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2020 Mystery WAL (Weave-Along) Project Tips Conducted by: TexasGabi

Last update: 2020/05/12

Look at the finished panels and projects of our Mystery WAL at any time on our Pinterest board. Are you

getting inspired?

The goal for this Weave-Along is to finish a panel, which you can use as a beautiful table topper or wall

hanging. There’s no additional embellishment required, but you could add any (crocheted) border that

you like.

However, your panel can be the starting point to more, and the suggestions include a wall hanging, a no-

sew project bag, or a vest. This worksheet provides tips for turning your panel into any of these projects.

Roped Edging for Wall Hanging or Project Bag Here is a simple crocheted edging that allows you to pull through a rope. For the wall hanging, this is to

hang the piece and also for decorative purposes. For the project bag, the rope will serve as closure and

shoulder strap.

The edging in this sample uses the same yarn as for the weaving, but you can use any yarn of the same

or slightly lighter yarn weight. Gauge is flexible; please us any crochet hook that gives you the yarn

recommended gauge.

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The following picture instructions show you how to make easy no-sew project bags. They allow you to

transport for example a project, but you can still enjoy seeing the panel, when you lay out the bag flat.

The straps are long enough to conveniently carry your bag across the shoulder. You can fold up the bag

easily for convenient storage. You could shorten the straps for hand-carry (though the bags would not

open flat any longer).

Squares Panel

Start at the center of any square. For scalloped squares, make sure to work through both threads of each scallop as shown.

Attach yarn with a slip stitch, then work a single crochet (sc) into the same space. Chain 4, then skip one scallop and work the next sc into the next scallop as shown.

When you get to a corner, either work a sc directly into the corner (left picture), or work a sc shortly before and shortly after the corner (right picture), with four chain stitches in between.

When you get to the end of the round, make a slip stitch into the beginning sc.

If your round ends without an extra scallop space, just work two chain stitches before closing the round.

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Weave in ends.

Weave in the rope. You can do this manually, or use a crochet hook, tapestry needle, or locker hook. Attention! Make sure you leave the openings for the handles, shown in the next picture!

Leave the two middle squares on both sides unwoven, as shown. These will be the handles.

Check your work: - Does the rope go all around your work

without pulling the fabric together or being too loosely?

- Are the handles worked in the proper location?

If yes, join the rope ends and weave in the tails as needed.

Put a project or any content that you wish to carry onto your panel and try out your bag by pulling the handles.

Enjoy your project bag!

Hexagons Panel

Start at the center of any hexagon side.

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Make sure to work through two threads as shown. Working over just one thread might pull your weaving. Attach yarn with a slip stitch, then work a single crochet (sc) into the same space. Chain 4, then skip about 2-3 yarn turns on your hexie and work the next sc into the next space as shown.

You will get about three sc for each hexagon side. Work the chain stitches around corners and hexagon joins as shown.

When you get to the end of the round, make a slip stitch into the beginning sc

Weave in ends.

Weave in the rope. You can do this manually, or use a crochet hook, tapestry needle, or locker hook. Attention! Make sure you leave the openings for the handles, shown in the next picture!

Leave the two middle hexagons on two opposite sides unwoven, as shown. These will be the handles. Note: If you followed the assembly instructions during the WAL, use exactly the sides as shown. The reason is that this way you will make the bias nature of the fabric help you to get a smooth bag opening.

Check your work: - Does the rope go all around your work

without pulling the fabric together or being too loosely?

- Are the handles worked in the proper location?

If yes, join the rope ends and weave in the tails as needed.

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Put a project or any content that you wish to carry onto your panel and try out your bag by pulling the handles.

Enjoy your project bag!

Tips - You can change the bag opening by weaving the rope ends closer or wider to each other. If you

weave all around, you’ll get a cute “soccer ball” shaped bag.

- When you transport your looms and/or small crafting tools in your bag, put them into a zip lock

bag first, so that needles don’t get lost and pins don’t peak through the fabric.

If you like to display the geometry and color play of your work, consider a wall hanging. Here are some

basic tips to display your weaving, but the possibilities are endless …

Wall Hangings

- Slide a wooden dowel stick (about 25”

long) through the top rope edging. - Pull rope through both sides of the wall

hanging, letting excess hang over. Maybe add a tassel for additional decorative effect. Use top rope as hanger.

