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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In this episode of A Handwoven Experience I will walk you through some tried-and-true tips for figuring out the sett, or EPI (ends per inch) of a mystery fiber. So embrace the unknown and discover all of the amazing creative opportunities that await you! Happy weaving!

Show Notes –

Metric versions of sett – What’s so wonderful these days is having an international audience. However, they make me keenly aware that there is more than one version of how to do things. So as I’ve spoken about sett and epi (ends per inch), I’ve been reminded that the “inch” measurement is not universal.  Thus, I went hunting for a resource to help and my girl, Madelyn Van Der Hoogt, came through! Check out her response when she was asked this exact question. 

Reed Substitution Chart – If you are new to weaving, I’d like to introduce you to a wonderful tool – the reed substitution chart! At first glance it’s a series of random numbers. But, with some simple instruction, you can learn how to use it like a champ! Click here to dive right in. 

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!

The post Unknown Sett appeared first on Acton Creative.

These two abbreviations are probably the most popular in the weaving vocabulary because we discuss them with each project we do. EPI = ends per inch, referring to the spacing the warp yarns. PPI = picks per inch, referring to the spacing of the weft yarns.

Both of these components in a weaving project have distinctive benefits and challenges. In today’s episode, I’ll be walking you through what they look like. Enjoy!

Show Notes –

Gather Textiles talks about sett – I found a lovely blog post from Gather Textiles explaining sett and providing a deeper dive into the world of warp yarn spacing. They’re pretty smart over there at Gather! Click here to check it out. 

Let’s Talk About Sett – Back at episode 50, I created my first video dedicated to EPI and sett. If you weren’t hanging out with me back then, no worries! I have a link so you can enjoy it right here. 

What is PPI? – A few episodes later, I introduced the idea of PPI! (See how that all comes together? ) Here’s your walk down memory lane to episode 69 of A Handwoven Experience. 

April Weave Along –

The April Weave Along is here! Join us for this month-long weaving adventure where we all start and finish a project in the month of April, and we all utilize the same pattern. This time around, we’re leaning into undulating twill! To see all the program details and find out how you can participate, jog over to the April Weave Along Central page.

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As I was recording this, I came to the realization that the conversation could easily fall down the rabbit hole with ALL the various scenarios. So, I decided to narrow it down to the same fiber, just in a different size. (This is my effort to keep it from being too complicated… you let me know if it worked.)

Enjoy episode 122 of A Handwoven Experience right here.

Show Notes –

Master Yarn Chart – In the video I talk about how to identify the recommended sett for your yarn. My go-to solution for this is the website where you purchased it. If you aren’t sure where you got it from, but you know what fiber and size it is, you can still look it up! There is a very comprehensive document called the “Master Yarn Chart” from Handwoven Magazine that has everything! I’ll warn you – it can be overwhelming. But if you need a deep dive into a fiber that you can’t find sold online, it’s a great resource. Click here to check it out. 

Let’s Talk About Sett – Back in episode 50, I did a brief rundown of the world of epi’s and setts. It’s a perfect introduction, if you are just starting your weaving journey. You can access this easy, starter video right here. 

Sett Sidebar –

I want to toss in a bit of an astericks to our sett conversation here. In the video, I mentioned that the difference between 20 epi and 24 epi is “not that great”. Please understand that there absolutely is a difference! And if you are playing with the naunces of your warp spacing, then fabulous job! That’s amazing!

But for the sake of the beginner who is simply trying to make a decision about how to substitute a different-sized yarn into an existing set of instructions, it is better to choose a number in the appropriate range and get to weaving – versus agonizing over the “perfect” sett.

I encourage everyone to take a moment to analyze your project after it is complete and make notes to improve your process for next time. When/if you are ready later on, you can absolutely explore the subtleties between 20 epi and 24 epi! But for now, let’s weave!

Acton Creative Insiders – 

Do you love all things Acton Creative? Want event more? I have just the thing! I’ve partnered with Patreon to bring you the Acton Creative Insiders! This monthly membership includes personal insights, weaving tips/tricks, and small group chats every single month! All we’re missing is you!  This link will take you right to the AC Insiders page where you can see more details and register today! I can’t wait to have you as part of the team!

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Weaving yarns aren’t packaged with a brilliant system for identifying themselves. (At least, that has been my experience!) There might be a sticker inside the cone, but will the sticker always stick? Maybe not. With tubes, there might be an identifier when you first purchase it, but how often does that stay with the tube after you’ve started using it?

