncreative.net/2026/04/01/the-fibonacci-sequence-and-weaving/ Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:00:14 +0000 https://actoncreative.net/?p=32671 Love it or hate it, math is a part of weaving. But did you know that math can inspire our weaving projects? This week in A Handwoven Experience we're exploring the Fibonacci sequence and weaving. You might remember learning about the Fibonacci sequence in middle school math class. It's a mathematic rendering of a progression [...]

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Love it or hate it, math is a part of weaving. But did you know that math can inspire our weaving projects? This week in A Handwoven Experience we’re exploring the Fibonacci sequence and weaving.

You might remember learning about the Fibonacci sequence in middle school math class. It’s a mathematic rendering of a progression found in nature, and those two things together make it the perfect inspiration for a weaving project. In this episode I discuss what the Fibonacci sequence is and share three ways you can incorporate it into your next weaving project. It just adds up! Happy weaving!

The Fibonacci Sequence and Weaving

Show Notes

Are you looking for a new pattern to try? Check out my FREE guide to 6 Weaving Patterns. It’s the perfect springboard for diving into the wonderful world of weaving patterns. Click here to get yours today!

The Cornell University Johnson Museum of Art has a great piece about the Fibonacci sequence in nature and in art. Click here to learn more!

FREE Weaving Resources

Would you look at that? There is an entire collection of FREE weaving resources at your fingertips here on the Acton Creative website! In addition to my FREE guide to 6 Weaving Patterns, I offer everything from Parts of a Loom, to the Beginner’s Guide to Weaving Yarn, and a Weaving Equipment Guide. There’s a little something for everyone. Simply click here to pick which one (or all!) will be helpful for you!

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Wait – I Ran Out of Yarn! https://actoncreative.net/2026/03/04/wait-i-ran-out-of-yarn/ Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:00:03 +0000 https://actoncreative.net/?p=32646 We're troubleshooting this week in A Handwoven Experience. Because one day you'll be in the middle of a project and suddenly realize "wait - I ran out of yarn!" This week I'm sharing tips for what to do if you run out of yarn. It can happen to any of us. You're standing at your [...]

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We’re troubleshooting this week in A Handwoven Experience. Because one day you’ll be in the middle of a project and suddenly realize “wait – I ran out of yarn!”

This week I’m sharing tips for what to do if you run out of yarn. It can happen to any of us. You’re standing at your warping board and suddenly you’re short a color. Or you’re happily weaving your fabric and notice a lot of cardboard in your cone. You absolutely can buy more yarn. But you don’t have to. Join me as I share some simple steps you can take to turn a lack of yarn into a fabulous one-of-a-kind piece of fabric. Happy weaving!

Wait – I Ran Out of Yarn!

Show Notes

Want to learn more about weaving yarn? I’ve got you covered! My FREE Beginner’s Guide to Weaving Yarn walks you through everything you need to know about weaving yarn. Click here to check it out!

My friends at Hemptique published this exhaustive guide to yarn types and materials. Click here to learn more about all of the different fibers you can work with!

Online Weavers’ Guild

Are you looking for a community of weavers who love weaving as much as you do? Look no further my friend! The Acton Creative Online Weaver’s Guild is a place where you can spend time with other weavers, share your weaving stories, trade tips, and learn a few things along the way. We meet once a month over Zoom, host an ongoing members-only chat so that we don’t lose touch in between meetings, take part in quarterly weaving challenges, and more. We’re saving you a seat! Head to https://patreon.com/actoncreative for more information & links to join. See you soon!

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Turning a Weaving Draft https://actoncreative.net/2026/02/18/turning-a-weaving-draft/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:00:22 +0000 https://actoncreative.net/?p=32640 We're getting technical this week on A Handwoven Experience as we learn more about how, and why, you might want to try Turning a Weaving Draft. You see, I'm not a technical weaver, and technical weaving chats are normally not my jam (it's just not how I'm wired, I'm afraid!). But I kept hearing about [...]

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We’re getting technical this week on A Handwoven Experience as we learn more about how, and why, you might want to try Turning a Weaving Draft.

You see, I’m not a technical weaver, and technical weaving chats are normally not my jam (it’s just not how I’m wired, I’m afraid!). But I kept hearing about turning a weaving draft, and while it’s a more technical trick, it piqued my interest. It turns out that turning a weaving draft is a pretty handy trick to learn. It not only helps solve some common weaving snafu’s, but it opens up some pretty cool creative opportunities too. Happy Weaving!

Turning a Weaving Draft

Show Notes –

Madelyn van der Hoogt has a wonderful article in Handwoven magazine all about turning a weaving draft. Click here to check it out.

Need to review some weaving draft basics? Check out this episode of A Handwoven Experience: Reading a Weaving Draft.

Reading a Weaving Draft Class

Are you new to weaving? Do you need help figuring out what a weaving draft is and how to read it? Friends, I’ve got you! Check out my online Reading a Weaving Draft course. This self-paced class will walk you through the in’s and out’s of reading a weaving draft so that you will be able to tackle any weaving draft that comes your way. The best part is once you buy one of my classes it is yours to keep; you can refer back to it anytime. Ready to check it out? Click here to learn more and sign up.