- Use Needle Art hanger (Yarnology item #1437243, 14” wide) to slide through top.

- Use wooden dowel stick (about 25” long” to stretch the farthest width of the hexagon.

- Rope is optional and for decorative effect only.

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Vest With a finished panel you are already about half way towards a wearable vest! The following pictures

show you how to calculate how many more weavies you have to weave (use the same or a

complementing yarn), and where to put them. You will see that you have a lot of options! Feel free to

contact me, and I will work with you through the planning of your vest if you want.

One of the super powers of pin loom weaving is that you weave small pieces of fabric which allow for a

modular design with a perfect fit. In this vest project we explore how we can use that super power.

Start by finding a garment that you like to wear. Some stretch is ok, but it should hold shape without having to be tugged. I’m using a slightly oversized t-shirt.

The t-shirt (or garment) will serve as template. Lay it out on a flat surface. Think about whether you want your vest to be just like the t-shirt, or maybe a little bit wider (extra ease). I will work my vest just like the t-shirt.

SQUARES: In my case, the panel fits perfectly. I could add another row to the bottom, but for now I’m happy the way it looks.

For the shoulders, two squares, shared between front and back, will work.

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If you would like a deeper shoulder, consider using a whole square on each, the front and the back side.

Note: the vest will have slightly overhanging shoulders. If you don’t like that you could take out three squares along the arm holes.

You can adjust the width by adding one row of weavies to the side, shared between front and back. Use a whole row for more width.

For your weavies calculations: Each front will require about half a back for a not-overlapping vest. This picture shows two squares for the shoulder, shared between front and back. For the lapel you can fold in a square or weave a triangle.

If you would like a slightly longer neck opening, consider using the whole 4” square for the front (right picture).

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For a more generous lapel, add squares across the whole length. This lapel will have a nice drape.

HEXAGONS start out in a similar way. Weave some extra weavies so that you can “test layout” to see where you will want to add some hexagons. This picture shows how to possibly fill in the (left) body. You could keep the round shape for an extra pretty effect! You could add one or two rows to make it longer.

This photo shows a possible shoulder solution with either shared or folded hexagons. You could also use half hexagons.

For the front panels, consider different options: Long, short, overlapping or not … there are a lot of possibilities. Layout and pin some options and hold them on to see what you like best.

A very good way to find your ideal pattern is to weave ahead some weavies and then just lay them out

until you like it. Then, connect them with safety pins. This sounds a little bit tedious, but it will allow you

to try on your creation and make necessary changes before you even start sewing.

I suggest that you work the back and the front panels first, then sew the shoulder seams, then the side

seams. This will give you plenty of opportunity to adjust weavies, if needed.

Where you see half hexagons in the photos, they are either “shared” between the back and the front

panels, or folded (for example at the sleeves, which provides extra hem support). You could also weave

half hexagons, and I plan to provide instructions for that on the turtleloom blog in the near future.

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The rope can serve as a closure (woven through the fabric at waist height) or sturdy and decorate the

edgings (sew rope with sewing thread all around the edgings).

Add sleeves if you want, to make it a cardigan!

Give a vest a try! Best of all … Keep weaving!

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Timeline to “Finish” The Mystery WAL will officially end on May 20, 2020. You will have one more week to finish your

weaving and assemble the panel. The completed panel is the goal. Any progress beyond that is optional.

If you need an incentive to get your panel completed by May 20 … All

who finish their panels and post a picture will be entered to win a $25

Etsy gift certificate!

(There will be two $25 gift certificates, I will use random numbers to

determine the winning names. One entry per person.)

Handy Notes in a Nutshell

The WAL began April 1st, 2020. The follow-up

instructions were posted every following Wednesday

for a total of 7 weeks. You can join any time you want,

catch up or work at your own pace. Onlookers are

welcome, too!

Join us on Facebook in the Pin Loom Weaving Support

Group

(https://www.facebook.com/groups/pinloomweaving/) or on Ravelry in the “Looms to Go” group

(https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/looms-to-go/topics/4018398).

Quick link to the FAQ page: FAQ frequently asked questions

Contact me with any questions, comments or concerns …

Facebook and Ravelry: TexasGabi, or email gabi@texasgabi.com

©2020 Gabi van Tassell, all rights reserved.