Category: Weaving Tips

Twisting Fringe Step by Step

6/14/2023

Most of my scarves and shawls have twisted fringe because I love twisted fringe. I like the way it looks. I like the way it feels when I run my fingers through it. But making good twisted fringe takes practice and a plan.

I have just posted a video on YouTube showing my process.
By all means watch the video, but I will describe the basics here.
(Click on any photo to zoom in)

Planning for making twisted fringe

Weave a weft protector (also called a header) at the beginning and end of each piece. Use a yarn that is approximately the same size as the weft because it will keep the header area from spreading out or drawing in differently from the scarf itself. Use a contrasting color because you want to be able to see it when you remove it during the fringing process.
When planning your warp, allow enough warp for fringe on both ends of each piece. Allow 2-3" more than you want your finished fringe.
BEFORE your start twisting, trim the fringe at both ends of the scarf to the same length,
NOTE: How many ends you use in each fringe bout depends on the size of the yarns and your personal preference - how thick do you want your fringe? I like my fringe fairly fine, so, for example, when using 8/2 Tencel I usually twist 2 groups of 4 ends together for a total of 8 per bout.

Great tools to have on hand for fringing:

Gridded mat
Masking tape and/or blue painter's tape
Paperweights, heavy books or book ends
Small scissors
Double pointed needle
Comb
Fringe twister - battery powered or manual

Making the Fringe

Carefully remove the weft protector as you work. I like to remove a 2-3" section of weft protector at a time.
Count out the ends you will need for a bout of fringe and divide into 2 groups.

Clip the two groups into the fringe twister and twist clockwise until you have the desired amount of twist. This is a bit of trial and error, but you can get a good idea of what the final fringe will look like by releasing tension on the bouts and letting them twist back on themselves.
Remove the ends from the fringe twister and twist them back on each other in the counterclockwise direction

Knot at the desired length by loosely tying an overhand knot in the ends and maneuvering the knot to the appropriate length. Then tighten the knot.

Tip:
Use the gridded mat to help tie the knots at the same length all the way across.

I continue twisting fringe from right to left until I am about 3-4" from the left hand edge. At that point, I remove the remainder of the weft protector and begin fringing from the left edge towards the right. I twist the first 2 or 3 bouts on the left and then COUNT the remaining groups of threads out into bouts, fudging as needed if there is not an even multiple of ends that I need to finish.

Protecting the Fringe

To protect the fringe in the wash (whether machine washing or washing by hand), cut a strip of iron-on interfacing that is 3" high and the width of the scarf.
Fold this over the ends of the fringe, being sure to leave about 1/2-1" between the knots and the edge of the interfacing, and press in place (follow manufacturer's recommendations for time to press).

Trimming the Fringe

Wet finish and dry your work of art as desired.
After washing and drying your scarf, trim the fringe to about 1/4" from the knots.

Enjoy your finished piece!

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Videos, videos, videos!

6/11/2022

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I am back to work on my blog after a long hiatus. The first thing I want to do is share some videos with you that I have created. Jane Stafford I am not, and I can promise you these videos are not professional, but I think that they do a pretty good job of showing my process for warping back to front. I also think that even more experienced weavers might benefit from a host of tips that I share in the videos.

Over the past two years of the pandemic, I taught a "next step" Weave a Scarf class on Zoom. The class was intended to be for students who had taken a beginning weaving class and warped a loom before but who might not be super comfortable yet going through the steps for getting their warp on the loom. To prep for the class, I created 5 "refresher" videos to help my students get through the process of setting up their looms at home.

I hope you enjoy the videos. Send me feedback!

To view the videos, click on the hyperlink (the blue title) or on the photo next to the video description.

Video 1: Preparing the warp 19:41

Reading your draft
Measuring & positioning your guide thread
Measuring the warp
Counting threads at the cross
Tying of the warp
Chaining off the warp

Video 2: Moving to the loom 17:21

Moving the warp chains to the loom
Setting up the loom for back to front warping
Spreading the warp in the raddle
Winding on to the back beam

Video 3: Threading the heddles 6:24

Getting the loom ready
Threading the heddles

Video 4: Threading the reed 5:52
This is a brief video showing the most comfortable way of threading the reed that I have found.

Video 5: Tying on to the apron rod 8:24
I have tried many methods of tying on to the apron rod over the years. This is the best method I have found.

Bonus video: Knots, knots, knots! 5:00
A review of some of the knots I use when warping the loom as shown in the videos above.

Overhand loop for the guide thread
Slipknot at the start of the warp
Slipknot for joining 2 threads
Overhand knot for joining 2 threads
Twining the counting thread
Tying off the warp chain

Bonus video: Threading a loom/ Threading Tips 7:00
This is a short video that shows how I thread a loom and check my work. This method has been a life saver for me. I count out heddles and threads for a small section of my draft. This allows me to thread, check, and catch my mistakes before proceeding to the next group.

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Twisting Fringe Step by Step

Videos, videos, videos!

Pattie Lamb

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