Weaving Without Fear

I’ve seen fear of failure paralyze would-be weavers and long-time weavers alike. I chimed in on a Facebook post by someone seeking advice on how to get started on a rigid-heddle loom. The person had read everything about direct warping and had even watched videos about it, but was still afraid to start. While everyone else suggested baby steps, my advice was to grab yarn and jump in feet first.

Then more recently, I heard a phrase that went along the lines of “If you try, you may fail, but if you don’t try, you will fail for sure.” Shortly after, I heard it again—maybe not the exact wording but with the same sentiment. I took it more seriously the second time because, clearly, the cosmos was sending me a message.

In fact, it made me sit up straight and start wondering whether there are things I don’t do because I’m afraid of failing, especially in my weaving.

When she first had the idea to weave placemats out of raffia—in both the warp and weft—Susan was afraid it would be a disaster. However, she didn't let that fear keep her from trying anyway. Instead of a making a mess, she ended up weaving the beautiful Raffia Placemats from the Summer 2020 issue. Photo by George Boe

This fear doesn’t just hold back new weavers. When it comes to weaving with 120/2 silk I definitely have a fear of failure. I bought some 120/2 silk, intending to weave with it, but I just can’t seem to bring myself to put it on my loom. I want the scarf woven with it, but my fear of ends breaking stops me.

When trying a new technique, it can belp to weave up something that will still be useful even if you make a few mistakes. Afraid to try weaving pebble weave for the first time? The Follow Your Star Bookmarks by Alision Irwin from the Winter 2022 issue are not only beginner friendly, they'll also work just as well if there are few misplaced floats. Photo by Matt Graves

Personally, I don't want to have my weaving ruled by fear, so I plan on pushing my fear of failure to the back of my mind. I’m going to try weaving with that silk and try anything else that I’ve thought about weaving but was worried wouldn’t work. I encourage you to do the same! Why let the people without fear of failure have all the fun?

Weave well,

Susan

P.S. Here are a few more tips that I hope will help you overcome weaving fears:

• It’s ok to start small. Sample with new materials to see if they’re as challenging as you imagined. Want to try a more complex structure such as twill or overshot on the rigid-heddle loom? Use these techniques as small-scale design elements such as a border on either end.
• When trying a new technique, it can help to weave up something that will still be useful even if you make a few mistakes. Bookmarks and towels, for example, will still be functional even if they aren’t perfect.
• If you long to weave a large project, but find it daunting, try breaking it down into smaller chunks! If you start a pin-loom blanket, but decide not to finish, you can always turn your pieces into a home décor item or blanket.