Valley Yarns #283 Jaali Runner

Valley Yarns Jaali Runner: Woven Table Linen with Lace Sections

Project Overview

The Valley Yarns Jaali Runner is a handwoven table runner designed by Shilpa Nagarkar, combining warm fall colors with an elegant lattice-inspired lace pattern. The name "Jaali" derives from the Hindi word for lattice, reflecting the visual effect created by the lace weaving sections. This finished piece measures 37.25" x 13.5" (excluding fringe) and serves as a sophisticated home décor accent for table settings and dining surfaces.

Weave Structure and Techniques

This project employs a plain weave foundation combined with pick-up lace, a technique that creates open, lattice-like sections within the woven structure. The pick-up lace method involves manually selecting and lifting specific warp threads to form decorative openwork patterns, adding visual interest and texture to the runner. The striped design emerges through the strategic use of different yarn colors in the warp and weft, creating color blocking that enhances the overall aesthetic.

The weaving process requires careful attention to sett (thread density) and beat consistency. The runner is set at 15-16 ends per inch (epi) in the warp and 15 picks per inch (ppi) in the weft, creating a balanced, stable fabric suitable for table use.

Equipment and Tools Required

• Rigid heddle loom, minimum 15" weaving width
• 15-dent heddle (or two 8-dent heddles as an alternative)
• 2 shuttles for managing weft yarns
• 1 pick-up stick, minimum 18" long, for executing the lace sections
• 12 metal beads (approximately 3/16" or 6mm inner diameter) for embellishment

Yarn Materials and Specifications

Warp Yarn: Valley Yarns 5/2 Cotton in colorway #7198 Burnt Sienna, requiring 344 yards. This yarn is 100% mercerized cotton with a yardage of 2100 yards per pound, sold on 1-pound cones. Mercerized cotton provides enhanced sheen, strength, and color vibrancy, making it ideal for warp applications where durability is essential.

Weft Yarn: Two different yarns create the striped color effect. The primary weft uses Valley Yarns 5/2 Cotton in #7198 Burnt Sienna (256 yards), matching the warp color for seamless integration in plain weave areas. The accent weft features Tahki Yarns Tandem in colorway #28 Sunburst (23 yards), a blended fiber yarn composed of 28% cotton, 28% viscose, 28% nylon, and 16% acrylic at 107 yards per ball. This fiber blend introduces subtle sheen and drape variation in the striped sections.

Warp Setup and Loom Dressing

The runner requires a warp of 225 ends in Burnt Sienna, measuring 55" in length (1.53 yards). Weavers may choose between two setup methods depending on available heddles. Using a single 15-dent reed, the weaving width is 15", with threads threaded normally—one thread from each slot threaded through the corresponding hole, beginning and ending on slots. Alternatively, using two 8-dent heddles, the backmost heddle receives 56 slots with Burnt Sienna (pulling two loops or four warp ends through each slot), followed by additional threading on the right heddle, resulting in a weaving width of 14 1/16".

Design and Finished Dimensions

The completed Jaali Runner measures 37.25" in length and 13.5" in width, excluding fringe. The substantial length makes it suitable for standard dining tables or console surfaces, while the proportional width provides visual balance without overwhelming the table setting. The fall color palette—Burnt Sienna as the dominant tone with Sunburst accents—creates warmth and seasonal appeal appropriate for autumn entertaining.

The lace sections, created through pick-up techniques and embellished with metal beads, provide textural contrast against the plain weave ground, adding sophistication and handcrafted character to this functional home accessory.