Running Stitch Napkins

A timeless set of napkins to add to your table linens collection, woven with Duet in two contrasting hues. Color-and-weave is used here to create a pattern reminiscent of hand-stitched or quilted fabrics.

You can download an updated version of this pattern and purchase a kit here. 

Designed and woven byChristine Jablonski for GIST: Yarn & Fiber

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Materials 

Warp & Weft:2 cones of Duet Cotton/Linen (1/4 lb cones, 2,390 yd/lb) in contrasting colors, shown here in Dusk and Chambray

Project Notes

• Tools Required: Rigid heddle loom at least 10" wide, 12 or 12.5 dent reed, 2 boat shuttles & bobbins or 2 stick shuttles
  
• EPI: 12 
  
• PPI: ~12
  
• Width at Reed: 9" 
  
• Warp Ends: 120 (note: some ends are doubled, reducing the width at reed)
  
• Warp Length: 2 yards, includes 36" for loom waste and sampling
  
• Draft: Tabby (plain weave), color-and-weave        
• Total warp yarn used: ~240 yards
• Total weft yarn used: ~108 yards
• Woven Length (measured under tension on the loom): 9" per napkin
• Finished Dimensions: 4 napkins that measure ~8" W x 8" L each after washing
• Finishing Details: Hemstitch, or machine stitched hem with frayed edge         
  
• Care Instructions: Machine wash cold on delicate cycle, air dry or tumble dry low, press as needed

Instructions

• Color A = Duet Cotton/Linen in Dusk
• Color B = Duet Cotton/Linen in Chambray

1. Warp the loom using your preferred method (direct or indirect) with a total of 120 warp ends, 2 yards long, following the warp color order below. Center for a weaving width of 9" and sley as follows:

• 2 ends of Color A sleyed with a single thread per hole and slot
• 2 ends of Color B (held together as one) sleyed with both threads in the same hole or slot

Repeat these steps 10 more times. There will be 11 stripes (22 ends, since Color B is doubled) of Color B in the warp

• 76 ends of Color A.  

2.Begin and end each napkin with hemstich, if that is your preferred method. You can also machine stitch each edge when you have finished weaving (as pictured). Weave following the color order below.

• 4 picks of Color A in alternating sheds 
• 2 picks of Color B in the same shed, beating between each pick, so that color B is doubled in the weft. Be sure to catch the thread at the selvedge when you throw the second pick so that you do not unweave the first pick.
• 2 picks of Color A in alternating sheds

Repeat these last two steps until you have 10 rows of Color B (doubled picks). Then weave with Color A in alternating sheds until the napkin measures 9" in loom. Weave with scrap yarn for about an 1" between each napkin to leave room for fringe.

3. After removing the yardage from the loom (and before cutting the napkins apart) use a sewing machine to straight stitch the ends of each napkin, making sure to back-stitch the first few and last few stitches to secure the edges of the hem. The stitching should be about 1/2" from the scrap yarn marker on either side. Cut the napkins apart at the scrap yarn marker, leaving a short fringe on either side. Machine wash cold on delicate and air dry (or tumble dry low if preferred). Press as needed. If you chose to hemstitch the edges, cut apart the napkins at the center of the 1" space left for fringe, then wash.

About Christine Jablonski

In addition to being GIST's Operations Manager and Wholesale Director, Christine is a weaver and exhibiting fiber artist. She scampered down the rabbit hole of rigid heddle weaving several years ago as a way to use up her knitting stash and never looked back. In addition to very practical cloth woven to adorn home and body (tea towels are her favorite home linen projects to weave), Christine also weaves conceptual works that explore themes of mood and memory, strength and fragility, and often reflect on the current political and ecological landscape. Her work is held in private collections across the country and is shown regionally in New England galleries. To see more of Christine's work, check out her Instagram.