While I have limited yarn, I nonetheless decided to start this project with a sample. I had tried and failed at houndstooth before and want to get the warp-weft balance right before warping the full scarf. I’m using Drops Karisma in Moss Green and Light Oak - it’s 16wpi, a tad thinner than what I’d like for the 7.5dpi heddle.

Learning: Don’t put too much tension on the warp so that there’s a good balance between warp and weft. Beat very gently. Even after wet finishing, the wool isn’t very soft - perhaps the scarf will need to be a table runner. Perhaps try to soak it in conditioner to soften it further.

Now warped 2.4m for 1.95m scarf/table runner, 46 slots (borders of 4 green on one side, 4 oak on the other) for a 30cm width (before shrinkage). Planning on twisted fringes in groups of 4 ends, so hemstitching accordingly.

I’m weaving a generous weft border of 15cm in green since I’m short on the oak, then starting my houndstooth and combining it with clasped weft. I was inspired by the photo on Jessica Rollow’s past class. I’ve decided to let the houndstooth gradually ‘sneak’ into the cloth (again, this will avoid using up the oak too quickly), but deciding ad hoc where to go with it - gives it a playful feel.

I decided on 3 houndstooth ‘pyramids’, the central one being larger. Thankfully finished with no yarn shortages! Fresh off the loom: 191 x 29 cm. Twisted the fringes.

After wet finishing, the runner (it’s not quite soft enough to be a scarf) is now 183 x 29 cm, with a 9cm fringe on each end.