The Body of Christ: A Woven Tapestry

Circular weaving is an exciting and relatively easy project to complete. However, it does take a numerous set of components.

Components:

A large embroidery hoop.

A large yarn needle.

4 or five various types of yarns, from large to small.

Thin yarn in size four or three to warp the hoop.

Scissors.

Instructions:

You will begin by warping the hoop. The warp is the space you will weave on. The strands that are woven over the warp are called the weft. The warp is produced by taking your yarn around the embroidery hoop. First, tie your string onto the inner ring of the embroidery hoop. This is best done by making a slip knot, but any simple knot should work. Then you will make a triangle by bringing your yarn over to the other side. Create your next triangle next to the one you first made, alternating from side to side. Once you have made about 21 triangles, you are ready to put the top of the embroidery hoop on. You do not have to make 21 triangles; you can use less. Although your weaving may look less intricate if you choose a smaller number of triangles. 

Then you will gather your yarn in the middle of the piece. Cut a short amount of yarn and pull all the strings together in the middle. Tie them together with a simple knot. Your hoop should look like this at this point.

Cut a piece of thicker yarn and begin weaving it through the triangles. Tie the end to a triangle near the center of the work. Then trim the excess, being careful not to cut your warp. Then thread your yarn on your yarn needle and start weaving through the triangles, constantly pushing your string toward the center. When you end with one piece of yarn, tie on a new piece. The more varied sizes, shapes, and colors you use, the more terrific your work will look.

Now, I want us to ponder how we may understand circular weaving biblically. I see a likeness between circular weaving and the Body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-16 teaches us that church members have various gifts the Spirit gives them. However, we are all woven together in Christ, who is the head of everyone. He's the knot in the middle that holds all the yarn in place so it can be woven into a beautiful piece of work.

Similarly, as the yarn, we are called to be woven into Christ's body. None of us is independent of the other. We cleave to one another. Our diversity of gifts and personhood makes an intricate piece of art, with each person bringing something unique into the body.

Finishing off the wall hanging:

Now, after you have filled up your hoop about halfway, you must decide whether or not to leave it in the hoop or take it out. You can do some more weaving if you leave it in the hoop. When you decide that you are done, you may wrap yarn around the sides of the embroidery hoop to make it polished. The above example is finished this way.

You must stop weaving if you decide to take it out of the embroidery hoop. The example below is finished outside the embroidery hoop. You must carefully cut each warp string at the end of the hoop. Keep the warp strings as long as possible. Cut one warp string at a time. Tie a knot in the warp right next to your weave. This will keep it from unraveling. Get some more yarn. Thread your needle, and put a knot at the end. When you make all your knots and your piece is free from the hoop, you will stitch around the sides of the work, ensuring it stays flat. This is known as binding. When you've gone around the weaving once, finish it with another knot, You may then make a tassel or hanger to hang your piece on. Attach by using the same yarn you made your weaving with.

Blessings in Christ,

Jane Shoemaker