Taconic Tonic Scarf

Elisabeth Hill is a master of deflected doubleweave. I’ve seen her create truly astounding cloth on 4- and 8-shaft looms (as well as 12- and 16-shaft looms . . . ), so it came as only somewhat of a surprise when she asked whether she could weave a scarf using deflected doubleweave on a rigid-heddle loom. I and anyone else would have been skeptical, but I trusted that Elisabeth could do it—and do it well. Using 2 pick-up sticks and plenty of patience, Elisabeth wove her truly spectacular Taconic Tonic Scarf for Handwoven Loom Theory: Rigid-Heddle Scarf Collection, and now you can, too! Here’s what Elisabeth had to say about her design.

Elisabeth Hill’s Taconic Tonic Scarf is the perfect project if you want to bliss out and weave some slow cloth. PHOTO BY CALEB YOUNG (GOOD FOLK PHOTOGRAPHY)

Designer Elisabeth Hill’s Statement

This spring, I took a small detour that put me on the Taconic State Parkway, a small highway that runs parallel to the New York State Thruway up to Albany. This highway is beautiful in all seasons, but my early-evening drive in May made me recognize the rewards of taking “the slower route.” This project is a tonic for the rush of modern life because it is the slower route. Take the Taconic Tonic—you will be rewarded.

Happy Weaving!

Christina

Project at a Glance

PROJECT TYPE: Rigid-heddle.

STRUCTURE: Deflected doubleweave using pick-up.

EQUIPMENT: Rigid-heddle loom, 12" weaving width; 12-dent heddle; 3 shuttles; 2 pick-up sticks.

YARNS: Taconic (70% merino wool/30% cashmere; 1,143 yd/lb, 125 yd/1¾ oz; Valley Yarns; WEBS.

FINISHED SIZE (after washing): 8" x 72" with 4" fringe.

Reader Update!

We are delighted to share images of the Taconic Tonic scarf by Handwoven reader, Ann-Merete.

Taconic Tonic Scarf. Images courtesy of Ann-Merete Pinnerup

Here's what Ann-Merete had to say about her experience with the scarf:

Usually, I am a 4-shaft weaver and have been seeking for a way to do more exciting patterns of deflected doubleweave than the simple ones you can weave on a 4-shaft loom. I also own a rigid-heddle loom, and when I saw that it was possible to make deflected doubleweave on this one, I thought it would be fun to try. But I must say, I will never do it again! It is much too slow for my temperament. But I love the result very much.

As you can see in the pictures my colours are offwhite, black and multicolour. I wet-finished in the washing machine, 30 degrees and woolsoap and dried it in a dryer. I wove the scarf 2,40 m x 0,37 m. After washing and drying the scarf is 1,74 m x 0,27 m (without fringes).

Congratulations, Ann-Merete, on your beautiful work, and thanks for sending us these great pics!

---

Originally posted on November 7, 2018. Updated on February 25, 2019.