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Colors of a Kodiak Island Summer
Weave a vibrant throw that keeps the chill off, no matter the season.
Weave a vibrant throw that keeps the chill off, no matter the season. <a href="https://handwovenmagazine.com/kodiak-colors-throw-exclusive/">Continue reading.</a>
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Over the years, designer Laurie Murdock has woven many versions of this colorful plain-weave throw. Photos by Matt Graves
A desire to memorialize the stunning beauty of summer colors in the local landscape led Laurie Murdock to design this cozy throw.
Read on to learn more about this project, developed exclusively for the Summer 2026 issue of Handwoven, or head to the library to access the project PDF. Please enjoy this subscriber bonus project from the Summer 2026 collection.—Handwoven editors
About the Kodiak Colors Throw
The summer colors here on Kodiak Island are striking. We’re surrounded by the ocean, which is always sea green, with shades that shift lighter and darker depending on the weather. The island itself is made of slate, so charcoal cliffs are a predominant feature
wherever you travel. Sitka spruce trees (Picea sitchensis) that stretch up into the azure of the sky cover the north end of our island.
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A desire to memorialize the stunning beauty of summer colors in the local landscape led Laurie Murdock to design this cozy throw.
Read on to learn more about this project, developed exclusively for the Summer 2026 issue of Handwoven, or head to the library to access the project PDF. Please enjoy this subscriber bonus project from the Summer 2026 collection.—Handwoven editors
About the Kodiak Colors Throw
The summer colors here on Kodiak Island are striking. We’re surrounded by the ocean, which is always sea green, with shades that shift lighter and darker depending on the weather. The island itself is made of slate, so charcoal cliffs are a predominant feature
wherever you travel. Sitka spruce trees (Picea sitchensis) that stretch up into the azure of the sky cover the north end of our island. [PAYWALL] Bright magenta wildflowers cover the mountains and fields, most notably the Pretty Shooting Star (Dodecatheon pulchellum), Nootka roses (Rosa nutkana), and, of course, the iconic fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) that is featured on some Alaskan license plates.
Years ago, I felt moved to weave these colors into a blanket to remember their beauty and also keep the chill off during our cold winter nights. Color-savvy friends helped me come up with a beautiful palette inspired by the local landscape.
Since then, I’ve woven many versions of this throw for family members, friends, and fundraisers. I may change up the stripe widths on each of them as I weave, but I always use the same yarn—and the throws all stand up to use, just getting softer over time.
Weave it Yourself: Project Overview
STRUCTURE
Plain weave.
EQUIPMENT
2-shaft loom, 45" weaving width; 10-dent reed; 1 shuttle; 5 bobbins.
YARNS
Warp: Highland (100% wool; 900 yd/lb; Harrisville Designs), #30 Azure and #12 Seagreen, 263 yd each; #10 Spruce, #23 Magenta, and #49 Charcoal, 350 yd each.
Weft: Highland, #30 Azure and #12 Seagreen, 280 yd each; #10 Spruce, #23 Magenta, and #49 Charcoal, 275 yd each. Lengths of each color depend on the width of your stripes.
OTHER SUPPLIES
Woolite Delicates detergent.
WARP LENGTH
450 ends 3½ yd long (allows 8" for take-up, 18" for loom waste; loom waste includes fringe).
SETTS
Warp: 10 epi (1/dent in a 10-dent reed).
Weft: 10 ppi.
DIMENSIONS
Width in the reed: 45".
Woven length: (measured under tension on the loom) 100".
Finished size: (after wet-finishing) 36" x 79" plus 3" fringe.
Weave it Yourself: Project PDF
Visit the Handwoven library to get the PDF of the Kodiak Colors Throw.
Laurie Murdock grew up in New Hampshire, where she often visited Harrisville Designs. When she joined the Air Force, she requested a warmweather posting—and was sent to Anchorage. She ended up falling in love with Alaska and eventually moved to Kodiak Island with her husband to raise a family.
