Valley Yarns #266 Mamaw's Trellis Towels

Valley Yarns Mamaw's Trellis Towels

What is Being Made

Mamaw's Trellis Towels are a pair of woven homeware towels designed by Joanne Wood Peters and Mary M. Jones. Each finished towel measures 16" x 30.5" when hemmed. This collaborative design project combines structured weaving principles with thoughtful color sequencing to create durable, visually striking towels suitable for everyday use.

Weaving Technique and Structure

These towels are created using spot weave, a versatile weaving structure that produces dimensional texture and visual interest. The design employs a 6-shaft loom setup, which allows for complex pattern development and the alternation of colors throughout the warp. The weaving technique relies on careful stripe patterning achieved through strategic color placement in both the warp and weft, creating a trellis-like visual effect that gives the towels their distinctive name and appearance.

Warp and Weft Specifications

The warp is wound to a length of 3 yards using 421 ends total, including 2 floating selvedges for finished edges. The warp utilizes Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotton, an unmercerized 100% cotton yarn with a yardage of 3360 yards per pound. Three coordinated colors create the stripe sequence:

• #6974 Grayed Lavender: 456 yards
• #1171 Pale Yellow: 450 yards
• #6256 Eggplant: 357 yards

The weft is entirely woven in #6256 Eggplant, requiring 865 yards of the same Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotton yarn. This monochromatic weft choice allows the warp stripes to remain the visual focus of the finished towels.

Sett and Loom Requirements

The towels are set at 20 epi (ends per inch), achieved by threading 2 threads per dent in a 10-dent reed. This sett creates a balanced, durable fabric suitable for towel use. The weaving width in the reed is 21", and the loom must be at least 22" wide to accommodate the full warp. The project requires 1 shuttle and 1 bobbin for weft insertion, and the pick density is set at 18 ppi (picks per inch).

Warp Color Order and Threading

The warp color order follows a structured pattern that creates the distinctive striped effect. In sections where Grayed Lavender and Pale Yellow alternate, these colors are wound together while holding a finger between the threads to prevent tangling during the winding process. The threading draft maintains a specific color placement: Grayed Lavender warp ends are consistently threaded on even shafts, while Pale Yellow warp ends are threaded on odd shafts. This systematic approach ensures the stripe pattern develops correctly across the width of the towels.

Materials Summary

This project uses exclusively Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotton, an unmercerized cotton yarn sold on 1-pound cones. The unmercerized finish provides a naturally textured appearance appropriate for functional towels. Total yardage needed is approximately 2,578 yards of warp and weft combined. A 10-dent reed is required for dressing the loom, and the project is designed for a 6-shaft floor or table loom with a minimum width of 22".