Playing with Plaid while I was weaving a scarf for my husband. A personal request from my husband who wanted a scarf in his favourite colour from Sweetgeorgia Yarns Chili Chocolate (this colour is no longer available but there is a similar one). I decided to do a plaid version as if feel it is a nice design for a man but instead of weaving the plaid throughout the scarf I chose to only weave it at the bottoms and leave the middle with a more subtle strip pattern due to the warping. The colours in the stripes are a brown and a beige to give a more neutral effect to the design. The base colour yarn is a hand painted yarn and adds lots of splashes of subtle colour changes throughout the design. I am currently weaving another “plaid” style pattern where the yarn does most of the work because of how it is dyed. I will show pictures of this scarf at a later date.
Weaving with a plaid design is very enjoyable as it is interesting and keeps you focused while weaving. My next goal is to try a much bigger scarf that has a deconstructed plaid essence. The pattern I found was in my Handwoven (handwovenmagazine.com). That weaving adventure is for another day!
Various crochet patterns by Valerie Baber Designs are available at:
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Weaving a friendship together is the first weaving adventure that Lisa, great friend of mine, decided we wanted to start. Since we both live in different countries we could enjoy virtual time together weaving and enjoy picking out a pattern, yarn and colours. Since I live in Canada and Lisa lives in the USA it makes it difficult to get together and enjoy our making our crafts. Lisa is actually the one who inspired me to try weaving (thank you Lisa! it’s just what I needed for my next fibre adventure). I started with a Frame Loom and worked up to a Rigid Heddle Loom. I am totally hooked on weaving and dream of larger 4 or 8 shaft looms in my studio to create on. I have known Lisa for years, but we have never met. We share a love for crochet and now weaving. Our friendship has evolved along with our artistic adventures to new and exciting directions. You never know where life will take you or who you will meet along the way. Lisa and I will be making various projects together so follow along as we jump into a weaving adventure that virtually brings us together from different countries.
The first scarf is the Friendship Factor scarf. We both went through our weaving magazines and patterns and settled on this lovely one available on Handwoven Magazine’s Little Looms edition, Easy Weaving With Little Looms Summer 2020 – Long Thread Media We chose the Plumage Scarf to weave as our first Friendship Factor scarf. The photo below is from Handwoven Magazine (handwovenmagazine.com) and I hope they don’t mind that I used it as I promote this wonderful weaving pattern. If you are looking for inspiration for your weaving project Handwoven Magazine is a wonderful place to start. Beautiful photo’s and patterns as well as history of weaving, artist, yarns and more are in each volume. You can even buy it online so you can look at it on your phone and computer. I love looking through the older issues and seeing how weaving has evolved over the years. This pattern uses Brooks Bouquet as the main pattern. I really like weaving this pattern it is an interesting design yet easy to do. I previous made a different scarf with the Brooks Bouquet in gray that had a lacey effect, but with this scarf the pattern is spaced differently giving a more texturized look.
This weaving adventure with Lisa was a wonderful journey that I was able to enjoy with a great friend. We took time looking for patterns at each end and both ended up really liking this one. I love that we both used different yarns and colours to achieve the scarf we wanted. Here are our thoughts about the pattern:
Valerie: On my version I chose to make it shorter as I wanted a Fall scarf to wear when out for a walk that was smaller in size. I also wanted to try it with two different colours on the warp and love that it added a stripe effect to the design. I used a darker hand painted yarn with softer colour on the warp and a natural/ivory colour on the weft. Using the ivory/natural on the weft had a subtle effect when I washed the scarf leaving the two other colours to stand out even more. I can’t wait to enjoy wearing this one. I will always think of our great friendship and the enjoyment we had making it every time I wear it.
Lisa: For my version, I chose to use two variegated skeins like the pattern called for because I was curious to see how they would blend together. Plus, I thought it would be a fun addition to my winter wardrobe. To choose my yarn, I looked for colors that look good together and looked for a common color to unite the skeins. In this case it was a mint and a light blue that were close in value. I liked this because it was not the prominent color in either skein, it was what I call the “pop color,” or the color that stands out on a yarn skein. This scarf was a lot of fun to make because I had no idea how the colors would come together – it’s kind of that throw paint on the wall and see what happens effect. Lisa Gossman-Steeves (@lisagossmansteeves)
I really like how Lisa’s turned out with all the beautiful array of colours mingled together. It has inspired me to add this scarf to my make it again list but this time longer and perhaps a thicker yarn like the one Lisa did. Our scarves started with the same pattern yet turned out as unique designs. The Friendship Factor Scarf is an example of how two people can take the same idea and make it completely different. That’s what friendship is about. Two or more people with individualities coming together and creating amazing and unique moments, items and friendships. Try a weaving project or other craft project with your friends. See where that adventure takes you and the beautiful way it weaves your friendship together.
Various crochet patterns by Valerie Baber Designs are available at:
Follow me on my Instagram, Twitter and here on my Blog for the newest patterns, free patterns, weaving adventure, crochet journey and other fiber related items.
Fiesta Lace Scarf Crochet Pattern is an easy to crochet pattern. Designed with Fingerling/Sock weight yarn. You can use any sock weight yarn. Perfect for the Party of Five yarn shown here. The Fiesta Lace Scarf pattern is designed by myself, Valerie of Valerie Baber Designs and can be worn in many different styles. It’s an easy to crochet pattern. You can use most Fingerling/Sock weight yarns for this design.
Yarn used In the photo is the Party of Five mini skeins by http://www.sweetgeorgiayarns.com in soft merino wool mini skein set. Show in the gradient colour way of light to dark gray to black called Graphite, 3 ply sock yarn weight merino wool. Each Tough Love Sock fingering weight set contains five 105-yard mini-skeins for a total of 525 yards.
