Treat Me Right Spa Mat and Soap Pillow

Patterns for the Treat Me Right Rigid-Heddle Spa Loom Mat and Soap Pillow Designed by Liz Gipson

hhhh, a hot soak in the tub is just what the Along the way get a crash course in pick-up doctor ordered. Weave up this spa mat including using a heddle rod, managing two colors, Aand coordinating soap pillow to make the and learning why sometimes weaving upside moments you carve out for yourself even better. down—the warp, not you—makes sense.

1 of 7 | Yarnworker | All rights reserved. © 2013 | Version 2, last revised 6-2013 | $6.95 L @yarnworker C Yarnworker b yarnworker.blogspot.com yarnworker.com Project Specs: Spa Rug Project Specs: Soap Pillow

Made from hemp—a fiber that is extremely durable, naturally resists mold, and takes dye beautifully—these soap pillows will hold up to repeated use.

Made from recycled fibers, this mat is soft underfoot. For safety purposes, always pair rugs with a floor gripper mat available at most home-improvement stores. Yarn Hemp for Knitting; 165 yd/lb 3½ oz per skein (754 yd/lb); DK weight 100% hemp; shown Yarn Remix by Berroco; 216 yd/3½ oz per ball (987 in Dusty Rose (025), Marble (015), Midnight Blue yd/lb); worsted-weight 100% recycled fibers (30% (039), and Sapphire (018) nylon, 27% cotton, 24% acrylic, 10% silk); shown in Almond (3903) and Nightfall (3949); 2 balls each Tools Rigid-heddle loom with a 5" weaving width; color: you will have leftovers 12-dent rigid heddle; pick-up stick at least 6" long; 2 shuttles Tools Rigid-heddle loom with a 25-inch weaving width; 12-dent rigid heddle; 2 shuttles; rod at least Notions Bar of soap, tapestry needle, straight pins 25" long; pick-up stick at least 25" long Warp 4o yd Marble, 34 yd Sapphire Notions Coordinating sewing thread and needle; sturdy yarn such as 5/2 pearl cotton; tapestry Weft 2½ yd accent color (shown in Midnight needle Blue and Dusty Rose); 5½ yd main color (shown in Sapphire) Warp 54 yd Nightfall; 342 yd Almond Warp Ends 59 Weft 53 yd Almond; 246 yd Nightfall Color Order 11 Sapphire/16 Marble/5 Sapphire/16 Warp Ends 264 Marble/11 Sapphire

Color Order 18 Nightfall/228 Almond/18 Nightfall Warp Length 1¼ yd (includes 20" for loom waste; add 13" for each additional soap pillow) Warp Length 1½ yd (includes loom waste of 22") Width In Reed 5" Width In Reed 22" EPI (Ends Per Inch) 12 EPI (Ends Per Inch) 12 PPI (Picks Per Inch) Plain weave 7; pattern 10 PPI (Picks Per Inch) Plain weave 7; pattern 15 Woven Length 11" Woven Length 32½" Finished Size Two 3" × 4½" × 1½" soap pillows; Finished Size 19" × 26" covers a soap bar 2¼" × 3¼" × 1¼"

2 of 7 | Yarnworker | All rights reserved. © 2013 | Version 2, last revised 6-2013 | $6.95 L @yarnworker C Yarnworker b yarnworker.blogspot.com yarnworker.com Directions for the Spa Rug Set the pick-up stick on its edge so that it raises the picked-up warp ends. Take one of your loops and Dress the Loom Using your preferred warping place it under the first picked up end, fold it in half method, warp the loom following the project specs. so that it encases the warp end, and place either end of the loop on the heddle rod (see photo at top left). Take the next loop and place it under the next 2 picked up ends and place the 2 ends of the loop on the heddle rod. Continue in this manner until you have placed all of the loops onto the heddle rod.

To create a shed with the pick-up stick, tip it up on its edge. Encase each set of picked up threads with your yarn loops. Then slide each end of the loops onto the rod. Remove the pick-up stick. Place the rigid heddle in the down position. Working behind the heddle rod and using the pick-up stick, pick up the warp ends in the following order: 1 down *2 up, 2 down*; repeat (*) 32 times 1 down This is the opposite configuration from the heddle rod.

The warp with the heddle rod and pick-up stick in place.

