Valley Yarns #130 Lily Lace Runner

Valley Yarns Lily Lace Runner

Project Overview

The Valley Yarns Lily Lace Runner is a sophisticated homeware weaving project designed by Barbara Elkins. This downloadable PDF pattern creates an elegant table runner measuring 15.5" x 34.5" in finished dimensions, making it a versatile accent piece for dining tables or sideboards. The runner combines decorative lace sections with structural plain weave, creating visual interest through contrasting weave techniques.

Weave Structure and Techniques

This project uses huck lace as its primary decorative technique, a traditional weaving method that creates open, lacy patterns through strategic thread manipulation. The huck lace sections are interspersed with plain weave areas, which provide structural stability and contrast to the delicate openwork. The combination of these techniques requires careful attention to weaving tension and beat consistency, as the lace sections are prone to being beaten too firmly while the plain weave sections demand sufficient firmness for proper fabric structure.

The weaver should aim for 22 to 23 picks per inch (ppi) under tension, with finished picks measuring approximately 24 per inch after completion. Maintaining an even beat throughout the project is essential for achieving balanced fabric and preventing distortion in the lace pattern.

Equipment Requirements

• 8-shaft loom minimum 24" wide
• 1 boat shuttle
• 1 bobbin
• Sewing thread
• 10-dent or 15-dent reed (threading options provided for both)

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Valley Yarns Lily Lace Runner is woven entirely with Valley Yarns 10/2 Cotton, a premium mercerized cotton yarn offering excellent drape and sheen. This yarn is 100% cotton and provides 4200 yards per pound, making it an efficient choice for larger projects. The pattern calls for 1998 yards of yarn in #8176 Natural, a neutral off-white colorway that complements various décor styles.

Warp and Sett Details

The runner requires a 3-yard warp of 517 ends, set at 30 ends per inch (epi). Weavers can achieve this sett using either a 10-dent reed threaded 3 ends per dent or a 15-dent reed threaded 2 ends per dent, providing flexibility based on available equipment. The width in the reed is 17.2 inches, allowing for the finished width of 15.5 inches after finishing and any take-up.

Threading and Shaft Configuration

The threading pattern is symmetrical and requires careful heddle distribution across all eight shafts. The pattern specifies exact heddle counts for each shaft to ensure proper thread placement: Shaft 1 requires 171 heddles, Shaft 2 requires 178 heddles, Shaft 3 requires 16 heddles, Shaft 4 requires 24 heddles, Shaft 5 requires 40 heddles, Shaft 6 requires 40 heddles, Shaft 7 requires 32 heddles, and Shaft 8 requires 16 heddles. Threading begins on the top row working right to left, and after completing the fourth row, the direction reverses to work left to right from the bottom row upward, with end 259 serving as the pivot point and not repeated during the reversal.

Finishing Considerations

The pattern includes hemming instructions as part of the finishing process, which helps secure the edges and provides a polished appearance to the completed runner. Proper finishing techniques are important for maintaining the integrity of the huck lace pattern and ensuring the runner's longevity as a functional homeware piece.