Weaving with Linen – Tips and Tricks for a Successful Weave

Weaving with Linen: Essential Tips for Success

Weaving with linen yarn may seem challenging for some weavers. It’s often said that it’s hard to work with or that achieving smooth selvages can be difficult. However, linen is a natural fiber with many advantages—it’s strong, durable, and has a unique texture.

Before starting a linen weaving project, it’s crucial to choose the right thread, as not all linen threads are suitable for the warp.

Types of Linen Threads

Depending on the spinning process, linen threads fall into two main categories:

- Wet-spun linen: Made from long fibers, this process produces a fine, smooth, and strong linen thread, ideal for both warp and weft. The Normandy linen thread we offer follows this technique, ensuring a beautiful sheen and excellent durability.

- Dry-spun linen: Made from shorter fibers, this type of thread is often coarser and lower in quality, making it less ideal for high-end weaving projects.

💡 Tip: If you want to lower costs while making weaving easier, consider using cotton or cottolin for the warp, while keeping linen for the weft.

Expert Tips for Weaving with Linen

 1. Maintain Even Tension

• Linen has a rough texture, sometimes resembling burlap. Keep a consistent tension when winding the warp.

 2. Control Thread Unwinding

• Due to its fiber properties, linen may unwind unevenly from the shuttle. Use an open-bottom shuttle so your ring finger can easily control the thread tension.

 3. Increase Humidity for Better Weaving

• Linen becomes softer and easier to work with when slightly damp. Try these methods:
  • Use a humidifier in your workspace
  • Lightly mist your warp as you weave
  • Place your bobbins in the freezer before use
  • Pre-wet the thread on the bobbins and store them in an airtight container

 4. Keep Warp Tension Consistent

• To stabilize your threads, mist your warp after tying it and weave a few inches before starting your main project.

 5. Wash Linen for a Softer Finish

• Linen fabric may feel stiff after weaving, but don’t worry! The more you wash it, the softer it becomes.
• Linen tends to wrinkle, but a little moisture is the best way to remove creases.

Shop Our Linen Weaving Supplies

🔗 Natural & Dyed Linen 16/1 Bockens Thread
🔗 Natural & Dyed Linen 16/1 Bockens Thread
🔗 Warp linen 12/4 Maurice Brassard
🔗 Fil de lin de chaîne Bockens
🔗 Book: Homegrown Linen: Transforming Flaxseed into Fibre
🔗 Book: Homegrown Linen: Transforming Flaxseed into Fibre \

Happy weaving! 😊