Highland Guild of Weavers Spinners & Dyers

Library – Weaving

These are the books from our library that relate to weaving of all kinds. Descriptions will be added gradually. Members can browse and borrow whenever we have a Guild meeting at the Highland Hotel, Strathpeffer. To borrow at any other time, please contact us via this website. Here is the list of weaving books currently in our collection (October 2023). For annotations on the contents see below.

In addition to the books listed we have a copy of the syllabus for the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers (AGWSD) Certificate of Achievement in Tapestry Weaving; a catalogue of the 2016 AGWSD exhibition; programmes of the 2015 and 2017 summers schools; four copies of the journal (issues 256, 261, 262,263); and the slide collection 1971-2010.

The website below has been recommended by a Girl Scout who has been doing her textile badge: Crafting with your Hands: all about weaving and spinning. It has links to a lot of sites relating to weaving.

  • Weave

    An anthology of weave structures and techniques. Descriptions, colour photographs and charts.

  • Learning to Weave

    By Deborah Chandler. A four-shaft weaving course with illustrations and photographs. Relevant to both beginners and more experienced weavers.

  • Guide to Weaving

    By Alan and Gill Bridgewater. Introduction + eight graduated step-by-step projects from several ethnic traditions worldwide. Illustrated with b/w “working drawings”.

  • A handweaver’s Pattern Book

    By Marguerite Davidson. A classic: comprehensive directory of charts.

  • The Structure of Weaving

    By Ann Sutton. Explains balance and sett, shows how to draft textile weaving patterns, with examples of twills, satins, floats, mock lenos… Illus.

  • Weaving Made Easy

    By Liz Gipson. Subtitled “17 projects using a simple loom”, this is a guide to using the rigid heddle loom. Instructions, step-by-step photographs, tips and techniaques.

  • Spider’s Games

    By Phylis Morrison. A ‘how to’ book with copious black and white illustrations and drawings.

  • Designing Woven Fabrics

    By Janet Phillips. Aimed at weavers comfortable about weaving in general, who want to design and weave original fabrics. Charts, colour photographs.

  • The Technique of Weaving

    By John Tovey. Types of loom, preparation, weaving itself, specialised techniques. Diagrams, b/w photographs.

  • Weaves and Pattern Drafting

    Beyond the basics – design, planning and drafts with sections on the different types of weave. Charts and photographs. By John Tovey

  • A Handbook of Weaves

    Detailed descriptions with ‘1875 illustrations’, first published in 1915. A comprehensive reference book. By G H Oelsner

  • Leno Weave

    By Hilary Chetwynd. Slim booklet, typewritten with explanatory diagrams about this specialist weaving technique.

  • Doubleweave

    BY Jennifer Moore. The author’s goal: “to give you a solid foundation in doubleweave techniques”. Charts, colour illustrations and projects.

  • Collapse Weave

    By Anne Field. Sub title: Creating three-dimensional cloth. Clear instructions and fully illustrated with examples and diagrams.

  • The Key to Weaving

    Seven-hundred page textbook with lessons to be ‘studied in the order in which they appear’. Hailed as ‘the Handloom Weavers’ Bible. By Mary E Black

  • The Shuttle-Craft Book of American Hand-Weaving

    From the foreword: the following pages are dedicated in loving gratitude to the unnamed artists of America’s early days and are offered to the new craftsmen of America’s great present in the hope of adding a little to the general appreciation of a fine and a beautiful thing. Includes a large number of patterns and charts. By Mary Meiggs Atwater. A rare book – TWO COPIES

  • The Self-Sufficient Weaver

    ‘The newcomer to weaving will easily be able to learn and develop the fundamental skills of the craft.’ Charts, diagrams and photographs. By Jennifer Green

  • Hand-Weaving on Two-Way Looms

    Booklet with instructions, diagrams and photographs.

  • The Four-Shaft Table Loom

    Anne Field, an experienced teacher of weaving and a craftsman whose own work is highly regarded, has written this book with speciall attention to those who have no access to classes, and her clear step-by-step instruction guide the beginner through the weaving process.

  • Weaving Techniques for the Multiple-Harness Loom

    Notable for its distinct French flavour…for experienced weavers looking for clear drafts and techniques with suggestions as starting points for more inventive weaving. By Pierre Ryall

  • Creative Weaving

    By Robert Leclerc. This book is intended for those who have had at least a basic course in weaving…it shows how to created original patterns, using traditional as well as new techniques…not an album of ready made patterns.

