Mirror warping and overdyeing is a great way to use up leftover yarns to weave a scarf or a throw.
For this throw project, you can search through your yarn stash for all your odd colours of yarns, that you don’t know what to do with. Try to use yarns of similar weights and fibre types. Such as all wools, or cottons. The colours don’t have to be co-ordinated, because you will be overdyeing them, so colour clashes are great for this project.
Mirror Warp
When doing a mirror warp, your warp should be twice as long and half as wide as a normal warp and you will need to put a Cross at BOTH ENDS of the warp. When threading the warp to the loom, you will fold the warp in half and thread both ends of the warp onto the loom, creating a mirror image of the warp.
Mirror Warp Throw Pattern
To weave a standard wool throw, I use the following measurements:
Warp Yarn: 2 ply fine wool
(Briggs & Little)Sett: 8 epi
Width in Reed: 45″
No. Ends: 8 x 45 = 360 Ends
Warp length: 3 yards
To convert this to a Mirror Warp:
Sett: 8 epi
Width in Reed: 45″
No. Ends: 360/2 = 180 Ends
Warp Length: 3 x 2 = 6 yards
Wind all of the warp on the warping board or mill.
Tie the crosses loosely but securely. Also add additional ties to the warp chains at one yard intervals. Remember to put crosses at both ends of the warp. (Please see the previous page for a diagram of mirror warps. You will be overdyeing the whole warp, so make sure that the ties are secure but loose.
Weaving Books: Patterns and Projects
The Big Book of Weaving: Handweaving in the Swedish Tradition: Techniques, Patterns, Designs and Materials
This book covers basic subjects such as warping a loom and making bobbins of weft, as well as more elaborate, highly decorative projects: baby blankets, shawls, table cloths, and linen hand towels.
UK: Big Book of Weaving
The Treasure Chest of Swedish Weaving
Complete pattern drafts for rugs, curtain, table cloths, towels, bedspreads.
UK: Treasure Chest of Swedish Weaving
Key to Weaving: A Textbook of Hand-Weaving Techniques and Pattern Drafts for the Beginning Weaver
A definitive guide to handloom weaving: step-by-step instructions, intricacies of color, fiber and how to use them effectively.
UK: Key to Weaving
Wool Weaving Yarn – EBay Watch
