Valley Yarns #157 Tributaries Silk Scarf

Valley Yarns Tributaries Silk Scarf

What is Being Made

The Tributaries Silk Scarf is a luxurious woven accessory designed by Wendy Bestor for beginning to intermediate weavers. This finished scarf measures 7 ⅜" wide by 65 ½" long, plus an additional 4" of twisted fringe on each end, making it an elegant and versatile piece suitable for everyday wear or special occasions.

Weaving Structure and Techniques

This project introduces weavers to twill weaving, a step up from basic plain weave. The design features striped patterns created through a thoughtful color arrangement in both the warp and weft. The pattern is woven on a 4-shaft loom, which allows for the interlocking diagonal lines characteristic of twill fabric. The scarf begins and ends with 4 picks of plain weave to stabilize the edges, with the main pattern section woven for approximately 72" at a consistent beat of 24 picks per inch (ppi).

Stitches and Weaving Details

• Twill weave creates the primary fabric structure with its distinctive diagonal appearance
• Plain weave sections frame the beginning and end of the scarf for stability
• Twisted fringe finishing on both ends adds a refined, handcrafted detail
• Floating selvedges (2 total) are incorporated into the 207-end warp to create clean, finished edges

Materials and Equipment

This project uses Valley Yarns 20/2 Silk, a 100% spun silk yarn with an impressive yardage of 4900 yards per pound. The warp is wound with 282 yards of color #645 Marine and 339 yards of color #644 Aqua, while the weft uses 457 yards of Marine. The color order creates subtle striped effects throughout the finished scarf.

Equipment required includes a 4-shaft loom with a minimum 9" weaving width, a 12-dent reed (with yarn set at 2 ends per dent for a sett of 24 epi—ends per inch), 1 shuttle, and 1 bobbin. The warp is 3 yards long and consists of 207 ends total.

Why This Project is Ideal for Developing Weavers

Designer Wendy Bestor emphasizes that beginning weavers should not hesitate to work with luxurious yarns like silk. Silk is described as an absolute joy to work with and comes in a wonderful array of colors. The Tributaries draft bridges the gap between plain weave fundamentals and more complex twill structures, making it an excellent learning project that produces a sophisticated, wearable finished piece. The simple color arrangement and straightforward threading make it accessible while the silk yarn elevates the final result to heirloom quality.

Finishing Instructions

After weaving, the scarf is cut from the loom and the scrap yarn is removed. The fringe is twisted by hand for a polished finish. The completed scarf is handwashed in mild soap, air dried, and can be pressed with an iron on the silk setting if needed, ensuring the fabric maintains its lustrous appearance and drape.