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Weaving/Knitting Yarn Translation https://actoncreative.net/2025/08/20/weaving-knitting-yarn-translation/ Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:12:56 +0000 https://actoncreative.net/?p=32473 Today's video is less about instruction and more about starting a conversation - it's all about the translation between weaving/knitting yarn. You see, while I've tried a lot of various crafts, weaving was the first place I really went down the rabbit hole. So when I think of yarn, I think of it from the [...]

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Today’s video is less about instruction and more about starting a conversation – it’s all about the translation between weaving/knitting yarn.

You see, while I’ve tried a lot of various crafts, weaving was the first place I really went down the rabbit hole. So when I think of yarn, I think of it from the perspective of a weaver. This means that when you tell me something is a “DK weight”, I have no idea what that means.

Thus, today’s episode was born! Let’s figure out a way to bridge the gap between knitting yarns and weaving yarns, so crafters can cross over the bridge much easier. Here we go!

Show Notes –

Knitting Yarn – I found a great resource for reading the knitting yarn labels and I especially like the chart about halfway down. For someone like me (who’s not a knitter), it’s a very thorough look at the yarn and what information you have at your fingertips. Click here to read all about the knitting yarn goodness. 

Buying Weaving Yarn Online – If you are arriving at this conversation from a knitter’s or crocheter’s perspective, I have a great episode all about how to buy weaving yarn online. You can watch it right here. 

FREE Weaving Resources

There is an entire list of FREE weaving resources at your fingertips on the Acton Creative website! Everything from Parts of a Loom, to 6 Weaving Patterns, to the Beginner’s Guide to Weaving Yarn – there’s a little something for everyone. Simply click here to pick which one (or all!) will be helpful for you!

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Using Knitting Yarn in a Weaving Project https://actoncreative.net/2025/05/21/using-knitting-yarn-in-a-weaving-project/ Wed, 21 May 2025 08:02:34 +0000 https://actoncreative.net/?p=32358 Let's talk about the process of using knitting yarn in a weaving project! You're ready to try weaving (yay, you!). You've found a loom, picked out a pattern, and even taken a class (like one of my Acton Creative classes!). Now you just need to find some yarn. But all you have are skeins of [...]

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Let’s talk about the process of using knitting yarn in a weaving project!

You’re ready to try weaving (yay, you!). You’ve found a loom, picked out a pattern, and even taken a class (like one of my Acton Creative classes!). Now you just need to find some yarn. But all you have are skeins of knitting yarn. Don’t order a million cones online just yet, my friend, because you absolutely CAN use your knitting yarn in your weaving projects!

In this episode of A Handwoven Experience, I’ll walk you through some things to consider before weaving with your knitting yarn. In the end, it’s all just yarn. So go forth and use it! I can’t wait to see what beautiful pieces you create. Happy Weaving!

Show Notes –

Knitting Yarn Labels – In today’s video, I comment on the impressive job the knitting yarn makers do with their labels. More than 1/2 of the time, weaving yarn isn’t equipped with any sort of information. So, I commend the people producing the wonderful labels that wrap around every skein and ball of yarn. If you want to learn more about what is typically included on a label, I have a great post for you. Check it out here! 

Unknown Sett – If you find yourself using a knitting yarn for your warp, but don’t have an idea of what the sett should be, I have an episode just for you. Take a look at “Unknown Sett” to get a strategy for determining a good spacing for your project. 

FREE Weaving Resources

Would you look at that? There is an entire list of FREE weaving resources at your fingertips on the Acton Creative website! Everything from Parts of a Loom, to 6 Weaving Patterns, to the Beginner’s Guide to Weaving Yarn – there’s a little something for everyone. Simply click here to pick which one (or all!) will be helpful for you!

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Planning a Weaving Project Class https://actoncreative.net/2025/04/22/planning-a-weaving-project-class/ Tue, 22 Apr 2025 19:01:56 +0000 https://actoncreative.net/?p=32321 Planning a Weaving Project Class One of the major skills every weaver should learn is how to plan your projects from scratch. How do you take a kernel of an idea and make a plan for turning it into your own unique handwoven fabric? Well, my friend, it's not that hard once you understand how [...]

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Planning a Weaving Project Class

One of the major skills every weaver should learn is how to plan your projects from scratch. How do you take a kernel of an idea and make a plan for turning it into your own unique handwoven fabric? Well, my friend, it’s not that hard once you understand how the pieces fit together. And I have a plan to walk you through each and every piece.

So join me for the Planning a Weaving Project Class and open up an entirely new world where all your great ideas can be transformed into incredible projects for you to enjoy.

Class Format

This live class is broken into 2 parts, so you can pick and choose which one will best help you on your weaving journey. Select one class or both – you have options.

Part 1: Technical

The first part of our Planning a Weaving Project Class is all about the numbers and the strategy for making your idea a reality. We’ll cover:

  • How to figure the best length for your warp
  • How to determine an appropriate width for your project
  • How to make a guestimate for the weft

Part 2: Design

The second part of our Planning a Weaving Project Class is all about design and translating the ideas in your head.  We’ll go over:

  • Basic design principles to create an interesting fabric (ex. balance, scale)
  • Selecting and working with materials
  • How to effectively use your pattern
  • How color can support your project goals

 

Both Part 1 & Part 2

To attend both classes, the cost is $89.

 

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