Weaving a V-Cowl

Welcome to Kari Fell’s studio! Here’s a step-by-step look at how I create a hand dyed, handwoven v-cowl.
If you have found information here that is useful to your own weaving or dyeing practice, please consider becoming a Kari Fell, artist patron. I am an artist by trade and this is one way I can be compensated for all my work. Thank you! The Patreon link is below.
Website: www.karifell.com/
Online Store: karifellartist.square.site/
Facebook Page: / karifellartist
KZbin: / @karifellweaves
Patreon: / karifellart

[@feltlikeitbydebs]

Thanks Kari for sharing. I am new to weaving and am inspired.

[@carolynadams2275]

Stunning

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this.

[@kathyb4266]

What a great video. Very helpful; Thanks, Kari.

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful.

[@woolywonders5546]

It is beautiful! The dye and weave!

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thank you!

[@VictorLopez-ty2qj]

Oh wow! They dye part was so cool and the colors are nice. Great video!

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@elainemacrae3329]

Love it, Kari. Really interesting; you have covered so many aspects of the project. I'm sure you'll inspire a lot of dyers and weavers.

[@KariFellWeaves]

Elaine MacRae Thank you Elaine! I’m enjoying documenting my work.

[@RuthHenriquez1]

This is an excellent tutorial and a very elegant weaving you've made. The colors and the cloth are beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

[@KariFellWeaves]

You are so welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@Palouseweaver]

Thank you for sharing your process from the dyeing to finishing!

[@KariFellWeaves]

You are so welcome!

[@marysroper]

thanks so much for sharing!

[@KariFellWeaves]

You are welcome! Thank you for popping by my studio!

[@perreaultdanielle7230]

Great video!! Thank you very much!

[@KariFellWeaves]

You are welcome. Glad you liked it!

[@Sayonda]

Thanks for sharing 😍😍😍😍

[@KariFellWeaves]

My pleasure 😊

[@ruth8756]

Kari, it is a fantastic tutorial! !! You really inspire me! Thanks for sharing

[@KariFellWeaves]

You are welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@ruth8756]

@@KariFellWeaves , kari, When Would I begin crossing the beginning of warp? Love learning from your tutorials! I hope you share more!

[@KariFellWeaves]

@@ruth8756 I usually stop weaving as soon as the packing drops off the back beam and the knots are in view. Then I unroll and untie the beginning. I have a detailed video of that coming soon.

[@ruth8756]

@@KariFellWeaves It is really kind of you to respond! I also enjoy learning about how you dye yarn! I am very excited learning to weave!! I saw that you are Canadian! My son had a Canadian girlfriend. She is now visiting for several months ( due to Coronavirus issues). We are in Cleveland, Ohio. She is from Toronto. I also found about Brassard thread and bought some. Lots of WONDERFUL things coming from Canada. I am from Costa Rica living in Cleveland. My husband and son are from Germany (born and raised in the Black Forest). Awesome to have contact with you! !!Blessings.

[@candywham3657]

Gorgeous! How long was your scarf "before" you started weaving in the other direction?

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thank you! I'm guessing 60 to 70 inches, as I don't really measure. I put on a 8 or 9 ft warp, leave 16" at the start, and weave until the packing falls off.

[@JanetMorganmorgana]

It's lovely, Kari, i was thinking of using 4 ply/fingering weight yarn with a 10 dent heddle, do you think that would work please?

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thanks exactly what I usually use. Make sure your beat is light so you get a square weave and you will be fine!

[@JanetMorganmorgana]

@@KariFellWeaves Thanks so much, Kari, Ive only used DK and 8 dent so far but I want to try something different and lighter

[@koffipot]

Thank you, another helpful video. Your warp separator looks interesting, what is it please. Also, how much do you weave before making the cross weave? I made one recently which is only fit to be cut up and made into something else! Now I'm ready to start over. Thanks again. :)

[@KariFellWeaves]

The separator is cheap placemats from the dollar store. They can be cut to width, roll easily and are stiff enough to keep the ends from sliding off the sides. I weave as far as I possibly can on my 8-9 ft warp. It usually ends up somewhere between 62 to 72 inches. I stop when the separator falls off.

[@lgmakes9412]

I really enjoy how you show one project from beginning to end. I do my own dying as well, plus weaving, so I really appreciate seeing all of your steps. Thank you for sharing!

[@KariFellWeaves]

​@@lgmakes9412 You are welcome! It's a lot of work, but I enjoy showing the entire process.

[@user-zz1oc2vx1j]

What size heddle did you use to weave the v cow.? Your video is very inspiring. PETA

[@KariFellWeaves]

I believe I used a 10 dent heddle.

[@suzetermaat9602]

Lovely dying Yarn, what for dye are you using.

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thank you. I use ProChem acid dyes.

[@patriciapoot1180]

How did you attach the woven fabric that you removed from the fabric beam? A very important step for beginners that you have left out

[@KariFellWeaves]

You are correct. I left it out on purpose, as this video was not meant as a tutorial for beginners. It was not meant as a tutorial at all. Later in my KZbin journey I started to give more instruction. You can find what you are looking for here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqGTgJ2Pgpl_abc Enjoy!

[@leighskowronski5886]

How many inches do you weave before you start the V part? Do you have a standard number of inches you always use or does it vary?

[@KariFellWeaves]

I weave until the packing drops away from the back beam. It makes for a very tight shed near the end, but that means I can use all of the warp. For my loom, that means 16 inches of warp (including any knots).

[@emmasmom60]

A silly question, maybe. When you weave the front piece of your fabric, do you raise and lower the shed as normal, but just pass all the yarn from the same side?

[@KariFellWeaves]

Not silly. Yes, that's right. I show the process in more detail in the video "Weaving a V-cowl (all the important bits...)"

[@katesh12]

What is that yellow/green paper at the end of your weaving?

[@KariFellWeaves]

Katherine Sheehan It is painter’s tape. It holds the weft in place until I can twist the fringes.

[@thaisoneon]

Excellent video. Gorgeous cowl! I only wish I understood how to determine the correct length. Too short and it chokes. Too long and it droops while also failing to keep the neck warm. I’m dying to knit or weave a cowl but need to understand how to size it.

[@KariFellWeaves]

I weave 60" before weaving back into itself. I suppose that might vary for a bigger or smaller person. You could pin up an existing scarf and then measure.

[@jessicaspaid198]

What dent heddle are you using?

[@KariFellWeaves]

This one is a 10 dent. Some of my cowls have used 7.5 or 12.5. It depends on the yarn

[@jessicaspaid198]

@@KariFellWeaves thank you. I have been wanting to use some fingering weight and had thought to use my 12.5. Do you recommend that?

[@KariFellWeaves]

@@jessicaspaid198 That sounds right. It needs to be able to weave a balanced weave. Give it a try and make sure you are weaving the same number of picks per inch as ends per inch. If not, you will have trouble when you get to the V part of the cowl.

[@jessicaspaid198]

@@KariFellWeaves I just finished my first v cowl! However it’s not long enough to loop twice. I did a 3 yard warp but I don’t know what length I should do next time to make it loopable like yours. I have felted it down so that it hangs better in its single loop format but I really want a double loop like yours!

[@KariFellWeaves]

@@jessicaspaid198 I find 3 yards works for me as I eek out every last inch of it. I have a loom with a short distance between front and back beam, which may help. Also, I untie the knots, rather than cut, to use them in the fringe. Do what works for you. Add a foot or even a yard. Sampling is the best way to get the results you are looking for.