Chenille Woven Scarf

Chenille Scarf
Woven on 15" Schacht Cricket Rigid Heddle Loom
 10-dent reed
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Cotton Clouds Weaving Kit $60
Shown in Red Maple
Available in different color kits

Structure: Plain weave
Pattern in two sizes- 10" and 7" width
(shown in 10" size)

This scarf occupied my Cricket rigid heddle loom for about two years.  I hate to admit that, but it is true.  I finally finished it as a birthday present for my mom exactly two birthdays after the one I intended.  It's wild how fast time can fly and how unforgiving weaving projects can be in reminding you of exactly how much time has swooshed past.  This was the first project I have ever woven using Chenille, and I really loved the results.  Chenille has a bad reputation for being a little fussy or difficult to weave, and while I did experience some tension issues, overall it was not a bad experience.

The colors were absolutely beautiful.  I did not purchase this kit.  In fact, my mom did but then decided against weaving the project.  She suggested I take the yarn so it would not go to waste, so of course I did.  The pattern, as written, was a little difficult to follow for a rigid heddle loom.  I ended up winging it, choosing to warp in a 1-2-1 scheme where every other dent was double stuffed in a 10-dent reed.  This may have been the intent of the original write-up, in which case...good. I think you may have good results, too, if you used an 8-dent reed and double stuffed every heddle.  I did not try this, though, but it was my understanding the goal was for 16 epi.

I do not have a close up picture of the fringe, which a really regret, but you can crimp chenille for a really special finish.  This is achieved by weaving a large section of waste yarn at the beginning and end of the fabric that is removed after wet finishing.

While the warp threads are multiple colors, with groupings of the variegated, solid orange and solid brown, the weft is all the solid brown chenille.  I love how the colors shift vertically and the extra interest is added with the occasional splash of variegated thread.  When the scarf first came off the loom, it was very stiff and felt a little bit like the interior of our family's 1992 minivan when I was a kid.  However, using special finishing techniques for the fiber made a HUGE difference.  I am posting those tips as a tutorial, it is well worth a peek if you plan on using chenille.

Bottom Line:  The pattern itself was not amazing, but the colors and materials were a lot of fun, making the kit a nice choice. The color shifts in the warp are dynamic and make for a beautiful finished project.  The project itself is easy to weave, as it has a plain weave structure and, once warped, is not fussy. Do consider reading up on the best ways to handle chenille on a loom if you have never used the material before.