Place the Pick-up Stick and Heddle Rod With the rigid heddle in the down position Everyone finds their own best method for lifting the heddle rod. One and working behind the rigid heddle, pick up way is to use the rigid heddle as a prop. the warp ends in the following order: Start the Rug Weave scrap yarn to spread the • 1 up warp. Wind a shuttle with all 53 yd of Almond weft. • *2 down, 2 up*; repeat (*) 32 times Leaving a tail 4 times the width of the warp, weave 15 • 1 up picks of plain weave. Secure the beginning of the rug Place the rigid heddle in the neutral position. Cut using the tail and the embroidery stitch (see Tips sturdy yarn into thirty-four 12" lengths. Knot the and Tricks). These stitches will not be visible in the ends together 5" from the folded end to form a loop. finished project.

3 of 7 | Yarnworker | All rights reserved. © 2013 | Version 2, last revised 6-2013 | $6.95 L @yarnworker C Yarnworker b yarnworker.blogspot.com yarnworker.com Weave the Pattern Place the heddle in neutral. Place the pick-up stick on its edge (see photo at top right on page 3). Still using Almond, weave 5 picks in this shed, beating every weft pick—this will help you maintain good selvedges. Be sure to catch the selvedge each time. It isn’t necessary to return the heddle to the neutral position each time. You can leave the heddle hanging in front of the heddle block after beating if you wish. Lay the pick-up stick flat and place the heddle in the up position. Weave 1 pick of plain weave. Return the heddle to the neutral position and using the heddle rod, lift the warp threads it encases and weave 5 picks in this shed, beating every weft pick. Front and back of the rug. One way to lift the heddle rod is to fold the rod over the heddle (see photo at bottom right on page 3). Weave the pattern in Nightfall for 25¾". Switch to Or if you prefer, you can lift the heddle rod while Almond and weave 2 more pattern repeats. End by the rigid heddle rests on the warp in front of the weaving 15 picks of plain weave and secure using heddle block, eliminating the need to place the the embroidery stitch. rigid heddle in neutral after each beat. With either method you will have to lift the heddle with one Finish Remove the cloth from the loom. Machine hand and place the weft with the other. wash using the gentle cycle. Lay flat to dry or tumble dry on low, removing before fully dry. Trim Weave 1 pick of plain weave in the up position. the fringe to ¼" from the embroidery stitch. This completes one pattern repeat. Place the rug wrong side up. Fold over the Weave one more pattern repeat with Almond for embroidery stitch. Then fold the edge again so a total of 2 repeats. Switch to Nightfall, either by that the plain weave is entirely on the back side leaving a tail and tucking it into the next shed or of the rug. Whipstitch the fold in place using by using the ply-splitting method (see Tips and coordinating sewing thread. Tricks). Variations You can try a variety of worsted-weight yarns in this pattern. Although most yarns are labeled “handwash only,” many can stand up to repeated washings. Always sample and wash repeatedly to be sure. For a completely different look, try using cotton chenille (see at left). Chenille has a tendency to “worm,” or work its way out of the pattern. You can put this attribute to use to create a highly textural rug. It is hard to control the outcome, so each rug will be one-of-a-kind. There are also a number of recycled cottons on From left to right, cotton chenille in a Remix warp; recycled cotton warp the market similar to Remix. These yarns are with organic cotton weft; the original rug. made from shredding the waste from the clothing 4 of 7 | Yarnworker | All rights reserved. © 2013 | Version 2, last revised 6-2013 | $6.95 L @yarnworker C Yarnworker b yarnworker.blogspot.com yarnworker.com industry and spinning it into yarn. In the center Weave an additional sample are two Lion Brand yarns (see photo at left 1¾" of plain weave, on page 4). Their recycled cotton yarn is used in ending in a down the warp and border and Nature’s Choice Organic shed. Cotton in the weft. You can substitute any of the yarns mentioned here—probably most worsted- Weave the Pattern It weight yarns—and follow the project specs as listed. is easier to weave this Sampling is always encouraged! pattern upside down. Warp floats are woven Directions for the Soap Pillow in the up position with the pick-up stick Dress the loom Using your preferred warping pushed to the back of method, warp the loom following the project specs. the rigid heddle (see photo at left). You When working with two colors bring Place the Pick-up Stick With the heddle in the the non-working weft along for the don’t have to return ride! down position and working behind the rigid heddle, the heddle to neutral pick up in the following order: or leave it hanging in front of the warp. The floats • 5 ends down will appear on the back side of the cloth as you • *1 up, 1 down*; repeat (*) 4 times weave. To check your work, flip the loom over! • 2 up Place the heddle in the up position and pull the pick- • *1 down, 1 up*; repeat (*) 4 times up stick toward the rigid heddle (see photo at lower • 5 ends down left). This forms your accent-color shed. Weave 3 Start the Soap Pillow Weave scrap yarn to spread picks in this shed, using the accent color. Beat each the warp. pick to maintain even selvedges.

