What To Weave First?

The 'Beginning Four Harness Weaving' video recommends a sampler but I just can't get excited about that. I think it would be a waste of my time (and precious yarn). I want to weave useful items in interesting patterns. I've decided I could really use a new runner for the top of my buffet. This morning I sat down with a pile of my weaving books, to search for my first weaving pattern. I swear, I have no idea what treasures lurk in my fiber studio. For example, I have been packing this book around for at least 12 years. I'm sure I found it at a thrift store. It was printed in 1947. Although the pictures are dated (but fun to look at) weaving is timeless. This book is packed with useful information and focuses on the counterbalance loom. That will be very useful if I ever find myself with one of those in my possession.

This book also includes a nice assortment of 4 harness weaving patterns. I was looking for an interesting twill that I could use with a contrasting warp and weft. Something that would hold my interest and also produce a fabric that I will be proud to display in my living room. I think this one will fill the bill.

It doesn't look too difficult. Now that I've decided on my pattern I need some yarn. I want something in a fingering weight wool, but not superwash as I want to be able to full it. And it has to be colors that won't clash with the rest of my furnishings. I searched my stash and came up with this.

I will use the lighter greenish gold for the warp and the darker green for the weft. The yarn is Jezebel, a hand dyed fingering weight merino from SWTC. This is my actual loom, who I have named Perrito (Spanish for pup).

I need to remove the warp and project that is on him. It's not mine, but came with the loom. Then, as soon as I can get the husbeast to hang my warping board, I'll get busy.