We’re smack-dab in the middle of Summer here at WEBS and thought that would be the perfect time to bring you The Santa Fe Summer dish towels from Chris Hammel as the 7th in our year-long series of special guest designer weaving drafts.

Chris says, “Valley Yarns 8/2 unmercerized cotton is perfect for thirsty, washable, kitchen towels, and what could be better than a bright, cheery towel in lively colors that evoke a Santa Fe summer. This 4-shaft draft is easy to thread and weave and will result in an ample kitchen towel. If you would like to increase the length of your warp, you could try different treadling variations for each subsequent towel and create a set for yourself or gifts for family and friends.”

Using sewing thread to weave 1″ of plain weave as the the under-hem for each end of the towel gives your hems a much less visible profile. Bonus: If you use a sewing thread like Gutermann you can pop the thread right onto your shuttle without needing to wind a separate bobbin!

This month we present our 5th Anniversary Draft, The Foxhead Dish Towels from Scott Norris woven on 4-shafts in Valley Yarns 20/2 and 40/2  linen. Scott loves weaving with our fine linens and has put together a gorgeous draft that shows off this fiber’s beauty and versatility.

About the draft Scott says, “Towels woven with fine linen are a pure pleasure. The combination of Valley Yarns 40/2 linen (warp and tabby weft) and 20/2 for the pattern weft is perfect for this delicate overshot pattern. Linen may have a reputation as hard to work with, but if you follow the instructions for these towels you will find that with a little care you will come to love the process and the product!”

He is a long time friend of WEBS and one of our most popular teachers. Scott will be here this summer teaching Beginning Weaving – One Week Intensive and in August, the once-monthly Weaving for the Advanced Beginner.