Weave a Scarf with Stainless Steel?

Back in 2012 or so, when I was still the assistant editor over at Handwoven, and Easy Weaving with Little Looms wasn’t even an idea—much less a magazine—I stumbled upon some stainless-steel yarn from Habu Textiles. Available in just a few colors, the yarn featured a stainless-steel core with fine silk wrapped around it. I was instantly enamored with the super-fine yarn and the creative possibilities. I, of course, wondered what it would be like woven into cloth.

I got my answer a few years later in the very first issue of Easy Weaving with Little Looms when Stephanie Flynn Sokolov wove us an incredible scarf using that very same stainless-steel yarn. Stephanie chose to pair the stainless-steel yarn with a linen-blend yarn for the warp, setting both very loosely. The stainless steel was then used by itself in the weft, once again with a low sett to create a light and lacy fabric perfect for warm weather.

The stainless-steel yarn used in the Lobster Pot Scarf keeps this loosely sett scarf open, airy, and stable, rather than sleazy.

The design really uses the stainless-steel yarn in such a clever way. Because the stainless steel has memory, the loosely sett plain weave isn’t sleezy. The stainless steel doesn’t shift in the warp or weft, and in doing so (or not doing so, as the case may be), it keeps the linen-blend yarn in place. Brilliant!

Also, I have to imagine that given that same memory in the stainless-steel yarn, this scarf has oodles of design potential. Imagine a scarf where you can drape it artistically around your neck and it stays put—even if you’re on the go or it’s windy.

Interested in checking out this pattern? Subscribers can access the Lobster Pot Scarf in the Summer 2016 issue in the Little Looms Library, and All Access subscribers can view and download the PDF of the pattern directly. (Not a subscriber yet? Learn more about the different options here!)

Happy Weaving!
Christina

PS: The original linen-blend yarn that Stephanie used in the scarf has been discontinued. Try DMC Natura Linen Yarn or Araucania Alga as a substitute. Handspinners can also find instructions for a handspun option in the Summer 2015 issue of Spin Off, which features an alternate version of the Lobster Pot Scarf.

Originally published 6/30/2022; updated 5/14/2025.