Welcome to the Fall 2026 issue of Handwoven! In it, you’ll find 9 projects to energize you and breathe new life into your weaving, plus articles that will help you sharpen your technique.
All aspiring weavers start in the same place, learning the basics. After that, our paths separate, twisting and turning as our inclinations carry us forward.
- Some have happily spent years weaving nothing but dish towels—others would rather weave anything else.
- Some are satisfied with simple weaves—others are honing their skills on more complicated structures or techniques.
- Some are yearning for loom time in the face of work or family pressures—others are downsizing for one reason or another.
- Some are searching for a loom with more weaving options—others are looking for one that will ease their physical woes.
- Some weave projects exactly as written—others feel driven to customize.
Regardless of how you go about it, if you’re weaving what you enjoy, you’re doing everything right.
For this issue, we asked designers to showcase particulars of the way they weave right now, whether they’re stealing a few precious moments at the loom, trying to get used to two-shuttle weaves, diving deep into structures with a study group, or planning their next long warp using stash for gifts (or for the guild sale). They came up with ideas for everything from 4 to 24 shafts (that fancy one has 4- and 8-shaft options).
Left to right: Robin Wilton’s Silken Treasure Scarves turn stash yarns into beautiful handwovens. Rebecca Fox designed the Evergreen Shawl by holding multiple thread colors as she measured the warp, creating cloth with more depth and interest. The draft for Annette Swan Schipf’s Shifting Structure Towels blends Bronson lace with one of Bertha Gray Hayes’s overshot drafts for a series of unique towels on a single warp.
Two projects show ways to wind semi-random warps, a skill that’s tailor-made for using stash. One project lets you weave a wide variety of towels on a single warp (non-boring holiday weaving alert!).
Left to right: Alan Luhring’s Cascading Bells Runner transforms sound into vibrant color. Regina McInnes’s Full Circle Tote has columns of circles thanks to a networked twill draft. And Tien Chiu’s Fire Over Water Shawl has a stunning weft gradient; the original version uses 24 shafts, but Tien offers 4- and 8-shaft versions as well.
Two projects are based on topics their designers are passionate about—change ringing (Alan Luhring’s Cascading Bells Runner) and complex color gradients (Tien Chiu’s Fire Over Water Shawl, on the cover). They’re both easy to warp and slower to weave, but the spectacular results are worth the effort. A networked-twill tote has columns of circles and a coordinating towel option.
Left to right: Anu Bhatia’s Me and Ewe Pillow Sleeve was inspired by traditional Irish knitting stiches. Deborah Silver’s Woodland Profiles samplers create images in summer and winter using the split-shed technique. And Kate Kilgus’s Winning Hand Pillows use colors reminiscent of those found on traditional playing cards.
You’ll also find a pillow sleeve in simple basketweave with a bit of hand manipulation; a pair of pillow covers in crackle; and wall art woven using the split-shed technique—if you’ve never tried that, watch the video listed in the project. Like much of weaving, it’s easier to do than to describe.
Please show off your projects on Instagram or Facebook using #handwovenmagazine. And send your weaving questions and comments to [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!
Also in this Issue
Tien Chiu explains how to create simple and complex gradients.
Tom Knisely writes about a yarn that carries memories of a distant land.
Deborah Silver shows a cartoon setup for easier pick-up.
Susan Du Bois provides real talk about weaving with silk.
Yarn Lab takes a look at Tillie, a cupro yarn.
Deborah Chandler writes about different ways of weaving, and asks for your ideas.
- In our new department, Humans Who Weave, Rachel Navarre shares her love of weaving: “I fall asleep imagining weave structures.”
Subscribe today and get access to all nine projects, as well as two bonus web projects.
Please show off your projects on Instagram or Facebook using #handwovenmagazine. And send your weaving questions and comments to [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!
Happy weaving!
Have you changed a Handwoven project to make it your own? Please share your photos with us on Instagram or Facebook using #handwovenmagazine. As always, please send your weaving questions and comments to [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you! —Lynn