Twist and Texture

 

I finally got a photo of the texture that developed during wet finishing.  Below is how the cloth looked in the loom...

Now, the cloth in the loom was really pretty.  And no doubt I may do something similar in the future.  I'm planning some white on white silk (warp) and cashmere (weft) scarves, and I think this sort of design will look really lovely.

But the goal was to use up some of that single 6 with high twist 'energy' in it, and on the whole, I'm pleased with the results.  

As tea towels, I think they will work (i.e. they will dry dishes) and they have an interesting texture.  The cloth feels a bit 'rough', so not something one would want to wear against the skin.  But neither will most people want to work with a highly energized yarn, which generally means a yarn with a high degree of twist.

There are other ways to encourage 'tracking' (for that is what this is, ultimately, just an extreme version of it) by using yarn with lycra in it, or the differential between yarn that will full and shrink versus one that will not.  I've done both and they can be quite effective.  And yes, sample before setting up for a big project because the results can vary in ways that might not be intended - or welcomed.

I've included the selvedge in the photo although you'll have to biggify the image to really see it.  It is not a plain weave selvedge and it is not straight.  And it doesn't matter.  The selvedges are secure enough for use.  

Normally I would give tea towels another hard press after hemming, but I don't think I'm going to bother.

I'm down to the last (maybe) 4 towels, and once those are woven, I'm going to move on to the next stash challenge - the silk and cashmere.  

I'm looking forward to working with some co-operative yarn for a while.  And weaving down more of my stash.