Valley Yarns #148 Tartan Throw

Valley Yarns Tartan Throw

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Tartan Throw is a woven blanket designed by Wendy Bestor that combines classic plaid aesthetics with a practical, cozy fabric. This throw measures 32" x 59" plus fringe when finished, making it an ideal size for draping over furniture or wrapping up during cooler months. The design offers a compromise between traditional tartan patterns and simplified color work, featuring enough color variation to create visual interest without requiring frequent color changes during the weaving process.

Weave Structure and Techniques

This project uses a twill weave structure as its foundation, which creates the characteristic diagonal lines and texture associated with tartan fabrics. The twill construction contributes to the blanket's durability and drape while allowing the striped color pattern to display effectively across the warp and weft.

The design employs striped patterning throughout, achieved by carefully planning the warp color order and maintaining consistent weft color sequences. The warp is dressed with a repeating color sequence of Lava, Columbine, Chokecherry, and Slate, with specific heddle counts determining how many ends of each color are threaded onto each shaft. This methodical approach to color placement creates the tartan effect without requiring complex pattern changes during weaving.

The blanket begins with plain weave picks in scrap yarn to secure the weft, followed by 4 picks of plain weave in Slate to create a smooth finished edge. This foundational weaving technique ensures structural integrity and a professional appearance at the blanket's edges.

Equipment and Loom Specifications

The Tartan Throw requires a 4-shaft loom that is at least 38" wide to accommodate the project's dimensions. The warp is set at 16 epi (ends per inch) using a 2/dent threading in an 8-dent reed, which determines the fabric's density and final appearance. The finished width in the reed is 36 3/8", with a total warp length of 3 yards containing 582 ends including 2 floating selvedges for clean side edges.

Yarns and Materials

This project uses JaggerSpun Heather, a 100% wool yarn available in multiple colorways. The specific colors called for are:

• Columbine — 672 yards for warp and 436 yards for weft
• Slate — 672 yards for warp and 436 yards for weft
• Chokecherry — 204 yards for warp and 125 yards for weft
• Lava — 210 yards for warp and 129 yards for weft

Each hank of JaggerSpun Heather contains 498 yards, making it easy to calculate yardage requirements. The 100% wool content creates a naturally cozy and durable fabric suitable for blanket use. The designer notes that Chokecherry and Lava work as complementary colors to multiple other shades, encouraging weavers to experiment with color substitutions for the Columbine and Slate if desired.

Weaving Process

After dressing the loom with the planned warp color order and threading according to the heddle counts provided, weavers begin by leaving 8" of unwoven warp at the beginning for fringe. Plain weave picks using scrap yarn secure the initial weft and are later removed when finishing the fringe. The actual blanket weaving begins with 4 picks of plain weave in Slate to establish a smooth finished edge, after which the main color pattern continues according to the draft specifications.

The blanket is designed to weave up quickly, allowing crafters to complete a finished project in a reasonable timeframe. This efficiency makes it an excellent choice for weavers seeking a satisfying completed project before seasonal weather changes.