Valley Yarns #136 Southwest Sunrise

Valley Yarns Southwest Sunrise Scarf

Project Overview

The Southwest Sunrise Scarf is a woven design created by Paula Veleta that combines modern aesthetics with traditional weaving techniques. This downloadable PDF pattern is designed for weavers using a rigid heddle loom and produces a finished scarf measuring 11 inches wide by 60 inches long, plus fringe.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a decorative scarf featuring a contemporary interpretation of tartan plaid. The design uses an asymmetrical grid pattern created through strategic color placement in both the warp and weft. The scarf showcases three primary colors with a fourth accent color used to delineate blocks, resulting in a visually striking piece inspired by Southwest color palettes.

Weaving Technique

Double Heddle Weaving is the primary technique used for this scarf. This method involves using two heddles simultaneously on a rigid heddle loom to create structured blocks of color. The double heddle approach allows the weaver to work with multiple color blocks in an organized, repeating pattern while maintaining the integrity of the weave structure.

The weave structure is plain weave, which is the fundamental over-and-under interlacing of warp and weft threads. This classic structure provides a stable, balanced fabric suitable for scarves and provides an excellent foundation for the color blocking technique employed in this design.

Color and Design Elements

The scarf incorporates striped and blocked patterns created through careful warp color ordering and strategic weft color placement. The design uses the following Valley Yarns 8/2 Tencel colors:

• Sienna – 544 yards
• Deep Sea Coral – 392 yards
• Straw – 164 yards
• Gold – 48 yards (used as a delineating color)

The asymmetrical grid created by these colors produces visual interest while the fourth color (Gold) defines the boundaries between color blocks in both directions, creating a modern take on traditional tartan plaid patterns.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Southwest Sunrise Scarf uses Valley Yarns 8/2 Tencel, which is composed of 100% lyocell fiber. Tencel is a semi-synthetic cellulose fiber known for its smooth texture, lustrous appearance, and drape. The yarn specification of 8/2 indicates a two-ply yarn with eight wraps per inch, providing a medium weight suitable for scarves. The total yardage available is 3360 yards per pound, allowing for efficient yardage planning.

The pattern requires a total warp length of 3 yards with 240 ends, set at 20 ends per inch (epi). This sett creates a fabric with good structure while showcasing the yarn's lustrous qualities.

Equipment and Tools Required

Weavers will need the following equipment to complete this project:

• Rigid heddle loom, minimum 15 inches wide
• Two 10-dent reeds for double heddle weaving
• Four stick shuttles or one boat shuttle with four bobbins for managing multiple weft colors
• Fringe twister for finishing the scarf ends

Warp Preparation

The warp is prepared following a specific color order chart that establishes the foundation for the scarf's visual pattern. The pattern includes 40 ends of Straw, 72 ends of Deep Sea Coral, 4 ends of Gold, and 120 ends of Burnt Sienna. Weavers have two options for warping: using a warping board with the two-heddle threading method, or employing the direct warping method. The pattern notes that Tencel's slippery nature requires careful handling during the direct warping method to prevent tension issues. The warp should be allowed to rest on the floor before rolling onto the back beam, with paper inserted when the Tencel begins to wrap back on itself.

Finished Dimensions

The completed scarf measures 11 inches wide by 60 inches long, plus fringe. This length provides a versatile accessory suitable for various styling options, while the width offers comfortable drape around the neck or shoulders.