Flop or Not?

Flop or Not? A Surprising Journey with Bamboo Yarn on a Triloom

When I set out to weave a shawl on my 5ft triloom, I envisioned a smooth, elegant fabric. What I ended up with was something entirely unexpected—and possibly even better. Let  me take you through the process and results, so you can decide: was this a flop, or a happy accident?

The Setup:

I began by positioning the triloom on a table with the hypotenuse down and the point of the triangle at the top. My plan was to warp the loom horizontally and then weave vertically. For this project, I chose a bamboo yarn from Hobby Lobby. Bamboo yarn seemed like a good idea at the time; it’s soft, has a lovely sheen, and drapes beautifully. However, its slick nature quickly presented challenges.

Weaving Process:

As I started weaving, the bamboo yarn proved to be quite tricky. Its slippery texture made it difficult to maintain consistent tension, and I noticed the yarn moving and shifting out of place. Still, I pressed on, curious to see how it would all come together.

The Washing Surprise:

The real surprise came after washing the shawl. The loose weave, combined with the slickness of the bamboo yarn, caused the threads to clump together in unexpected ways. Initially, I feared the project was a total failure. However, as the shawl dried, I noticed something beautiful emerging.

The yarn had formed a lace-like pattern with gaps between several rows. The washing process had softened the yarn, reducing its slickness and allowing the pattern to stay in place. What I had once thought would be a smooth, solid fabric had transformed into a delicate, airy shawl with a unique texture.

The Final Verdict:

The end result was far from what I originally envisioned, but it was surprisingly beautiful. The clumped yarn created an intricate lace effect that added character to the shawl. While it wasn't the sleek, even fabric I had planned, the outcome had its own charm.

So, was this a flop or not? I’ll let you decide. Watch the YouTube video where I share the full journey, including the challenges and unexpected outcomes, and let me know your thoughts in the comments. Sometimes, the most rewarding projects are the ones that don’t go as planned!