The Spring 2025 issue of Handwoven magazine contains two articles describing how “sashiko” (Japanese embroidery) patterns can be adapted to weaving. I’m interested in Japanese culture and crafts since my son and daughter-in-law live in Tokyo. While visiting Japan I once purchased a small, hand made embroidered coin purse from a craftswoman selling her wares at a museum in Takayama.
When I read the Handwoven articles I recognized the pattern on my coin purse and was inspired to try my hand at weaving sashiko. Using an online pattern generator (forresto.com/sashiko) I generated a simple sashiko pattern.
Following the steps outlined in “Create Sashiko Weaving Drafts with Ease”, I was next able to create a weaving draft using Fiberworks.
I quickly learned that keeping my pattern yarn off to the side of my bench helped me in carrying the yarn up the selvedge edge. I used stacked crates to create a resting place for the shuttle.
Creating and weaving sashiko designs was fun and easy to do. Using a varigated yarn for the pattern might produce some interesting visual effects in combination with the background color. Something I’m looking forward to trying next!
I created the runner using 5/2 cotton warp and weft sett at 15 epi using a 10 dent reed.
References:
Forrest O and Beth Ross Johnson (forresto.com/sashiko), Hitomezashi Sashiko Pattern Generator.
McConnell, Mary, Create Sashiko Weaving Drafts with Ease, Handwoven, Spring 2025.
McConnell, Mary, Sashiko Trails Table Linens, Handwoven, Spring 2025.
Loomcraft Weaver 