Valley Yarns #78 Lemongrass Scarf

Valley Yarns Lemongrass Scarf

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Lemongrass Scarf is a handwoven scarf designed by Leslie Ann Bestor, featuring a finished size of 8" x 61" plus fringe. This downloadable weaving pattern creates a sophisticated accessory using contrasting warp and weft colors to showcase the unique characteristics of each yarn color on alternating sides of the cloth.

Weaving Technique

This scarf is woven using Huck Lace, a traditional weaving structure that the designer has favored since her first weaving class. The Huck Lace technique creates distinctive floats on each side of the fabric, with the warp color (Dark Teal) featured on one side and the weft color (Lemongrass) on the other, resulting in a reversible design with visual interest from both perspectives.

Weaving Structure and Pattern

The pattern utilizes a 4-shaft loom with a minimum width of 14". The scarf is constructed with a 3-yard warp containing 149 ends, set at 16 epi (ends per inch). The threading follows a structured approach: 8 ends of plain weave for the border, followed by a 14-end pattern repeated nine times, and finished with a half pattern repeat plus 8 additional ends of plain weave for the opposite border. The treadling order begins with a plain weave border, repeats the main pattern 65 times, includes a half pattern repeat for balance, and concludes with eight picks of plain weave for the final border.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The scarf is woven entirely with Valley Yarns 5/2 Bamboo, a 100% bamboo yarn with a yardage of 2100 yards per pound. The warp requires 450 yards of Dark Teal, while the weft requires 355 yards of Lemongrass. The 5/2 Bamboo yarn is noted for its soft, sleek texture and excellent drape characteristics, making it particularly well-suited for scarves and shawls.

Equipment Requirements

• 4-shaft loom with minimum 14" width
• Reed (configured as either 2/dent in 8-dent reed or 1-1-2 in 12-dent reed)
• 1 shuttle
• 1 bobbin

Finishing Instructions

After weaving is complete, the scarf is removed from the loom and fringe is twisted if desired. The finished piece is soaked in cool water with Eucalan or another quality handwash product to set the fibers. The scarf is then rolled in a towel to remove excess water and hung to dry. Final pressing is completed using a steam iron on the rayon setting to achieve a polished finish.

Design Characteristics

The contrasting use of Dark Teal warp and Lemongrass weft creates a dynamic visual effect where the color combination shifts depending on the viewing angle. The Huck Lace structure combined with the bamboo yarn's natural drape produces an elegant, fluid accessory suitable for various occasions and seasons.