Mystery tablet Weaving Project step 3 Preparing the yarn

Today, we're going to prepare the warp threads.

Have a think about how long you'd like your weaving to be. Although the preparation for tablet weaving takes a while (especially when it's your first time), the actual weaving goes quite quickly, so extra length isn't much in the way of extra effort.

The pattern I'm going to show you is one that can be carried all the way along your band if you take that option, or can have some easy variations added in as we work along.

When you've decided how long you want your band to be, multiply that length by 1.2 and add 50cm.

The process of weaving makes the warp threads go up and down a little, so the 1.2 allows for this. There are bits at the each end of the weaving where you're fastening the warp to supports and making space for the weft. That end stuff requires the 50cm.

My band is going to be about 56cm in length (it's a hat band for one of Anonymous Morris). 56x1.2 = roughly 68cm Add another 50cm and I get 118cm.

Take your number of cards and multiply by the number of holes in each card.

In my case, that's 16 x 4. this means that I need 64 warp threads, half dark coloured and half light.

The easiest way to do this is to wrap your yarn round the backs of a couple of chairs (or anything else the correct distance apart), then cut all the threads at the same time. (Space your supports half the length of your warp and then you only need to make one cut)

Measuring the warp threads by wrapping round chairs.

 

Cut at one end, and you have your warp threads.

If anything is unclear, just ask for help.