One of the areas where weaving relies on nuance is the way we throw the shuttle and then beat weft picks into the fabric. Are you weaving a rag rug on a lighter-weight loom? Or is your overshaft pattern running a bit too long for square? In either case, you may find yourself taking the idea of beating picks very literally. I confess that I've driven the family pets out of my studio now and then with enthusiastic beating.
Lace weaving is different, though—the beauty of woven lace comes from the fabric‘s open nature. To achieve that effect, weavers need to place lace picks intentionally and consistently, rather than working the beater fast and hard against the fell line.
But what exactly does it mean to “place“ picks? Madelyn van der Hoogt is here to show you with a short video drawn from her course about weaving lace. The concept becomes so clear when you watch her weave for a minute or two! Learn about placing picks in this quick tip video:
If you found Madelyn‘s video tip helpful, I encourage you to watch her entire course for essential information and helpful ideas for weaving lace. It’s free for Handwoven All-Access Subscribers, along with so many other on-demand courses.
Happy weaving!
Lynn