A Roscoe Village Weaving Experience
Have you ever taken a trip to Roscoe Village, “America’s Canal Town?”
Open year round, Roscoe Village is made up of restored historic buildings. During a visit to the Village you take a self-guided living history tour, or enjoy a day exploring all the quaint shops and restaurants that are locally owned. Throughout the year you can even spend part of your adventure learning a canal-era craft.
Recently I had the opportunity to take a beginner’s weaving class that was being offered in the Roscoe School House Loom Loft and led by Master Weaver Rami Sawyer. During the 3-hour class all attending had the opportunity to make a table runner in their choice of colors.
Follow along as I share more about the class and how even I can be taught a new trick. As well as my Roscoe Village exploration.
Let’s Make a Table Runner
I was a bit unsure what to expect but as the class progressed, I hated to leave.
First, I was instructed to select my yarn and fabric colors. Then I wrapped the yard around the weaving shuttles. Basically, a shuttle is a piece of wood that yarn/fabric is wrapped around to make it easier to slide through the loom.
Since this was a beginner’s class, my loom was already set-up to begin my project, pre-warped. I learned that although it looked like prior weaving was started, after completion of our projects, the prior work would be removed.
I began by weaving 5 single thread rows. This would be done again when finished.
Next, I took my shuttles, in my case 2, and weaved one through, beat the threads into place a few times, then changed foot pedals and slide the next shuttle through. Simple, right? It does take concentration, and at times, I found myself taking out rows because I forgot to switch foot pedals.
At some point, more than once if you are making a table runner, the loom will need to be advanced, this is called “advancing the warp”. Basically, it involves releasing the ratchet on the back beam, which moves the cloth forward on the loom. Then you set the tension. The loom I was using to learn a new craft on was once located at Zoar Village. You could say it had been rescued. A beautiful loom.
I continued weaving until I reached my desired length.
Finally, when I started running out of fabric and with the clock ticking by, I finished off my project with 5 more single strand weaves. Then with help, my beautiful table runner was cut from the loom so I could begin the final step.
Removed from the loom, thread tying off the ends began. Once I had tied both sides, a haircut snip of the ends and my masterpiece was complete. What a fun afternoon. If you want to learn something new, I would highly recommend taking one of their class offerings.
My Ohio Fun Road Trip Notes:
- You could not ask for a more patient and thoroughly dedicated teacher like Rami. She took the time with each of us six beginners who had never once used a shuttle, let alone pedals on a loom.
- No knowledge of weaving is needed to take the beginner’s class.
- You are supplied with all materials. If you have a specific color preference you may bring your own yarn or material scraps. (Discuss requirements beforehand.)
- Registration is required. Classes are usually listed on roscoevillage.com and shared on social media.
- Allow for extra time to enjoy a little shopping and lunch or dinner while in the Village.
My suggestion would be to make it an overnight getaway. This way, unlike me you will have more time to browse and enjoy all the Village has to offer. I did not get to all the places on my list. I had so much more exploring to do. - Parking is available on the street and in area parking lots. Free.
- The loft to the weaving class is not handicapped accessible.
- Bring a bottle of water, you may get thirsty.
- You may want to take your shoes off when working the pedals. Bulky shoes will not be your friend.
- Restrooms are two flights down from loft.
- Before heading out visitcoshocton.com for a visitor guide and to plan your adventure.
A FEW OF MY FAVORITE STOPS IN ROSCOE VILLAGE
As previously stated, I wish I had planned for more time to explore the Village. You really do need a full day to visit all the shops, enjoy one or more of the restaurants and to take in the history.
Arriving around lunch and with my class starting at Noon, I opted to stop at Indian Bear Cork & Coffee for a quick bowl of soup and one of their buffalo wraps. Indian Bear is located in the back of Medbery Marketplace. The buffalo rotisserie chicken mixed with those pickles and sauce, tasty.
I don’t know if it’s true, but when I was exiting the building one of the employees from Medberry Marketplace came running out of the store and said I needed to take a picture with the cow. She said everyone who visits takes a picture. So as you can see I took a picture with the cow. I forget to ask if the cow had a name?
Right next door was The Cottage Gate. A nice collection of seasonal items, throws, primitives and Americana, as well as beautifully crafted art pieces. I fell in love with the little people handmade by Melanie, who just happened to be working that day.
The Roscoe General Store is a perfect stop to find locally made items and festive decor’. Toys, candy and homemade fudge. Next door is a place dogs dream about, Good Boy Bakery. And just down the street is the Living History Building.
Roscoe Village Treats and Sweets is where you can fend off that sweet tooth. All types of candy is available, including chocolates. Just an FYI, there are few less dark chocolate salted caramels in the store. Road trip food.
All-in-all it was a delightful day and I really need to get back to visit and explore all that Coshocton and Roscoe Village have to offer. If you want to learn more about the Roscoe Village head over to visitcoshocton.com.
Keep on exploring!
~Diane
Article and photos, unless noted by: MyOhioFun.com
Diane is the owner and editor of MyOhioFun.com. She is an avid baker, gardener, Little Free Library owner, who loves to read and travel. She spends most of her days sharing her love of things to do in Ohio, as well as creating destinations and itineraries for group tours and individual travelers.
Editor’s note: Any use of the above article or images without prior permission, will be in violation of copyright laws.
***Disclosure: My Ohio Fun receives compensation from advertising banners. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***