The Big Book of Weaving

Reviewed by Joanne Hall on September 14, 2008

Handweaving in the Swedish Tradition: Techniques, patterns, Designs and Materials.

by Laila Lundell, Revised and Expanded Edition with Elisabeth Windesjö. (Swedish title: Stora Vävboken)

This book was first published in Sweden in 1976, and has been used by schools and weaving programs in Sweden. I teach warping using the first edition. I treasure my l993 second edition, although I have to read it in Swedish. Fortunately—with the third edition—this great resource is now in English.

If you start at the beginning of this book, you can teach yourself to weave. The first fifty pages take you step-by-step from reading project notes to weaving the cloth. Numerous diagrams show you exactly how to warp and weave your first practice piece.

Vocabulary is taught by putting new words in italics, often followed by a page number or references to read. These words are in the glossary at the back of the book with the page number where it is first used.

The projects in this new edition are contemporary and very practical, with complete, easy-to-understand instructions. There are more than forty projects, most new for the third edition. Each project introduces you to a new technique. The first ones explain planning warp stripes, weft stripes, types of twills and reading drafts. Later projects show you draft analysis and profile drafts.

There are instructions for determining sett, choosing a reed, calculating materials, etc. The projects are varied and you will learn techniques for different types of weaving: towels, rag rugs, pillows, blankets, bags and fabric weaving, and finishing techniques.

Interesting projects include a fulled woolen bag, rep rugs and runners, curtains, weaving with beads, decorative weaves and even a rya-woven bicycle seat. You learn how to weave unusual materials such as paper in addition to more popular fibers, like alpaca. Projects advance into double-woven blankets, tapestry, furnishing fabrics and end with four projects using 10 and 12 shafts, including a 12-shaft double-weave blanket.

Drafts are written in the traditional way, marked shafts in the tie-up go down. The diagrams in the book show floor looms, but the narrower projects could also be woven on table looms. Both centimeters and inches are used in the instructions and many of the yarns suggested are commonly available in the US and Canada. Yarn sizes are given so you can make substitutions.

Extra warping and weaving information at the back of the book fills 80 pages including advanced warping and tie-up techniques, finding and fixing problems. Also discussed is how to use weaving equipment like texsolv heddles and cord, temples and shed sticks for pick-up weaving. There are instructions for inlay, weaving with a fringe on the selvage, using a cartoon, and weaving the full width of your loom. There is also information on weaving with linen and finishing techniques.

You will be inspired by these projects. And this book will answer your weaving questions. Whether you learn to weave on your own or in a class, this book should be at your side.