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Caernarfon Welsh Blanket

Valerie wove this traditional Welsh blanket pattern in Garnhuset 6/2 wool.

A traditional "Caernarfon" pattern Welsh blanket being woven on a loom.
Close-up image of a Welsh blanket on the loom.

There are a few different traditional patterns for Welsh blankets, and this one is Caernarfon.  The thing that all the patterns have in common is that you have to have a 16 shaft loom to weave the two layers.

The blanket was woven at 10 ends per inch per layer.  This produced a good medium to firm fabric.  However, whilst it looks good, it was a little difficult to weave due to the density in the reed.  The way I overcame this was to beat on an open shed so that the layers were separated. 

Valerie
Samples of the Welsh blanket, with a ruler on top for scale.

Samples of the blanket. The original sample underneath, with a small section on top which had been through a machine wash.

Valerie