Mystery Tablet Weaving Project Step 4 - Threading the Cards

[watervole]

This is the most important part of the project. Any mistakes here will be impossible to fix, so we’ll be checking and double checking everything at regular intervals.

Remember labelling your cards with a dark and light label or pen mark?
Thread two dark threads through the holes next to the dark mark, and two light threads through the holes next to the light mark.
Do this for all your cards.

It is very important that all the cards are face up and that all the threads come from the back through to the front. Look very carefully at the way the threads are visible on the face of the card.

If you look at the cards in the picture below, you’ll see that the one I’ve turned over has the threads the other way round on the back.
(Ignore the fact that I have four dark threads in this photo - stick to 2 dark and 2 light)
As you thread your cards, build them into a stack, face-up with number 1 on the top. You need to be very neat here. Keep all the threads the same length and keep the threads as straight as possible. (the threads in the stack in this photo are not nearly neat enough - I had to spend ages tidying them and it would have been much better if they’d been straight in the first place)
Before we go any further, check your deck. Make sure that all the cards are face up, and that all the threads are coming through from the back to the front. Then get someone else to check it for good luck.

If you have to leave your cards for any reason, tie some string round them. Make sure that the string separates the threads that come from each corner. This means you can pick up your project, twist the threads all in one group and protect it from getting tangled.

If you don’t tie up the cards (every single time you leave the room with an unattended spouse, child, cat, etc) you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll have to resort the entire deck when you return.

You should now have a deck of cards, each with two light and two dark threads, all the cards facing upwards, all the threads coming from the back of the card to the front. The threads should all be the same length (as near as you can manage) and lying nice and straight.

Tie the ends in a simple overhand knot (one at each end) to keep everything together. This knot may be a permanent part of your work, so keep it as near to the end as possible. Try and ensure that all threads are included in it and that the threads are even in tension between the two knots. (Getting someone to hold the first knot while you tie the second may be useful)

I’ll be giving an alternative method of securing the ends in the next post, but the knot will keep your work safe for a couple of days. I used a knot at both ends for my first tablet-weaving project and it’s easy to use.

I’m expecting some of you to stick with the knots for the whole project and some to want to try the more fiddly options.

Comments

[ceb]

Some of the cards in your photos have all 4 threads dark, should I ignore those?

[ceb]

PS Up to here now :-)

It turns out one of my yarn colours is stretchier than the other, so the two colours have come out different lengths, ah well!

[watervole]

Ignore my 4 dark threads.

As long as they are the same length in the set up, you'll be fine. Just let the ends of the stretchier one hang out the end of the knot. Even tension is the important thing.

[ranunculus]

Looking forward to the next installment - but I know how life intervenes!