The Core of Crackle

[@katherinelamb614]

You have such a nice way of describing the process.I’m going to try this. Ty

[@ActonCreative]

Oh yay!! Let me know how it goes!

[@leightate7491]

This is a good introductory explanation of crackle. Very helpful. Thanks Chris.

[@ActonCreative]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@marianaortega5547]

I love watching your videos 😊😊

[@ActonCreative]

Oh yay!!! And I'm so glad you're here!

[@Jill4Today]

You always give me food for my loom. Thank you

[@ActonCreative]

Oh, I love that - "food for my loom"!!!

[@Rasala-c4z]

Thank you so much, Chris! When I am looking for an explanation of a weaving concept that I just became aware of, I know that I can count on you!!!! I’m excited to move forward!!!!

[@ActonCreative]

I'm so glad this was helpful! Yay!

[@anng4382]

Thank you Chris for such a wonderful straightforward explanation of ‘crackle’

[@ActonCreative]

You're welcome, Ann! My pleasure!

[@deniseengel1451]

Thanks for explaining crackle. Looks fun.

[@ActonCreative]

If you decide to give it a try, let me know! I'd love to hear about your experience!

[@DeForestRanger]

Well, you've convinced me to venture into crackle. Believe it or not, I've never woven it. I have no excuse for that, so I'm going to start looking at drafts for my next project. Thank you as always for inspiring me yet again!

[@ActonCreative]

While I haven't been weaving nearly as long as you have, this was my first crackle project! I had done a sampler that included it previously, but had never done a deep dive. So I completely understand how it could fly under your radar!

[@DeForestRanger]

My problem is that I never get that far back in the book. My attention is usually grabbed by overshot or summer-and-winter!@@ActonCreative

[@ActonCreative]

@@DeForestRanger I completely understand!!

[@robertrobert5583]

That's interesting. The current edition of Handwoven (September / October 2023) has a polychrome crackle scarf that I made and really liked. I think it's my favourite weave so far. But I didn't realise at the time that it was a type of point twill. Now looking at the draft I see it! Are you using floating selvedges on your weave?

[@ActonCreative]

How cool is that timing? Fun!! I opted not to use floating selvedges this time around and instead did about an inch of straight draw threading on each side of the fabric.

[@saraht855]

You have such a nice and gentle beating action with your looms. I watched one man beating his weaving with such vigour it was almost violent and pretty horrible to watch. Would have liked a little close up of the fabric (while you were working or otherwise), but maybe in a future video :)

[@ActonCreative]

Thank you so much for the feedback! I really appreciate it!

[@saraht855]

@@ActonCreative you are welcome! Looking forward at some point to understand all the terms you use! (I feel like when I was a newbie watching Gillian Eve spinning videos and now I understand them

[@ActonCreative]

@@saraht855 You will definitely get there!!

[@phyllishoward1699]

Thanks for the video! I broke my arm on Monday, so I am going to be just watching for quite a while! My question is, does a crackle draft give you all the treadling for the weft, or does the “tabby” part remain ‘understood’ as in most overshot drafts I’ve looked at?

[@ActonCreative]

Hi Phyllis! I'm so sorry about the arm! I hope it heals quickly! That's a great question! The tabby is implied - just like overshot. But what's lovely about crackle is that you don't have to include a tabby if you are switching treadles with each pick. In other words, unless you're doing a draft that requires repeats in the treadling (like 1&2, then 1&2 again), you can skip the plain weave in between because the floats are so short! This opens up so many possibilities! I hope that makes sense! Let me know if you have follow up questions!

[@phyllishoward1699]

Yes, I think I’m understanding…thanks!

[@sandraeasthope3010]

What is the crackle pattern number, please?

[@ActonCreative]

13380 on handweaving.net. But I couldn't keep up with the complicated treadling, so what you see in the video is really, really simplified!