Various crochet patterns by Valerie Baber Designs are available at:
Follow me on my Instagram, Twitter and here on my Blog for the newest patterns, free patterns, weaving adventure, crochet journey and other fiber related items.
The NEW Modern Essence Scarf crochet pattern is an easy to make pattern that has a modern contemporary style perfect for any wardrobe. Designed just for you to warm your day with elegance and style. Wear this contemporary scarf on the outside or inside of your coat for a different look. Made with a DK weight yarn to keep you warm and cozy in the colder days. Easy to crochet pattern that is perfect in any colour combination including neutrals, bright and bold or soft pastels. Change the colours so there are stripes of colour or use gradient colours that move from light to dark for another unique touch.
Yarn: Takes approximately 230 yards / 210 m of DK weight yarn of your choice if you are making a solid coloured scarf add a bit of yarn in a contrasting colour if you are making with a different coloured trim. You can use most DK weight yarns for this design just make sure you check your tension if before starting especially if you are using a different yarn. Makes changes at your end if necessary.
Yarn Used: The dark gray scarf is made with 1 skein of Sweetgeorgia Yarns 100% Superwash Merino Wool DK 256 yards / 234 m per skein and the light gray scarf was made with 2 balls of Diamond Luxury Fine Merino Superwash DK 138 yards / 125 m per ball plus a bit of another colour for the trim.
Various crochet patterns by Valerie Baber Designs are available at:
Follow me on my Instagram, Twitter and here on my Blog for the newest patterns, free patterns, weaving adventure, crochet journey and other fiber related items.
The other week I decided I wanted to learn clasped weft weaving. With 3 colours in hand I decided to warp the dark purple and use the 2 lighter colours on the weft. One is hand painted Colour way of light purple, blue and hint of mauve pink and the other a tonal hand painted merino wool in the mauve pink colour. I love using merino wool it is so soft and lovely to wear.
The great part about clasped weft weaving is your free to decide on each row how far to move each colour. You can do so many things with this pattern. Check out the various YouTube videos online for great demonstrations on how to do this weaving technique.
Clasped weft weaving is something I want to explore further in the future. Maybe some mug rugs will be next.
Various crochet patterns by Valerie Baber Designs are available at:
Follow me on my Instagram, Twitter and here on my Blog for the newest patterns, free patterns, weaving adventure, crochet journey and other fiber related items.
The Contemporary Scarf Crochet Pattern Collection #1: includes 4 patterns with a classic contemporary and timeless design with a modern touch. Available at: Etsy www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com
Each pattern is Easy to crochet and is designed by Valerie Baber Designs adding a unique touch to your wardrobe. Includes the Modern Edge Collar Scarf, Lattice Lace Scarf, Scalloped Edge Collar Scarf and the Classic Crochet Ribbed Scarf.
You can change the look by changing the yarns used in each design from solid colours, gradient colours, hand painted yarns or a wonderful neutral colour. Perfect to keep you warm and cozy in the cooler months. You can also use them as and accent scarf for your favourite shirt, sweater or T shirt.
REGULAR $32.00 TO PURCHASE ALL 4 PATTERNS SEPARATELY SAVING YOU SAVE $7.00.
Written in US terminology.
Patterns are written with charts, photos and written instructions to make it easy for you to make.
The Modern Edge Collar scarf uses Worsted weight yarn, Lattice Lace, Scalloped Edge collar scarf and the Classic Crochet Ribbed scarf all use fingerling/sock weight yarn.
The Floral Scarves Crochet Collection #1: includes 4 patterns with an elegant timeless design and a floral touch. Available at: Etsy www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com
Each pattern is designed by Valerie Baber Designs adding a unique touch to your wardrobe. Includes the Rose Cowl Scarf, Juliette Floral Scarf, Floral Eyelet Long scarf and the Floral Eyelet Collar scarf. These one of a kind designs are perfect for any wardrobe and add a floral touch to warm you in the colder months. You can also use them as and accent scarf for your favourite shirt, sweater or T shirt.
REGULAR $32.00 TO PURCHASE ALL 4 PATTERNS SEPARATELY SAVING YOU $7.00.
Written in US terminology.
Patterns are written with charts, photos and written instructions to make it easy for you to make.
Rose Cowl uses Worsted weight yarn, Juilette uses fingerling/sock weight yarn, Floral Eyelet long scarf uses fingerling/sock weight yarn and Floral Eyelet collar scarf uses worsted and fingerling/sock weight yarn. Visit my Etsy store for more information.
You can also purchase each of these patterns separately as well as other designs by Valerie Baber Designs. See my listings for more patterns.
Floral Elegance Scarf is available in ivory, dark gray, mauve or a pink hand painted merino wool colour way. Each is a little different in colour and floral design to add a unique touch to your wardrobe. This design is part of the SPECIAL EDITION scarves that have more detailed embellishment and/or expensive fibers added to each handmade piece. Add a floral touch to your wardrobe. Can be worn as a scarf on your coat or with a sweater or shirt to accent it. A beautiful accented scarf for winter that can carry you through the cooler days of spring.
Other styles of scarves, hand warmers, yarn and patterns to make your own are also on my websites:
Ocean inspired scarves in various styles handmade and designed by myself. Each one is One of a Kind in colour or style. Made with hand painted merino wool to give each design a special touch and style. You can see more information about each one at http://www.valeriebaberdesigns.etsy.com or http://www.valeriebaberknitwear.com
Many new designs including scarves, hand warmers as well as yarns and patterns to make your own scarf. Have a beautiful day today!
