Valley Yarns #282 Afternoon Tea Napkins

Valley Yarns Afternoon Tea Napkins

Project Overview

The Afternoon Tea Napkins is a beginner-friendly weaving project designed by Yvonne Ellsworth that produces four finished napkins from a single warp. This home décor pattern is specifically created for weavers new to four-shaft looms, offering an elegant table linen solution that combines classic weaving techniques with accessible instruction for small table looms.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces four coordinated napkins, each measuring 11 inches by 11.5 inches in finished dimensions. The napkins are designed as table linens suitable for table settings and home décor applications, making them practical yet decorative additions to any dining table.

Weaving Structure and Techniques

The Afternoon Tea Napkins utilize a Twill weave structure, specifically Rosepath, which creates a subtle diagonal texture characteristic of twill weaving. This weave structure is achieved on a four-shaft loom, making it an ideal introductory project for weavers learning to work with multiple shafts. The pattern incorporates striped techniques through the use of contrasting warp and weft yarns, creating visual interest while maintaining the integrity of the twill structure.

Technical Specifications

• Equipment Required: 4-shaft loom with a minimum width of 13.5 inches, 1 shuttle, 1 bobbin, and fray check
• Sett: 24 ends per inch (epi), achieved by sleying 2 ends per dent in a 12-dent reed
• Density: 24 picks per inch (ppi) in the finished fabric
• Weaving Width in Reed: Approximately 12.5 inches
• Warp Length: 2.75 yards of 302 ends, including 2 floating selvedges and accounting for at least 36 inches of loom waste

Yarns and Materials

The Afternoon Tea Napkins pattern calls for Valley Yarns 10/2 Cotton, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn available at 4200 yards per pound on 1-pound cones. The warp is worked in Valley Yarns 10/2 Cotton #8176 Natural, requiring 831 yards. The weft is worked in Valley Yarns 10/2 Cotton #2448 Mediterranean Blue, requiring 552 yards. This color combination creates a classic striped effect, with the natural cream warp providing a neutral base and the Mediterranean blue weft introducing color and visual depth to the finished napkins.

Construction Details

The pattern employs floating selvedges on each side of the warp, which are weighted over the back beam but not threaded through any heddles. This technique helps maintain clean, finished edges on the completed napkins. After dressing the loom and tying onto the front apron rod, weavers spread the warp with plain weave picks of scrap yarn before beginning the main weaving sequence. The use of fray check is recommended as finishing equipment to secure yarn ends and prevent unraveling.

Skill Level and Accessibility

Designed specifically for beginners new to four-shaft looms, this pattern provides an excellent introduction to multi-shaft weaving without overwhelming complexity. The straightforward twill structure, combined with clear technical specifications and reference materials, makes the Afternoon Tea Napkins an ideal first project for weavers transitioning from simpler weaving techniques to more structured loom work.