Valley Yarns #257 Waffle Weave Towels

Valley Yarns Waffle Weave Towels

Project Overview

The Valley Yarns Waffle Weave Towels are woven homeware pieces designed for everyday use as absorbent dish towels. This downloadable PDF pattern, Draft #257, was designed and illustrated by Marthe Young and produces two finished towels measuring 15.5" x 29.5" each. The project demonstrates how to create textured, functional towels using a rigid heddle loom with a combination of plain weave and waffle weave structures.

Weaving Techniques

This pattern employs two primary weaving techniques to create visual interest and varied texture:

• Waffle Weave: A dimensional weave structure that creates a textured, grid-like surface characteristic of waffle-patterned fabrics. This technique is achieved through strategic use of a pick up stick to manipulate warp threads.
• Plain Weave: The fundamental over-and-under interlacing of warp and weft threads, used in sections of the design for contrast and variation.
• Striped Patterning: Color stripes are introduced through the strategic arrangement of warp and weft yarns in three coordinating colors—Aubergine, Jade, and White—creating visual definition across the towel width.

Weave Structure Details

The towels are constructed using a structured approach to density and thread count. The waffle weave sections are woven at approximately 20 picks per inch (ppi), while plain weave sections are worked at approximately 16 ppi. The warp is set at 12 ends per inch (epi), creating a balanced, absorbent fabric suitable for kitchen use. The warp consists of 237 ends across a width of 19⅝" in the reed.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Valley Yarns 6/2 Unmercerized Cotton is the sole fiber used for both warp and weft in this project. This yarn choice is intentional for towel weaving, as unmercerized cotton provides excellent absorbency and a naturally soft hand—ideal characteristics for functional dish towels.

Warp Yarn Requirements:

• Valley Yarns 6/2 Unmercerized Cotton (100% Unmercerized Cotton, 2520 yards per pound, sold in approximately 0.9 lb cones)
• Aubergine: 214 yards
• Jade: 211 yards
• White: 201 yards
• Total warp length: 95"

Weft Yarn Requirements:

• Valley Yarns 6/2 Unmercerized Cotton (100% Unmercerized Cotton, 2520 yards per pound, sold in approximately 0.9 lb cones)
• White: 556 yards
• Aubergine: 145 yards
• Jade: 145 yards

Equipment and Setup

This pattern is designed for a rigid heddle loom that is 20" or wider, equipped with a 12 dent reed. A pick up stick measuring at least 22" in length is required for manipulating the waffle weave structure. The direct warping method is used to dress the loom, with the warp centered for a finished weaving width of 19⅝". The warp threading follows a specific chart that indicates the number of slots used for each warp color during the direct warping process.

Loom Setup and Weaving Process

After dressing the loom using the direct warping method, the warp is tied onto the front apron rod. A few picks of scrap yarn are woven first to separate the weft and establish a clean edge. The loom is then configured for waffle weave work. The pick up stick is inserted behind the reed with alternating ends positioned up and down across the entire warp width. When not actively in use, the pick up stick is pushed up to the top of the warp beam to keep it secure and out of the way during weaving.

Finished Characteristics

The completed towels measure 15.5" x 29.5" and benefit from the natural properties of unmercerized cotton. The designer, Marthe Young, specifically chose this yarn and technique combination to achieve both texture and softness in the finished pieces. The pattern accounts for shrinkage during finishing, ensuring the final towels meet the specified dimensions. The combination of waffle weave and plain weave sections, along