Specifications
| Brand: | Valley Yarns |
| Designer: | Leslie Ann Bestor |
| Craft: | Weaving |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Loom Type: | Rigid Heddle Loom |
| Techniques and Construction: | Stripes |
| Pattern Code: | 197 |
Product Description
Unmercerized 8/2 cotton is perfect for Valley Yarns Polka Dot Towel, and here's a draft to weave them on the rigid heddle loom. The natural
color is the perfect canvas for playing with the multi-colored Bamboo Pop,
making bright pops of color with a simple pick-up pattern. Bamboo Pop has
great choices in variegated colorways; choose one to match your kitchen.
Equipment:
Rigid
Heddle loom at least 20” wide, one shuttle (recommended: double boat shuttle,
see note on page 2), 2 pick-up sticks
Warp Yarn:
Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotton (100% Cotton; 3360
yards/lb.)
795 yards shown in 8176 Natural
Universal yarn Bamboo Pop (50% Cotton/
50% Bamboo; 100g/292yds)
78
yards shown in 204 Happy Birdie
Weft
Yarn: 801
yards Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotton (100% Cotton; 3360 yards/lb.) shown in 8176
Natural
Warp
Length: 90”
of 349 ends
Sett: 20 epi (2/dent in a 10–dent reed) for 8/2 cotton, 10 epi (1/dent in a 10–dent
reed), see special threading instructions
Finished Dimensions: 15½” wide and 27” long, makes 2
Weave Structure: Plain Weave with pick-up floats
Valley Yarns Polka Dot Towel
What Is Being Made
The Valley Yarns Polka Dot Towel is a woven homeware project designed by Leslie Ann Bestor that produces two finished dish towels measuring 15½" × 27" each. This downloadable weaving draft creates absorbent, functional towels suitable for kitchen use, with decorative polka dot and stripe patterning woven directly into the fabric.
Weave Structure and Techniques
This project uses plain weave as the foundation structure, enhanced with pick-up floats to create the polka dot design elements. The combination of these techniques allows weavers to build dimensional surface patterns while maintaining the absorbent qualities essential for dish towels. The striped effect is achieved through strategic color placement in the warp using two complementary yarn types.
Stitches and Threading
The towel is woven on a rigid heddle loom at least 20" wide using a 10-dent reed with a sett of 20 epi (ends per inch) for the primary yarn. The threading pattern is specialized: the 8/2 unmercerized cotton is doubled throughout the warp, threaded at 2 threads per dent, while the Bamboo Pop yarn is threaded singly at 1 thread per dent in every 3rd slot. This dual-sett approach accommodates the different yarn weights and creates the visual interest of integrated stripes and polka dots. The project requires two pick-up sticks for manipulating floats and one shuttle (preferably a double boat shuttle) for efficient weft insertion.
Materials and Yarn Specifications
The warp consists of Valley 8/2 Unmercerized Cotton in Natural (#8176), requiring 795 yards, combined with Universal Yarns Bamboo Pop in Happy Birdie (#204), requiring 78 yards. The weft uses Valley 8/2 Unmercerized Cotton in Natural, requiring 801 yards. The 8/2 cotton is 100% unmercerized cotton at 3360 yards per pound, chosen specifically for its ideal weight and superior absorbency in dish towels. The Bamboo Pop blend of 50% bamboo and 50% cotton adds color variation and visual "zing" to the striped and dotted design. The total warp length is 90", with a finished width in the reed of 19".
Design Flexibility
Weavers can customize the finished towels by selecting different colorways of the Bamboo Pop yarn to coordinate with kitchen décor or personal preference, while maintaining the same weave structure and technical approach.
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