Weaving for Amateurs

This weekend I went back to Brighton to catch up with some old friends. It was the annual Islingword Street Party – and this is the street where I used to live, so I knew there would be a lot of old faces to see!

During a break in the pub I spotted this book on the shelf:

Weaving for Amateurs - 1941

It was only £3 and looks to contain everything I need to get started on my new loom (aside from a new reed, which I am yet to get hold of).

Weaving for Amateurs

The book was first published in 1941, yet it looks like it’s been sat on a shelf ever since. Aside from explaining what all of the parts of the loom are called and what they do, it talks about all the basics, how to set up, get going, and different types of looms that you might come across.

There are also pages of patterns and explanations how to use them. And a big section at the back about dyeing yarn, vegetable dyes, the ratios to use and the colours you will get.

Then it goes on to talk about spinning – using a spindle, or a spinning wheel, teasing and carding.

All this in 78 pages! I’m quite impressed. Maybe I’ll get around to dyeing my own yarn one day!

7 thoughts on “Weaving for Amateurs

  1. That looks like a fantastic book, I’m glad that it caught your eye! I’m very excited to see how your weaving adventures go. That section about dyeing is particularly interesting, the only natural dye I have ever tried was with black tea (which was a blast!). You should definitely give it a try at least once.

  2. It was at the pub? Well isn’t that something! I love old books and pick them up often at the library when they’re being discarded. This one looks like a winner! I think this is a sign that you are definitely meant to weave!

  3. Hi – thanks for the heads up about the book – sounds fantastic and I have just managed to track down a copy. I was particularly interested in the recipes for natural dyeing as that is what I am concentrating on for my study (humph… when I get around to it !)

    When I am back in Bristol if you fancy an adhoc dyeing session, give me a shout… could do with the inspiration ….

    1. Definately! Maybe you can help me make sense of my loom too! I’m excited about dying with vegetables 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *