In a previous post about the Olive + Oranges Scarf, I mentioned that there’d be a short tutorial on how I do my twisted fringe. There are a variety of other folks who have posted their methods, and this is mine.
When the weaving is completed, it gets cut from the loom and allowed to "relax" for a couple of days. The reason for this is to allow the stretched warp threads to relax to their normal length and keep the future fringe from pulling up/into the woven piece.
Step One: Let the weaving relax.
Step Two: Trim the woven piece to the desired length using a rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat.
Step Three: Then, using something heavy to weigh down the weaving, begin knotting the fringe as close to the weaving as possible. (You can use anything you prefer for the weight. In this case, I’ve put a heavy stack of Bibles to good use.)
Details of the knotted fringe before twisting commences, below.
Step Four: Divide your knotted group in half and clip the ends into the clips of the fringe twister. Begin twisting. Now, keep in mind the direction that the yarn was spun, and twist in that direction.
Step Five: Carefully remove the ends from the twister and tie a little knot in the end. (See, Kathie K, the word is c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y.)
Step Six: Release the knotted end and let it twist. And, viola, a twisted fringe! That’s all there is to it.
My 2-clip twister.
You can clearly see in this next photo the difference between the twisted fringe and the plain yarn edging. It really does give the woven piece a clean, finished look. And, after all the work that went into bringing the piece this far, from dyeing and weaving, it deserves that final finishing touch.
Detail of the finished twisted fringe.
And, my fringe twister assistant…
The finished scarf:
Mary K. in Rockport
It looks like you don’t lose much length in the twisting? I would have thought you’d need a much longer untwisted yarn to get a twisted fringe that long – hmmm, interesting.
Feb 16, 2009 @ 8:30 am
Chris
Was your assistant as well behaved as he looks in that photo?!
Feb 16, 2009 @ 8:32 am
Roxie
I wondered how the ends got that nice fluffed up look. Your assistant does a good job!
Feb 16, 2009 @ 9:07 am
Lynn
An assistant? I figured him more of an inspector.
Feb 16, 2009 @ 10:24 am
Zoe
Very interesting Dave and such a lovely scarf.
Feb 16, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
sara
I am thinking that twisted fringe would look great on a knit scraf…
Feb 16, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
Kathie Kelleher
Ah, carefully… now I get it!
Thanks so much Dave. Your photos make it all so clear.
I really like the idea of letting the yarn rest.
I think my main problem was not having a fringe twister assistant
Feb 16, 2009 @ 5:11 pm
Robin
You’re right, the twisted fringe gives it a very nice professional and finished look. I think having your assistant is crucial!
Feb 16, 2009 @ 10:57 pm
humblebumble
hey, _nice_ scarf. what material is that?
Feb 16, 2009 @ 11:17 pm
Susan
Nice method for wools! It gives the best finish for your handspun. ( nice sidekick to help you too)
If you were to weave with an non stretchy fibre such as cotton or tencel ….then you must give it extra twist in both directions. It will be really loose otherwise.
But with such drop dead gorgeous handspun why would you want to use anyhting else?
Hope you are feeling better…
Susan
Feb 17, 2009 @ 1:20 am
CC
Aahhh – now I see my problem. I wasn’t putting in the initial knot next to the weaving.
Thanks so much Dave!
I really appreciate this Tutorial.
Feb 17, 2009 @ 11:34 am
mrspao
Nice tutorial. I’m just reminding myself that I can’t have a loom!!
Feb 17, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
Duffy
So what do you do if you don’t have a fringe twister?
Feb 19, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
Cheryl
That is so cool! I love twisted fringe. Thanks for showing how you do it. What a great assistant!
Feb 19, 2009 @ 11:08 pm