Handwoven

Each issue offers a stunning collection of enticing weaving projects. But the magazine is more than that: it's a pattern book, and weave structure textbook, it's a place to discover original designs, and find solutions to weaving challenges. For over 20 years Handwoven has been an indispensable resource for weavers.

FROM THE EDITOR

FUTURE THEMES

Handwoven

Letters • Stories, tips, tricks, and questions from Handwoven readers

Favorite Finds • Sometimes a simple object can make your weaving life easier. These four tools can be used at the loom to help you warp, repair warp ends, manage your tie-up, and keep track of where you are while you thread and weave.

More Weaving to Love

Weaving at Black Mountain College • The history of handweaving in America is incomplete without mention of the weaving program at Black Mountain College. Though the program lasted a relatively brief 22 years, the impact it had (and still has) is immeasur able. Founded by none other than Anni Albers herself, the program boasted Trude Guermonprez, Marli Ehrman, and Else Regensteiner among its students and faculty, just to name a few. In honor of this incredible program and the impact it had on the art world, Black Mountain College has created a new exhibition, Weaving at Black Mountain College: Anni Albers, Trude Guermonprez, and Their Students.

Toshiko Taira Reviving a Cultural Tradition • The fiber for the distinctive Okinawan cloth bashō f u comes from the banana species Musa balbisiana (known as ito-basho in Japanese). Centuries ago, the plant was brought from Southeast Asia to the Ryukyu archipelago, whose largest island is Okinawa. Today, ito-basho can be found at nurseries and landscape companies in the United States.

Sheep-to-Shawl Basics • I think just about everyone enjoys an old-fashioned country fair. Fairs have been held all around the world for hundreds of years. They’re a chance to show off agricultural skills and artistic talents. You will also find friendly competitions for the best canned goods, baked items, and needlework. There is plenty of livestock to visit as the animals await judging. Cattle, horses, poultry, and, my favorite, sheep are there for viewing, and it’s a great time to ask their owners any questions you might have about the animals. You might even be lucky enough to see sheepshearing followed by someone demonstrating spinning wool, and then others weaving it into a piece of fabric.

Bioluminescent Yarn? • On a warm, moonlit evening several summers ago, a friend and I sat on a beach in the south of France, relishing our rare time together. We’d eaten a delectable Indian meal, shopped for souvenirs from Provence, and in our conversation, solved all our—and the world’s—problems. As we sat there on the beach during what felt like a magical moment, I noticed something strange: the water was glowing in the dark. Somehow, unbelievably, the whites of the waves were sparkling!

Photography for Weavers • As weavers, we invest time, effort, and love in our projects, from the initial ideas and planning to the final wet-finishing. It’s rewarding to share the finished project, whether in an online weaving group, on personal social media, or by selling the piece. Whatever your reason for sharing, you want to present your woven piece in the best way possible. Although a photo captures a still moment, certain photography techniques can really bring a woven piece to life.

Exploring Multicolor Iridescence • Add excitement to your weaving by including optical effects. Yarns such as Mylar create a sparkle of spectral colors, metallics (natural and synthetic) magnify light reflection, and some new yarns can even change colors or intensify in sunlight. In addition, there is woven iridescence, the effect that most interests me.

Shimmering Crackle Scarf

Neon...