Valley Yarns #242 Pussy Willow Towels

Valley Yarns Pussy Willow Towels

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Pussy Willow Towels are a set of two woven towels designed by Mary M. Jones. These homeware pieces feature a classic overshot pattern inspired by the traditional 4-shaft design known as "Wandering Vine" or "Cat Track & Snail Trail." The towels are constructed to be bold, visually striking from across a room, and exceptionally absorbent thanks to the overshot weave structure with its characteristic floats.

Weave Structure and Techniques

Overshot weaving is the primary technique used in these towels. Overshot is a supplementary weft weaving method that creates raised pattern floats over a plain weave ground, producing both visual interest and enhanced absorbency. The pattern is worked on a 4-shaft loom with a minimum weaving width of 22 inches.

The color palette features tonal green stripes created through careful yarn selection. The warp is threaded in Willow Green, while the weft combines two shades: Elm Green for the pattern weft and Silver Birch for supplementary weft picks. This combination of Willow Green warp crossed with Silver Birch weft creates a subtle, sophisticated base color that complements the bolder Elm Green pattern elements.

Specifications and Sett

The towels are woven at 18 epi (ends per inch) using a 12-dent reed with a threading of 1-2 per dent. The overall picks per inch measure 27 ppi, divided equally between 13.5 pattern picks and 13.5 tabby (plain weave) picks. The warp width in the reed is 19.2 inches, with finished dimensions of 35.5 inches by 15.5 inches per towel.

Materials and Yarn

• Warp Yarn: Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotton (100% unmercerized cotton, 3360 yards per pound) in Willow Green (#5604), requiring 1,384 yards
• Weft Yarn: Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotton in Elm Green (#5934, 1,277 yards) and Silver Birch (#8418, 655 yards)
• Additional Materials: Matching gray cotton sewing thread (approximately 30 yards), scrap yarn for sampling, and a temple for maintaining consistent width

Loom Setup and Equipment

This project requires a 4-shaft loom with a minimum weaving width of 22 inches. Essential equipment includes one single boat shuttle, one double-bobbin boat shuttle, three bobbins for weft management, and a temple to keep the weaving width consistent. The warp is prepared as a 4-yard length of 346 ends (including 2 floating selvedges and 12 inches reserved for sampling), which is then dressed onto the loom according to the threading draft provided in the pattern.

Construction Process

The weaving process begins by winding the 4-yard warp in Willow Green using the weaver's preferred warping method. After dressing the loom and threading according to the provided draft, the weaver centers the threading for the 19.2-inch weaving width. The warp is then tied onto the front apron rod, and a few picks of plain weave using scrap yarn are woven to spread and secure the warp. Bobbins are wound with Silver Birch for the single boat shuttle and with Elm Green for the double-bobbin shuttle, allowing the weaver to alternate between pattern and tabby picks to create the characteristic overshot texture and visual pattern.

The combination of unmercerized cotton yarn ensures excellent absorbency, making these towels both decorative and highly functional for everyday use.