Valley Yarns #33 4-Shaft Twill Towels

Valley Yarns 4-Shaft Twill Towels

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns 4-Shaft Twill Towels pattern produces five coordinating kitchen or bath towels from a single 5-yard warp. Each finished towel measures 17" x 27" after washing. This design is ideal for creating hostess gifts or a matching set of home textiles in a short weaving period. The pattern allows for creative customization by changing warp colors for each individual towel or incorporating striped effects throughout the set.

Weaving Structure and Technique

This project uses a 4-shaft twill structure, a fundamental weaving technique that creates diagonal lines across the fabric surface. The twill pattern can be treadled in two different ways to produce coordinating towels with varied visual interest while maintaining the same base structure. The design is accessible for weavers with basic 4-shaft loom experience.

The weaving process incorporates several technical considerations: a 5-yard warp is wound with 464 ends (including 2 floating selvedges) at a sett of 22 epi (ends per inch). The pattern specifies different reed threading options depending on equipment availability—either a 2-3-3-3 threading in an 8-dent reed or a 2-2-2-3 threading in a 10-dent reed. Each towel requires approximately 30" of twill weaving, with plain weave hems woven at the beginning and end using sewing thread to reduce bulk. Between towels, 4 or more picks of contrasting color are woven to facilitate easy separation from the loom.

Yarn and Materials

The towels are woven using Brassard 8/2 Cottolin yarn, a blend of 60% organic cotton and 40% linen that provides durability, absorbency, and a refined finish ideal for towel weaving. This yarn is available at 3360 yards per pound (1680 yards per 8 oz. tube). The warp requires 2320 yards of Natural #0100 Cottolin for the complete 5-yard warp, while each individual towel requires approximately 385 yards of weft yarn. The pattern shows color options including Cherry #5096, Mauve #5153, and Turquoise #1510 for weft variations.

Equipment Requirements

• 4-shaft loom with 22" weaving width capacity
• 8-dent or 10-dent reed (threading varies by reed type)
• 1 shuttle and 1 bobbin per color
• Additional bobbin or narrow spool for sewing thread hem weaving

Key Specifications

• Warp length: 5 yards
• Warp ends: 464 (including 2 floating selvedges)
• Width in reed: 21"
• Finished towel dimensions: 17" x 27" after washing
• Sett: 22 epi
• Twill treadling: Two different methods available for coordinating variations

Design Notes

The pattern was designed by Leslie Ann Bestor and represents an efficient use of loom time, allowing a weaver to produce five complete towels from a single warp setup. The inclusion of plain weave hem sections using lightweight sewing thread is a professional finishing technique that prevents excessive bulk at the towel edges. The optional use of contrasting weft colors between towels not only aids in cutting and finishing but also creates visual variety within the coordinated set.