  • Linen: Handspinning and Weaving

    By Patricia Baines. Detailed description of working with linen – bleaching, dyeing, drressing a distaff, weaving techniques and basic drafts of traditional patterns.

  • Handweavers’ Recipes for Family and Home

    By Katen Garwood-Young. This little book is written for the ‘wolud be’ weaver. The recipes all give detailed ‘ingredients’ and each covers a specific skill. Clear instructions, diagrams and photographs.

  • Handweaving

    By Mad Duchemin, translated by John Tovey. Basic techniques with line drawings, diagrams, photographs.

  • The Weaver’s Workbook

    A concise weaving course based on a creative understanding of the principles and practices of the craft. By Hilary Chetwynd

  • Weaving

    Line drawings, charts and photographs with step-by-step projects. Also touches on dyeing of yarns. By Nell Znamierowski.

  • Weaving in Style

    Instructions and photographs of 25 garments and six projects for the home, by a ‘brilliant young French weaver’. By Catherine Gourlat. Published in 1980.

  • Warp and Weave

    A comprehensive technical publication by the creator of the ‘Leclerc Loom’. The author was a leading figure of the time in the manufacture of weaving looms and accessories in Canada and beyond. By Robert Leclerc.

  • The Woolcraft Book

    Information on spinning, dyeing and weaving

  • Spinning and Weaving

    By S E Ellacott. Wide-ranging history of the development of spinning and weaving from hunter-gatherers to the modern textile industry

  • On Weaving

    …the first comprehensive treatment of the history of achievement of the Dovecot Studios…marks the major retrospective exhibition of the Dovecot tapestries at the Edinburgh Festival, 1980…contributions place the Dovecot in its European context as well as in its British roled…discuss tapestry from the artist’s and from the weaver’s point of view. By Anni Albers

  • Kumi Himo

    By Jules & Kaethe Kliot. Subtitled: Techniques of Japanese Plaiting. Introduction, instructions and diagrams, b/w monograph.

  • Tapestry Design Basics and Beyond

    By Tommy McClure Scanlin. Systematic guidance to design principles at all levels; more than 60 exploration activities. Fully illustrated.

  • Tapestry Weaving

    Step-by-step – building a frame loom, basic techniques, complete projects, illustrations and photographs. Subtitled: A Comprehensive Study Guide; by Nancy Harvey

  • The Art of Tapestry Weaving

    By Rebecca Mezoff. Mastering the techniques for making images with yarn. Colour illustrations and instructions.

  • The Technique of Woven Tapestry

    By Tadek Beutlich. How tapestries are woven and how to master the craft. For both experienced and beginner weavers.

  • The Guide to Successful Tapestry Weaving

    By Nancy Harvey. This book guides the beginner step by step through the weaving of a sample project. Illustrations and photos, most black and white.

  • An Introduction to Tapestry Weaving

    Pamphlet with colour photographs, line diagrams and brief text. By Hetty M Wickens

  • Waterline

    Booklet from the tapestry project at Gairloch Museum (2023), led by Joan Baxter. Colour photographs

  • Pat Bloor Tapestries

    Exhibition catalogue of Pat Bloor’s work, compiled in in full colour by her daughter. With biographical and appreciative commentaries. By Kate Jennings

  • Master Weavers: Tapestry from the Dovecot Studios 1912-1980

    …the first comprehensive treatment of the history of achievement of the Dovecot Studios…marks the major retrospective exhibition of the Dovecot tapestries at the Edinburgh Festival, 1980…contributions place the Dovecot in its European context as well as in its British roled…discuss tapestry from the artist’s and from the weaver’s point of view.

  • The Cordis Prize for Tapestry

    Illustrated catalogue of an exhibition with descriptions and creator profiles. Edinburgh Botanic Gardens 2021

  • Byways in Handweaving

    A rare book gifted to the Guild and kept in a protective bag. The author writes: ‘The textile techniques described…all are extremely ancient…few have been adequately described elsewhere.’ Line drawings, charts, and photographs. By Mary Meigs Atwater, 1954

  • Scottish Estate Tweeds

    By E P Harrison. History and development of estate tweeds, the story of Johnstons of Elgin, colour plates from A-Z, with descriptions from the company’s tweed pattern book.

