Valley Yarns #176 Snow Diamonds Runner

Valley Yarns Snow Diamonds Runner

What is Being Made

The Snow Diamonds Runner is a reversible woven homeware piece designed by Anita Thompson that measures 41" x 14" (not including fringe). This elegant table runner features a sophisticated diamond pattern inspired by snowflakes against a gray sky, created through the interplay of bamboo and cotton yarns in complementary neutral tones. The finished piece is suitable for display on tables, sideboards, or other home décor applications where a refined, handwoven accent is desired.

Weave Structure and Techniques

This project employs uneven tied overshot, a tied unit weave structure that shares characteristics with traditional overshot weaving while offering distinct advantages. Tied overshot is historically significant as the primary weave structure used in classic "star work" coverlets. The designer chose this structure specifically to explore its unique properties and to showcase how bamboo and cotton fibers work together within this framework.

The weaving technique uses a two-shuttle system where each bamboo pattern pick is followed by a cotton tabby pick. This alternating sequence creates a ground cloth from the warp and tabby weft, upon which pattern picks either float on top or produce halftone effects. The resulting reversible fabric demonstrates the versatility of tied overshot construction.

The stripe technique is incorporated through the strategic use of multiple yarn colors in both warp and weft, creating visual interest and depth within the diamond motif. The density of the weft threads is notably high, with the picks per inch set at twice the ends per inch, requiring careful attention during weaving to prevent common issues associated with densely woven structures.

Stitches and Technical Specifications

While traditional hand stitching is not involved in this woven piece, the weaving draft specifies precise technical parameters:

• Sett: 22½ epi (ends per inch) with a sley of 1-2 in a 15-dent reed
• Density: 45 ppi (picks per inch), creating a densely woven fabric
• Width in reed: 16¼"
• Warp length: 2⅓ yards of 365 ends (including 2 floating selvedges)
• Loom requirement: 8-shaft loom with minimum 20" weaving width

Materials: Yarns and Equipment

Warp Yarns: The warp is constructed from Valley Cotton 10/2, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn with 4200 yards per pound. Three coordinating colors create the foundational structure: Silver Birch (#8418) at 501 yards, Frost Gray (#8798) at 308 yards, and Banana (#1205) at 42 yards for accent details.

Weft Yarns: The weft combines two distinct fiber types for textural and visual contrast. Valley Yarns 5/2 Bamboo, a 100% bamboo yarn with 2100 yards per pound, is used for pattern picks at 504 yards in Natural. This is complemented by Valley Cotton 10/2 in matching colors: Silver Birch (#8418) at 436 yards, Frost Gray (#8798) at 64 yards, and Banana (#1205) at 12 yards for tabby picks and accents.

Equipment: Weaving this runner requires an 8-shaft loom with a minimum weaving width of 20 inches. Additional equipment includes a 15-dent reed, 2 shuttles, 4 bobbins for managing the multiple yarn colors, and a temple to maintain consistent width during weaving. The combination of bamboo's natural sheen with mercerized cotton creates the luminous quality characteristic of the finished piece.

Design Notes

The designer selected the bamboo and cotton combination specifically for its suitability to the tied overshot structure. Bamboo fiber contributes a distinctive lustrous quality that enhances the snowflake-inspired diamond pattern, while the mercerized cotton provides structure and stability. The reversible nature of the weave means both sides of the runner display the pattern, offering flexibility in presentation and use. Weavers may extend the runner length by adding extra warp length as desired, allowing customization of the finished dimensions.