“Designing and Weaving Double Cloth” is the title of my brand new book, and that pretty much sums up the content!
Yep, this is a substantial (224-page) hardback book about designing and weaving double cloth. It’s a book that aims to de-mystify the structure of double cloth without taking away the magic. It’s a book of theory, practice and many, many examples. It’s not a project book, even though it does include several fully-specified projects. My intention is to help you design and weave your own projects.
* Open the Ordering the book tab below for information on delivery overseas
There are nine chapters in total and the first seven are organised by design element. That is, each chapter introduces a new design element to incorporate into your double cloth repertoire. At the end of each chapter I’ve created a project which puts that element to work using inspiration drawn from the landscape of Scotland.
The final two chapters are focused on the practicalities of weaving double cloth, from choosing a sett to handling the shuttles to adding finishing touches.
This is not a book of projects, but it is a book with projects. At the end of each chapter I have created a project which puts that element to work using inspiration drawn from the landscape of Scotland. Here are some examples of those design elements in action.
Inspiration for Layers
Layers in action
Inspiration for Blocks
Blocks in action
Inspiration for Diagonals
Diagonals in action
Inspiration for Curves
Curves in action
The book will be of most use to weavers with eight shafts or more. Chapter one is focused mainly on four-shaft weaves, and there are more options for four shafts in chapters five and nine. The majority of the drafts in the rest of the book are on eight shafts, with twelve shafts making a particularly strong showing in chapters three and four, and examples on sixteen or more shafts popping in from time to time.
I have aimed to include as many options as possible for different looms, while acknowledging where there are particular constraints. Throughout the book I have provided liftplans for table and dobby looms, and tie-ups and treadlings for floor looms with treadles. I’ve included options for looms with rising shafts or sinking shafts and for countermarche looms. However, not every draft can be woven on every loom! That’s where I need to hand it over to you to think about what you most want to achieve in your designs.
This book does not assume any prior knowledge or experience of double weave. However, it does assume that you have some weaving experience. If you are a complete beginner with no experience of setting up or weaving on a shaft loom, then this is not the right book for you.
Disclaimer: You read this book at your own risk! If you then find yourself heading out to buy a loom with more shafts, the author cannot be held responsible.
Some sample pages to give you an idea of both the presentation and the content.
If you are in the UK, you can order the book from any bookshop or – for a limited time – directly from me. As a thank you I will include a wee extra: a handy printed postcard of double cloth liftplan, tie-up and treadling elements. You can choose a signed or unsigned copy, and specify a personal message for yourself or someone else.
If you are outside the UK then I am afraid I can’t ship a copy to you myself, but you can order it from your preferred retailer. Blackwells typically include worldwide shipping in the cover price, so that’s a practical choice. And although I can’t include a postcard, you can still claim your gift below.
If you are in the USA or Canada, the book will be published especially for you in October 2026, so you may want to wait for that rather than ship across the Atlantic. However, if you can’t wait, you can certainly order from the UK.
And I should point out that there is an ebook available as well. See the publisher’s website for links to different ebook suppliers.
Alas, I cannot send postcards to everyone but, if you have bought the book elsewhere, there’s a print-quality digital download of the double cloth directory available for you at the link below.
It has a sticker price of £5, but you can claim it free by opening your book and looking at Project Four: Snowdrop Celebration yardage.
Go to the end of that project (page 115 in the physical book) and find the last word of the last caption. That nine-letter word is your discount code.
Pop it in the box at checkout, and you don’t need to enter anything else except your email address.
Alas, errata are almost inevitable when a book is this full of drafts and technical information! I wish it weren’t so, but I have already identified the first slip-up and you can download a correction right here.