When starting a new color, either leave a tail to tuck into the next shed or use the ply-splitting method (see Tips and Tricks).

When weaving with two colors, wrap the working weft around the weft that is not in use, securing it to the selvedge as you work (see photo at top).

Push the pick-up stick to the back of the loom. Switch to a down shed and using the main color, weave 3 picks of plain weave.

Some prefer weaving warp floats since you don’t have to place the heddle in the neutral potion or let the heddle hang in front of the reed, This completes one pattern repeat: 3 pattern which can cause tension problems. It is easy to forget to push the pick- picks of the accent color in the same shed followed up stick to the back of the loom when you weave an up plain-weave pick. Check your work often! by 3 plain-weave picks of the main color (down, up, down). Using the main color, weave your first pick leaving a tail 4 times the width of the warp. Weave 1" plain Weave 4 more pattern repeats for a total of 5 repeats. weave. Weave another 2¾" of plain weave. This Using the tail and the embroidery stitch (see Tips measurement includes the 3 picks of plain weave and Tricks), secure the beginning of the cloth. from the final pattern repeat. 5 of 7 | Yarnworker | All rights reserved. © 2013 | Version 2, last revised 6-2013 | $6.95 L @yarnworker C Yarnworker b yarnworker.blogspot.com yarnworker.com Secure the end with embroidery stitch. Once you have worked your way across the fold, leave the tail, remove the pins, and turn the fabric Leave 2" of open warp and weave a second piece of right side out to form a tube. Place the soap bar in cloth just as the first or use different weft colors if the tube. Using the tails and the lacing stitch, sew desired. together either end. Knot each tail, then work it back into the cloth and cut. Y Stitching the Soap Pillow Remove the cloth from the loom.

Machine or handwash. Lay flat to air-dry or tumble dry on low, removing before fully dry. Cut the two pieces of cloth apart. Steam-press if needed to have the cloth lie flat. Trim the fringe to ¼".

Lay the cloth wrong side up. Lay the bar of soap on the fabric and wrap the cloth around it.

Determine a good point to fold back each end of the fabric. You will be sewing the back seam where the folds meet.

Leave a generous seam allowance of at least ¾". Pin the fabric in place on either side once you have determined the fit. With a tapestry needle and at least 24" of the main color, start working at one edge of the fold, leaving an 8" tail. Work the lacing stitch along the fold (see photo below), tightening the working yarn as you go.

Liz Gipson seeks new ways to give her loom a workout. She draws inspiration from her home that is always in need of a The lacing stitch is a nice way to make a neat seam that is easy to new textile. She is the owner of Yarnworker, tighten. It is shown here loose and worked along the selvedge edge to yarnworker.com. illustrate the stitch. You will want to cinch the yarn as you work.

Embroidery Stitch Ply Splitting: An Invisible Join A handy stitch to quickly secure This is a great method to use if your weft is made the warp and get to weaving faster. up of multiple plies. It leaves a seamless join.

Tension the yarn and place the needle under your desired number of ends—in this case 3.

Before you beat the last pick, bring the tail out 1 or 2‘‘ from the selvedge. Split the yarn in half by untwisting it until you can pull it apart. If there are more than two plies, divide them into two groups as evenly as possible.

Forming the letter C, thread the needle over the bottom curve of the C to form a loop around the warp.

Leave one ply or group of plies sticking out from the warp. Take the other back into the warp and wrap it Pull the loop tight and continue working in around the selvedge thread and then lay it back in that this manner across the warp. Keep the same shed. Pull it through a few picks beyond the other yarn under tension at all times. ply bundle so they overlap slightly.