After thinking up all sorts of lovely possibilities (including an utterly crazy, but potentially fantasmagorical, idea involving echo weave), I think I’ve decided to try doing this shawl in network drafting on a 4×8 rosepath initial. I loved the little diamonds in one of Nancy Roberts’ machine-knitted-and-dyed woven scarves, and doing it in a complex initial adds more interest than simply doing it in a 4-end twill initial. Among other things, it will force me to really understand network drafting – and a bit more about “regular” drafting – precisely because it is more complex. I think it will be quite a challenge, but it will also be wicked fun. 🙂
I am also pleased to say that I have rediscovered my Silver Needles electric cone winder. I had written it off as too rough for fine yarns, but after a discussion with Sharon Alderman, I decided to give it a second try. It turns out 30/2 silk is extremely strong and the cone winder handles it without any trouble! So that’s 30,000 yards of yarn I don’t have to worry about winding. I am ecstatic. I am definitely keeping it!
I have now wound 11 of the 29 skeins onto cones. They are gorgeous. Deep, jewel colors. Here’s some eye candy (not a very good photo, but does give an idea for the lusciousness):
And here is a screenshot of the draft I’m playing around with (you may have to click on it for the larger version to see it properly):
I am 99% sure I’m doing something wrong, in part because I have one 8-thread float. At 44 epi, that’s nothing particular to worry about, but it does suggest that I have done something wrong, most likely using a twill tie-up (I have no idea what one typically uses with a rosepath threading/treadling). But the diamond “texture” of the pattern is most appealing, and I plan to continue chugging away at it until I understand what’s going on. Next step will be going back to Alice Schlein’s book and doing a peg plan in the “proper” way, rather than trying to figure out treadling/threading versions.
Definitely wicked fun, though deal with that blankety-blank float is not going to be quite so much fun (sob….). Glad you found your electric winder and that it works with the 30/2. That sure makes life a lot easier. And frees time to solve the float issue…… Why do you want to know what makes patterns “compatible?” Do you plan on trying to use more than one in the same item (not that I have ever thought of doing that………..).
What is important is that the tie-up, threading, and treadling are compatible. With network drafting, this is how you create a consistent underlying weave structure. If your threading is based on a 4-shaft twill (or point twill or rosepath) then your tie-up should also work with this base. Generally it means that each part of your tie-up is composed from 4-shaft twill tie-ups; breaking this rule can create special effects, muddled designs, and/or longer floats, depending on the kind of sequence and structure. It is in Chapter 5 in my book. Suggestion: change the part of the tie-up where it has 3/2/1/2.
Of course we want to weave lots of different drafts on one threading! But we also want to understand what causes an unexpectedly long float.
Weaving as drawn in is a starting place, the most expected use of any given threading. It is fine if you want this kind of symmetry but it is always worth looking beyond the most predictable use.
Bonnie Inouye