  • Scottish Wool Cloth Sample Book

    Story of Scottish wool cloth industry, with large collection of actual samples, descriptions and weave plan diagrams. Glossary of terms. Scottish Woollen Publicity Council.

  • Handweaving Today

    Published in 1939, this book is meant to show the way in which weaving should be approached and to lay some of the foundations. An old, rare publication in proctective plastic bag. By Ethel M Mairet.

  • The Joy of Handweaving

    By Osma Gallinger Tod. Comprehensive manual by a teacher of long experience, illustrated in black and white, with diagrams and instructions.

  • The Wonderful Work of the Weaver

    Despite the title, this little booklet covers breeds of sheep, fleece preparation, spinning, dyeing and weaving as practised in Ireland. By Lilias Mitchell

  • Handweaving and Education

    By Ethel Mairet. By one of the classic authors of our time. “This book is meant to lay the foundations for the training and development of the weaver of tomorrow”

  • Reproducing the Kendal Pattern Book

    Subtitled: A Window on 18th Century Weaving. Ringbound landscape large format in in brown envelope. History of weaving in Kendal and the Kendal Pattern Book; analysis and reproduction of samples. Text, colour photographs, glossary. By Alison Ongley

  • Introducing Double Cloth (on 4-shaft Looms)

    By Mike Halsey. Booklet with diagrams and charts. Reprint of Double Cloth (on 4-shaft Looms)

  • Double Cloth (on 4-shaft Looms)

    Booklet with diagrams and charts. Handweavers Studio monograph series number two

  • Double Faced Fabrics (on 2 and 4-shaft Looms)

    Booklet with instructions diagrams and charts. Handweavers Studio monograph series number six

  • Double Pocket Cloth (on 4-shaft Looms)

    Booklet with instructions diagrams and charts. Handweavers Studio monograph series number five

  • Sectional Warping Made Easy

    Complete directions for sectional warping in pictures and words, including the step-by-step process of dressing the loom after you put a warp on the sectional warp beam. By Russell E Groff

  • The Weaver’s Inkle Pattern Directory

    Excellent book, starting with instructions for setting up the loom, then moving through simple patterns to designs requiring more expertise, all with good, clear instructions. Charts, colour diagrams, photographs. By Anne Dixon

  • Inkle Loom Weaving

    Introduction to the craft with projects, instructions, diagrams and colour photographs. By Frances B Smith

  • The Technique of Tablet Weaving

    Comprehensive textbook survey of tablet weaving techniques, by Peter Collingwood. There are many historical examples, and a large number of different weave structures are explored, with clear diagrams and instructions.

  • Card Weaving

    By Candace Crockett. History, materials, step-by-step instructions. Photographs and diagrams.

  • Time to Weave

    The author draws on simple but timeless techniques and eclectic materials to create sixteen appealing, contemporary off-loom weaving projects. By Jane Patrick

  • Weaving Without a Loom

    Instructions for numerous methods, illustrated in colour, with small projects using the different techniques. By Veronica Burningham

  • Weaving on Round and Metal Hoops

    “This booklet has been specially devised for those who are not familiar with weaving.” Covers basic techniques and projects with diagrams. By Micheline Menard-Gosselin

  • Making the most of your Peg Loom

    Informational booklet by the founder of a small spin/weave equipment company in mid-Wales. Clear text and line drawings. By Maureen Preen

  • Successful Rug Making

    By A V Butzcoy. Chapters on history and techniques. Instructions for 50 designs with b/w illustrations and charts.

  • A Rug Weaver’s Source Book

    Subtitled: A Compilation of Rug Weaving Techniques. Eight different craftspeople detail their methods – all weavers, teachers and writers. Colour photographs, b/w line drawings. Edited by Linda C Ligon

  • Techniques of rug weaving

    By Peter Collingwood

  • Designing and Making Handwoven Rugs

    Subtitled: Techniques for creating European, Oriental and American Rugs and Household Fabrics; by Osma Gallinger Tod and Josephine Couch Del Deo

  • Rug Weaving: Technique and Design

    Basic rug-weaving techniques in simple terms with photographs and diagrams. By Brian Knight

  • Woolens and Tweeds

    Shuttlecraft Monograph 4 1961. Aims to supply basic knowledge about wool and woollen designing, weaving and finishing for handweavers. By Harriet Tidball