Valley Yarns #191 Shadow Scarf

Valley Yarns Shadow Scarf: Elegant Woven Design with Linked Birdseye Twill

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Shadow Scarf is a sophisticated woven scarf measuring 9 inches by 66½ inches plus fringe. This downloadable weaving pattern, Draft #191, was designed by Anita Thompson and is based on a modified workshop draft. The scarf showcases an elegant construction that emphasizes movement and drape through thoughtful color changes and structural design.

Weave Structure and Techniques

This scarf uses a Linked Birdseye Twill weave structure, which creates visual interest through the interplay of warp and weft. The design incorporates striped patterning achieved through strategic color placement in the warp. The color transitions between Shadow and Silver Gray in the warp, combined with the inherent characteristics of Tencel yarn, create movement and visual depth in the finished textile.

The weaving technique involves hemstitching in 4-end bundles along the edges to secure the woven structure. Weavers begin with several picks of plain weave using scrap yarn to spread the warp evenly, then add hemstitching with Silver Gray yarn before proceeding with the main weave pattern. The finished scarf benefits from the natural drape and lustrous sheen of the Tencel fibers.

Equipment Requirements

• 8-shaft loom with minimum 12-inch weaving width
• 1 shuttle and 1 bobbin
• 15-dent reed for proper sett

Yarns and Materials

Warp Yarns:

• Valley Yarns 8/2 Tencel Tonals (100% Lyocell, 3360 yards per pound) in Shadow: 615 yards
• Valley Yarns 8/2 Tencel (100% Lyocell, 3360 yards per pound) in Silver Gray: 174 yards

Weft Yarns:

• Valley Yarns 8/2 Tencel (100% Lyocell, 3360 yards per pound) in Silver Gray: 613 yards

The scarf is constructed with 263 warp ends (including 2 floating selvedges) at a sett of 26 ends per inch, set at 2-2-2-1 spacing in the 15-dent reed. The warp length is 3 yards, resulting in a finished width in the reed of 10.11 inches. The finished piece measures 9 inches wide by 66½ inches long plus fringe.

Design Inspiration and Characteristics

The Shadow Scarf design draws from a workshop draft by Margie Thompson presented at NEWS. The Linked Birdseye Twill structure, combined with the color transitions in Valley Yarns 8/2 Tencel Tonals, creates visual movement throughout the scarf. The natural properties of Tencel—a fiber made from 100% Lyocell—provide both elegant drape and a subtle sheen that enhances the overall sophistication of the finished textile.