Houndstooth How-To

You know what a houndstooth check is, right? It's typically in black and white, and found on elegant wool coats, or handbags. I went digging into this famous pattern to see what went into creating it and I'm sharing all my tips and tricks with you!
I hope you enjoy episode 78 of A Handwoven Experience titled, "Houndstooth How-To".
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[@sairamgiramgiram3310]

Thank 🎉

[@ActonCreative]

@@sairamgiramgiram3310 I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@carolegilles1]

Thank you ! You make everything look easy!

[@ActonCreative]

You're so welcome!! I promise you can do it!

[@stamperitis]

Green!!! Love it. Tanya

[@ActonCreative]

Right? Me, too!!!!

[@susanchapman6080]

Does the number of warp and weft of each color matter. What I mean is; can you do a houndstooth with more or less? For example can you do a 2 of white and a 2 of black or a 6 and 6? I love a houndstooth but I haven't tried it yet. Also, How do you carry your weft from the previous color?

[@ActonCreative]

Hi Susan! Great questions! As long as you do the same numbers for both colors, and in both the warp & weft, it should work! When changing weft colors, I simply try to avoid large loops on the edge of my fabric. So if the white weft is hanging out, waiting for its turn, I try to loop the black weft around it to keep it tucked into the fabric. Hope that helps! Great questions!!

[@carolinac7628]

Great video! What kind of thread did you use? Thank you

[@ActonCreative]

Hi! Thank you for the compliment! I'm using a Maysville carpet warp for both the warp and the weft. It's an unmercerized cotton that comes in lots of colors, and isn't very expensive. The downside is that it does some fairly serious shrinking if you wash it, and it doesn't hold its shape in fringe. So, when you use it, I recommend giving your fringe a twist or a braid or a knot, so things stay neat! Otherwise, I love working with it!

[@NoBootyBeauty]

Great video! I thought that the blend of greens in the middle section produced a lovely subtle pattern which makes it much more wearable for me personally, and cannot wait until I am accomplished enough to give this a try!

[@ActonCreative]

Thank you!! Ooh, I do hope you give it a try!!

[@gaurang3442]

It is possible in 3 colour ?

[@ActonCreative]

Great question! What I found is that to get a pattern that reads as a houndstooth, you need 2 colors in the warp, and the same 2 colors in the weft. But, I'm sure there's a way to do it! I just haven't discovered it yet. When I worked with 3 colors, it simply looked like a twill. Will you keep me posted if you figure it out? That would be awesome! Thanks!!

[@gaurang3442]

Okay...... Thank you for response If I can do i will send you !

[@dianaabel1670]

What is the tie up pattern?

[@ActonCreative]

Hi Diana! I have my treadles tied up so I'm always lifting 2 neighboring shafts at the same time to create a 2/2 twill. So, 1&2, 2&3, 3&4, 4&1. Does that answer your question?

[@dianaabel1670]

@@ActonCreative yes it sure does thank you for being so quick.

[@dianaabel1670]

@@ActonCreative this tie up will give the houndstooth look? I have my heddles threaded 1,2,3,4 all the way across

[@ActonCreative]

@@dianaabel1670 Yep! It's really all about the colors!