Wool keeps us warm in chilly weather, is forgiving on the loom, and can be fulled for even greater warmth. It blends beautifully with other fibers, comes in a splendid range of natural shades, and takes dye wonderfully. This issue explores wool through weaving structures, techniques, and yarns, with ten projects to inspire your next make.

Projects include a bed runner evocative of sunshine and sea, a checked throw rug with ideas for making it your own, a waistcoat that shimmers like cherry blossoms on mountain slopes, and a striking twill V-shawl shaped on the loom. Looking for a warm scarf? There are five: the cover scarf features sashiko-ori motifs; another draws on an antique coverlet, while one brings to mind a modern dance party. You’ll also find a scarf that creates a gradient through structure rather than color, an airy lace design for a rigid-heddle or two-shaft loom, and a bench mat with a woolly look made from cotton thrums.

Explore basketweave with color-and-weave, sashiko-ori, several twills—including a doubleweave version—Brooks bouquet, monk’s belt, double corduroy, and deflected doubleweave. Yarns include a range of sheep’s wools, alpaca, camel hair, a wool-and-silk blend, and cotton.

You’ll also find articles about weaving sashiko motifs, how to balance weave structures, weaving well with wool, creating gradients using structure, and more:

• Media Picks reviews a new book about woven sashiko.

• Tom Knisely shows how to balance a draft.

• Linda Ligon writes about Brother Damian, a monk who weaves.

• Robin Lynde writes about weaving with wool, and the prickle factor.

• We include a list of sources for breed-specific wool.

• Phyllis Miller explains how to weave sashiko-ori patterns side by side.

• Annette Norviel shows how to create a gradient using structure.

• Artist Anne Guibert-Lassalle about learning to weave: “I weave like I ride my horse: clumsily, faithfully, and passionately.”

• Tegan Frisino makes a skirt with precious yarn—and memories of family.

Dive into the pleasures of weaving with warm, easy, sustainable wool with Handwoven Winter 2026.

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Articles

• Media Picks: Sashiko-ori: Drafts and Designs for Woven Sashiko, by Phyllis Miller and Beth Ross Johnson

• Notes from the Fell— What is a Balanced Weaving Draft?, by Tom Knisely

• Humans Who Weave, by Anne Guibert-Lassalle

• Weaving a Life, by Linda Ligon

• Weaving with the Miracle Fiber, by Robin Lynde

• How to Weave Sashiko-ori Patterns Side by Side, by Phyllis Miller

• How to Create a Gradient with Structure, by Annette Norviel

• Endnotes—A Skirt Bearing Love and Memories, by Tegan Frisino

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Projects

• ON THE COVER: Tracks in the Snow Scarf, by Phyllis Miller (8-shaft)

• Plaid in the Back Shawl, by Robin Lynde (8-shaft)

• Golden Ripples Bed Runner, by Maggy Fragoso (10-shaft)

• Ruby Reflections Scarf, by Rebecca Morris (4-shaft)

• Magic Checked Rug, by Merriel Miller (4-shaft)

• Dance Party Scarf, by Shelby Moravec (8-shaft)

• Moonrise Bench Mat, by Rosalie Neilson (4-shaft)

• Oscillating Twill Scarf, by Annette Norviel (8-shaft)

• Alpenglow Waistcoat, by Jeremy Uden (8-shaft)

• Saffron Lace Scarf, by Carolyn Heacock (rigid-heddle)