Wonky prosciutto leg

[u/AliceInOrchidland]

So. I made this for my Italian friend's housewarming. He loved it.

Though, I am doing things wrong.

As you can see, the sides are not straight. I think the problem is that the white sides against the prosciutto are too little and not connected to the rest of the weaving. This is a problem i had also with other pieces.

Next time, should i just bring the white thread across the middle part and basically continue the weaving on the other side, instead of weave the sides separately? Or how do I avoid this?

[u/Cat-Cave]

I’m obsessed with wonky prosciutto leg

[u/WorkingClassPirate → u/Cat-Cave]

I showed it to my daughter who demanded I make one to go with the stuffed (you) ham I have, decorate the room in a pork-theme. So yes, quite obsessed.

[u/AliceInOrchidland → u/WorkingClassPirate]

Now. That is an interesting idea.

[u/fishy_mama]

So, vertical color change sequences in tapestry just have slits (unless you are doing a clasped-weft thing, which is an option but will change the way the color edges will look). You are not doing anything wrong when you end up with slits. If you don’t like them, you can sew the sides together up the back as part of finishing the project. I’m not sure of the best stitch for that, I don’t sew mine, but you can look it up.

The bulging on the selvage edges is something different, and I think it probably is due to the thicker yarn you’re using as bone. People use yarn of different thicknesses in tapestry ALL THE TIME, but you do need to make some adjustments for the edges to remain square, since each stitch of the thicker yarn takes up more horizontal space. This might be something to experiment with in the future to decide how you like to adjust.

Congratulations on a great piece, though! If the recipient loved it, then it counts as a win :)

[u/AliceInOrchidland → u/fishy_mama]

Thank you! You guys are really helping me out! Appreciated!!

[u/No_Cup_5363]

If the problem is the sides being disconnected, I wonder if interlocking would help. Also, since I come from crochet, I wonder if it’s a gauge problem. Maybe it has to do with the cream yarn being thinner than the yarn for the prosciutto? I’m a total beginner to tapestry weaving, so I could definitely be wrong!

[u/the_scarlet_thread]

I don’t have a suggestion because I’m not familiar with tapestry, but I love what you made! So creative!

[u/DreamWeaver0071]

Such a cute tapestry! You can just sew them closed with needle and thread. For more info, look up slits in tapestry weaving.

[u/meowmeowbuttz]

Great tapestry! I love it!

When something like this happens, it's typically due to there being more yarn in the shed than usual This could be because of the background yarn being "larger". I think that overall, you need to beat harder and really pack the weft in tight. Right now your tapestry has a delicate surface -- you can still see spots of warp, and I bet you could still slide the weft up and down with your fingers. If you beat harder, the weft compresses and will compress any extra air in the yarn. The surface of a weft-faced tapestry is very sturdy. Not to be too long winded about it, but I think beating your weft strongly would help ease out any size difference in the weft yarns.

[u/AliceInOrchidland → u/meowmeowbuttz]

Yes indeed. Basically all my pieces are quite "free to move" (or insert here the proper word for it) up and down the warp. To beat the weft I only have a comb, not the most effective. But I think I should be able to beat it properly nonetheless!! Will definitely beat the next one

https://giphy.com/gifs/2wW3IqGXH3YEsRsncx

[u/24bean62]

I honestly don’t know how I’ve moved through life for 66 years without a wonky prosciutto leg. :) The imperfections you see just make it more perfect. Otherwise, I can’t add to other good suggestions you’ve gotten.

[u/Rubie_n_TheSnake]

I think it’s the yarn you used for the bone. Have you washed this since taking it off the loom? I think the thicker cream yarn used for the bone probably has a little more give to it than the rest of the yarns you used. If it’s already been washed and it stretched after you washed it I don’t have a suggestion till I know what fiber the bone yarn is made of (like is it cotton or polyester or wool). But if you haven’t washed it yet I’d do that and try to block it out so the sides are all even.

[u/AliceInOrchidland → u/Rubie_n_TheSnake]

Interesting! Do i understand correctly that, even if i make wall tapestry, i should wash the pieces before hanging them? Or is it just a way to possibly "fix" the yarn in place in case of problems? Never washed anything so far and i am wondering whether I should. Generally, in terms of yarn i use wool or cotton. No to little polyesters.

[u/Rubie_n_TheSnake → u/AliceInOrchidland]

You don’t always have to wash them. I was taught that you can if you want when I learned to weave but it’s the same theory as blocking when knitting or crocheting. Washing it will make it softer and more malleable and then you can pin it down in a squared off position to let it dry.

[u/Rubie_n_TheSnake → u/Rubie_n_TheSnake]

And take that advice with a grain of salt. I don’t fully know the yarns you used or how color fast they are. Doing a whole scrub down with dawn could make the colors bleed or felt something if there’s wool in there or do any number of things. So use your discretion. You know your piece.

[u/Pure-Parsley-1508]

This is phenomenal 🍖

[u/lilshortyy420]

I loveeee this. If you free formed it it could be the unbalanced weft amount. I have this problem too with Freeform tapestries.

[u/mint_lawn]

Gormgeous

[u/woventhoughts]

I love that wonky prosciutto leg has gotten so many likes. Somehow, it makes me feel that there is still right in this world.

[u/andybeanyk1]

I have to say I love wonky prosciutto leg, whose smile is bringing me so much joy!