And that doesn’t include any lovely skeins or balls that fill in your yarn stash! So in episode 116, I’ll be presenting some ideas on how to determine a spacing for an unknown yarn. Enjoy!

Show Notes –

Master Yarn Chart – Handwoven magazine has a fabulous chart that’s multiple pages and include hundreds of yarns! It includes pictures, details about the weight, and recommended setts. It is so impressive! If you haven’t yet explored their Master Yarn Chart, here is your chance! Simply click here to download your copy. 

Let’s talk about SETT! – Back in episode 50 of A Handwoven Experience, I did a deep dive into the world of sett and epi (ends per inch). If a refresher is exactly what the doctor ordered, you’re in luck! I have a link to it right here.

Acton Creative Insiders – 

Do you love all things Acton Creative? Want event more? I have just the thing! I’ve partnered with Patreon to bring you the Acton Creative Insiders! This monthly membership includes personal insights, weaving tips/tricks, and behind-the-scenes action every single week! All we’re missing is you!  This link will take you right to the AC Insiders page where you can see more details and register today! I can’t wait to have you as part of the team!

The post Spacing an Unknown Yarn appeared first on Acton Creative.

Sett refers to the spacing between the warp yarns in your project. And when you talk about sett, you also talk about epi – ends per inch. EPI is the actual number you use. For instance, if you have 12 warp yarns in 1 inch, you are using a 12 epi.

When someone asks you, “What sett did you use for your project?”, you respond “I used 12 epi.”. Easy as that! Well, maybe there’s a little more to it. Tune into this week’s episode of A Handwoven Experience to find out!

Show Notes –

Master Yarn Chart – Handwoven magazine (which is now part of Long Thread Media) has a very extensive yarn chart (9 pages!) that includes suggested setts for each yarn, plus some other valuable information. In their chart, they have 3 suggested setts for each – the middle sett is for plain weave. If you are an information junkie, this document will make you simply giddy! With over 400 different yarns, you will always be in the know. You can download a copy for yourself right here. 

How to determine your sett? – Gist published a great post about determining your sett with an unknown yarn – which happens! I like the way they walk you through the terms and show you how to do it. Definitely worth a read! Click here to see more. 

Acton Creative Insiders – 

Have you heard the great news? I’ve partnered with Patreon to bring you the Acton Creative Insiders! This monthly membership offers you a behind-the-scenes look at life as a weaver. You’ll get discounts on products and classes. Plus, you are the first to know about all the good stuff coming down the pike (because you’ll get to help create it)!

Have I piqued your interest? Want to know more? This link will take you right to the AC Insiders page where you can see more details and register today! I can’t wait to have you as part of the team!

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Show notes

Carpet warp or rug warp – an 8/4 cotton great for rugs and much more! (check out Ep. 2 for details on what the numbers mean!)

Ply – a single strand of yarn

Unmercerized – to “mercerize” a cotton is to give it a treatment that makes it silky and creates a vivid color. “Unmercerized” cotton has not gone through that process and therefore has a matte finish. It also shrinks a bit more than the treated cotton.

Three Moons Fiberworks, 402 Broadway, Chesterton, IN 46304

Warp – yarns that are under tension in a loom

Weft – yarns that are in a shuttle

Waffle weave – type of weave used a lot in creating towels, very dimensional

Sett – how far apart yarns are placed in a weaving project

Shrinkage – typically shrinkage is referred to as a percentage. You calculate it by taking the size difference between an unwashed and washed weaving project.

Bleeding – when extra dye releases and stains neighboring yarns (Shout Color Catchers are great for avoiding bleeding!)

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Weavers? Well, because our system for identifying weaving yarn goes WAY back, it is a bit more convoluted. (For the history buffs, I chat about it at 2:16 – with some extra random trivia thrown in.) As a matter of fact, what’s little is big, and there are weird fractions that aren’t fractions… it’s all over the place!

But there is a method to the madness! And hopefully by the end of the video, you’ll learn why a 3/2 cotton is much bigger than a 20/2 cotton. Plus, you’ll have cool words like, “lea” and “hank” to add to your repertoire. Happy weaving! (Don’t forget to check out the show notes below!)

Here are a few show notes for you!

Sport weight – a #2 sized yarn for knitting/crocheting, fairly fine

Needles – 2 needles are used for knitting

Hook – 1 hook is used for crocheting

Hank – 840 yards of cotton yarn

Lea – 300 yards of linen yarn

Worsted – 560 yards of wool yarn

Ply – one strand of yarn (usually yarn has 2 or more)

Sett – how closely yarns are spaced together in a project

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