Weaving with two or more colors is a great way to enhance and enliven your weaving. Though it’s annoying to weave in ends, I find it’s worth the effort because it’s fun to use two colors and the results are often beautiful. (I developed a method of working in ends as I go—see links at the bottom of this post).

By accident I discovered that changing colors on different layers makes a pattern look different. It can change a blah pattern into something spectacular. Case in point:

“Diamonds Stitch” (See Glossary for explanation of abbreviations)

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Summer’s the time to celebrate independence and liberty. I don’t know enough about French holidays to know if you’re supposed to say, “Happy Bastille Day” (July 14), but it seems like a thing to celebrate to me. I also don’t know anything about French politics, but I embrace the basic concept of liberty, equality, and brotherhood.

In “Old Glory” we learned how to change colors during L4. This tutorial will demonstrate “fussy” color changing in the warping layers. I use a reverse slip knot to secure yarn quickly to the loom (I use my fingers to make the knot rather than a crochet hook). It’s easy to untie after the square is off the loom.

Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité

L1&3: BS “Loyal Royal,” RHS “White,” RHS “Really Red
L2&4: RHS “White

Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité

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In honor of Flag Day on 14 June, here’s a pattern representing the USA flag. It’s my intention to continue the weave-along (WAL) by posting patterns for the Union Jack and, while not strictly a flag, a maple leaf for my neighbors to the north. We’ll wind up the WAL with another patriotic pattern (possibly something French for Bastille Day, 14 July).

Old Glory

L1-3: RHS “White”
L4: CSS “Harvest Red” / CSS “Dark Country Blue”

Old Glory

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For SP

A member of the Facebook Pin Loom Weaving Support Group asked me today if I knew of a weaving pattern featuring a cross. I only knew of plus-shaped crosses, so I offered to design one for her. Here are the results. I’ve included possible modifications below the instructions. After another group member, Sandi Suggs, wove up both versions, I’ve decided the change in “Cross 2” looks better, but I’m not sure changing “Cross 1” would yield good results.

Cross 1

L1-3: YBSS “Light Denim”
L4: RHS “Navy”

Cross 1

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Flower 1

L1-3: CSS “Watermelon”
L4: YBSS “Olive”

Flower 1

R1: P
R2: P14, U3, P14
R3: P
R4: Rpt R2
R5: P11, O3, P17
R6: P14, U3, P2, O3, P9
R7: (P7, O3) x 2, P11
R8: P9, O3, P2, U3, P6, O3, P5
R9: P3, O3, P15, O3, P7
R10: P5, O3, P4, U3, O1, U3, P12
R11: P8, (U3, P3) x 2, U3, P8
R12: P6, U3, O1, U3, P5, U3, O1, U3, P6
R13: Rpt R11
R14: P12, U3, O1, U3, P12
R15: Rpt R2
R16: P

This version of the pattern is appropriate for this warping configuration (L1-3/L4). If using a single color, you may also use this rewritten version or the one just below.

Blue stitches are O3

 

Flower 2 (single color version)

No Sample

R1: P
R2: P14, U3, P14
R3: P
R4: Rpt R2
R5: P9, O3, U3, P16
R6: P14, U3, P3, U3, O3, P5
R7: U1, O3, U3, P9, U3, O3, P9
R8: P5, O3, U3, P3, U3, P14
R9: P24, U3, P4
R10: P12, U3, O1, U3, P12
R11: P8, (U3, P3) x 2, U3, P8
R12: P6, U3, O1, U3, P5, U3, O1, U3, P6
R13: Rpt R11
R14: Rpt R10
R15: Rpt R2
R16: P

Blue stitches are O3. Light blue stitches are optional.