The Gorgeous Gradients Class project
The project for Gorgeous Gradients is a cowl. You’ll be weaving a color gradient with at least three colors in the warp, and a color gradient with at least three colors in the weft. One option (plain weave) gives you a double gradient that’s the same on both sides, and the other (3/1 twill) gives you a reversible gradient (different on front and back).
Some examples of projects you might weave:
 cowl in 3/2 cotton, plain weave, warp fringe. 5 color gradient in warp and weft. |  cowl in 10/2 cotton, plain weave, warp fringe. 5 color gradient in warp and weft. |
 cowl in 10/2 cotton, 3/1 twill, weft fringe. 6 color reversible gradient in warp and weft. |  cowl in 10/2 cotton, plain weave, no fringe. 6 color gradient in warp and weft. |
Sign up for Gorgeous Gradients here!
Construction
You can choose to create the cowl with warp fringe, with weft fringe, or with hems (no fringe).
Draft
You will choose one of two structures in which to weave the cowl: plain weave and 3/1 twill. Each gives you different design options and these will be explained in Week One, with examples.
Rigid heddle weavers should use plain weave; shaft weavers can choose between plain weave and 3/1 twill.
Yarn
You can choose one of three yarns to work with: 10/2, 8/2, and 3/2 cotton yarn.
Yarn colors
You will be using at least three colors of yarn in the warp to create a multicolor warp gradient, and at least three colors of yarn in the weft, to create a multicolor weft gradient. You will need 1.5 ounces of each color for all sizes except 3/2 cotton, for which you will need an additional 1.5 ounces in warp and another 1.5 ounces in weft (in any of the colors you’ve chosen or in new ones). But more colors won’t hurt – and will give you more options!
Instructions on selecting colors will be released in the online classroom on September 11, four weeks before class begins (a notification email will be sent out at the same time). This should give you plenty of time to order yarns if you don’t have them in your stash.
Lunatic Fringe Yarns is graciously providing a coupon for Gorgeous Gradient participants for 10% off orders over $50, and – for orders over $100 – an ADDITIONAL bonus Mini cone in a whimsical color chosen by your favorite Lunatics. The coupon code will come with your instructions on September 11!
Project Summary:
Structure: Plain weave or 3/1 twill.
Finished dimensions: 9” x 32” after wet-finishing and before sewing
Width in reed: 10” (16” if using weft fringe – 10” woven plus 6” gap for fringe)
Warp length:
- 2.5 yards for shaft looms (includes 22” for sampling, 26” loom waste, 10% allowance for take-up and shrinkage)
- 2 yards for rigid heddle looms (includes 16” for sampling and 16” loom waste, 10% allowance for take-up and shrinkage)
Woven length: 36” (includes 4” for hems)