Christmas Star – Table Runner
This uncomplicated design is readily adaptable for table settings, cushions, or a multitude of different concepts. This design features a single side, so bear that in mind when you organize your projects.
???? Required Supplies
- Loom: A rigid heddle loom with an interlacing width of at least 8 inches.
- Recommended Models: We propose the Kromski 10” Presto or 8” Harp.
- One 8-dent heddle
- One pick-up implement
- Two Stick Shuttles
???? Yarns for Warp and Weft
- Primary Yarn (Background): Red yarn
- Handarbeitsgarn “Julia” 100% acrylic 330m/100g – 100g
- Pattern Yarn (For Christmas Star): White yarn
- 100% Merino Wool – 230m/100g – 25g
⚙️ Weave Structure
- Plain weave and pattern weave
???? Density (SETTS)
- Warp: 8 ends per inch (epi)
- Weft: 9 picks per inch (ppi)
???? Measurements
- Width in the Heddle: 16 cm (6’’)
- Woven Length: 135 cm (53’’)
✨ Final Measurements (Post Wet Finishing)
5.5’’ x 49’’ plus 4.7’’ border (fringe)
Width x Length:
14 cm x 125 cm plus 12 cm border (fringe)
- Warping
Wind a warp 160cm – 63’’ and 26 threads wide, following the color order in the Chart 1 above. Note that the numbers in the table represent individual single strands, not pairs of threads. The 3 threads of white straps are tied to red straps as you can see in Photo 1.
In contrast to the alternative sets of threads, these are channelled from the warping peg (by employing the direct-peg technique – to observe the procedure, please visit https://youtu.be/DQ3KAIEjPYE?t=48).
2. Wrap a shuttle with the principal red yarn and a second one with the white yarn. Allow 15cm (6’’) for the fringe, and disperse the warp using waste yarns.
3. Allowing for a weft tail four times the width of the warp for the hemstitch, interlace five passes of plain weave with the principal red yarn. Utilize the tail to hemstitch groups of two using the tail (The Hemstitch procedure is detailed here). Proceed with plain weaving using the principal yarn for 6-7cm (2.5’’).
4. Begin the interlacing process with two yarns: the red and the white yarn (one pass of the first color, followed by the next in the alternative color), then continue with four passes of red yarn. Shift a heddle to the neutral position. Employ a pick-up stick to position the selected threads upwards or downwards. Each time you initiate a pass, you must also depress the first and final warp threads along the edges of the piece. Subsequently, when you return the shuttle to the right, you elevate these threads. By proceeding in this manner, you will secure the yarn forming the pattern (the white yarn) to the edges. The star pattern will possess double thickness so that it will be prominent. Weave one pass of red between every pair of white pattern passes. Consult the Chart 2 provided below to generate the star pattern or review the complete process on the Kromski YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/e0xCa8dFCKw
5. Weave 25 plain-weave picks with the background red yarn.
6. Repeat steps 4. and 5. ten times.
7. End with 4-5 extra picks of the red yarn leaving long tail for hemstitching. Make hemstitch as at the beginning.
8. Remove the runner from the loom and wash gentle in warm water using special detergent for wool. Gently squeeze and hang to dry. Trim fringe. Press with a warm iron.
If you want to try the pillow shown in the video, simply add additional stars. Keep the number of the border threads on either side the same as the runner above.
