Plain weave
One over, one under. The simplest interlacing makes a balanced, dependable cloth with a rhythm you can follow by eye.
An independent textile journal · No. 01A story,
A story,
one thread
at a time.
Woven cloth is a quiet record of decisions. A colour, a crossing, a small repetition. We collect the details worth slowing down for.
Explore the pattern archive ↗The archive
Three ways to cross.
The same two sets of threads can become surprisingly different surfaces. Choose a palette to see the structure change character.
Current palette: Terracotta
Twill
Each row shifts its crossing one step along. The resulting diagonal gives familiar denim its direction and gentle flexibility.
Basket weave
Threads travel in small groups, creating a larger checkerboard. A simple change of scale makes the structure feel open and tactile.
At the worktableSmall observations,
Small observations,
lasting patterns.
This almanac celebrates the patient work behind everyday materials. Look closely at a sleeve, a tea towel or a well-used blanket: the structure is already there.
Warp and weft
The warp runs along the length of the cloth, held under tension on the loom. The weft crosses it from side to side. Their meeting is where a woven surface begins.
Why make a sample?
A small swatch lets the maker test colour, spacing and tension before committing to a larger piece. It is a useful place to notice, adjust and begin again.
Reading the selvedge
The finished edge of woven cloth keeps the threads together. Its density, tiny loops and changes in tension often reveal something of how the fabric was made.