I am so lucky, I have been given Anne Dixon’s 4 shaft weaving book and am blown away by the number of possibilities with a simple 1, 2, 3, 4 threading. My first two attempts are very rewarding, but messy edges. I was to excited putting the warp on and forgot to pack the edges and add floating selvedges. I tried rethreading the 4 edge heddles but it’s not a brilliant finish. Still it’s only a short ‘test’ warp, and I will do better next time!
Before receiving the book I had worked out how to do herringbone and combine this with stripes. I liked this, especially with a marl hand spun between commercial yarn.
After getting the book I realised I could work with two treadles at a time and two shuttles.
Now I am playing with colours and have added an extra pick to the pattern. Working this additional pick in thicker yarn increases the surface texture. And although it’s not clear on the photo, both blue yarns are mercerised so make a contrast to the woollier yarns.
Vikki Haffenden 