Band weaving with 9 pattern threads

Using a Sunna double slotted heddle with 9 pattern threads.

The double slotted heddle is available in smaller sizes of 5, 7 and 9 shorter slots for patterns threads. These heddles can be used with a back strap, in a box loom or on a larger inkle loom.

The Sunna double slotted heddle with 9 pattern slots.

The Sunna double slotted heddle with 9 pattern slots.

Here is the threading chart for the 9 Sunna double slotted heddle.





The 9 pattern threads are numbered and are indicated in red. They should be at least twice as thick as the background and border threads. The centre pattern thread is 5 on the chart.

It is possible to weave bands with 5 and 7 pattern threads using the 9 pattern slot heddle. 

Here is the threading chart for 7 pattern threads on a 9 pattern slot heddle.

The grey squares indicate an empty hole, long slot or pattern slot. The centre pattern thread is 4 on the chart.


Here is the threading chart for 5 pattern threads on a 9 pattern slot heddle. 

The grey squares indicate an empty hole, long slot or pattern slot. The centre pattern thread is 3 on the chart.

YouTube video showing how to thread the double slotted heddle.

I have made a YouTube video to show an easy way to thread the 9 slot heddle.
Threading the double slotted heddle   at   https://youtu.be/iE-my-qxFwA

I have used the Sunna double slotted heddle for 9 pattern threads on my inkle loom.

Using an inkle loom with a 9 pattern slot heddle.

Using the 9 pattern slot Sunna heddle on an inkle loom.

To use the heddle on an inkle loom, you will need to check that it will fit.  The 9 Sunna heddle is 7 inches wide and 5.5 inches in height. (17.5 x 14 cm).

1. First measure the length of the warp that you want by winding a thread around the path it will take on the inkle loom.  Add on about 4 inches for tying it on.
2. Make the warp and thread it through the double slotted heddle.
3. The warp should then be wound around the inkle loom with the two ends of the warp at the front of the loom. It is important that the warp is spread evenly when wrapping it around the inkle loom pegs.
4. The warp ends need to be tied together so that it can move freely around the loom.  It is important the the tension is even across the warp ends.
5. Adjust the final tension on the inkle loom.  You are now ready to start weaving.

Knot the two ends of the warp.

     Here is a close up of the knot tying the two ends of the warp together.

Here is the pattern draft for 9 pattern threads.  The coloured squares show the pattern threads that should appear on the surface of the woven band. 

When raising or lowering the heddle, the pattern threads remain in a line in the centre of the shed.  The tip of the shuttle is used to pick up the correct pattern threads to appear on the surface of the band. 

The heddle should be raised on the even numbered picks and lowered on the odd numbered picks. There are 22 picks for the pattern repeat.

To see the weaving process with a larger Sunna double slotted heddle, look at this YouTube video: Using the Sunna heddle to weave patterned bands.

Here is the woven band showing the two sides.  

The weaving side of the band.

The underside of the band.

Using a standard heddle or an inkle loom.

Here is the threading chart for a standard heddle or an inkle loom and 9 pattern threads.

Threading for a standard heddle or inkle loom.

For an inkle loom, the heddled threads are indicated by the hole and the unheddled threads by the slot. Note that the centre pattern thread is always threaded through the centre hole in the heddle.
When you raise the heddle, the centre pattern thread (and pattern threads 1, 3 and 9) will appear on the surface.  When using the pattern draft, you may have to bring up a pattern thread from the bottom layer or push down a pattern thread from the top layer to weave the pattern.  See my YouTube video: Weaving narrow warp faced bands.

Threading a 13 slot heddle for weaving a 9 pattern band

I have been asked to show the threading for weaving a 9 pattern thread band on a 13 Sunna heddle. i would not recommend using fewer than 9 pattern threads on the 13 pattern slot heddle.  It becomes harder to keep an even width.

Threading for 13 pattern slot heddle. 

Look at the threading for the 13 Sunna double slotted heddle. Only half the threading is given.  P indicates the pattern threads which are always at least double the thickness of the background and border threads. B indicates a border or background thread.

Pattern thread 7 is the centre of the band and is threaded into the centre pattern slot. Remember that only half the threading is given. The threading needs to be completed on the right side.

The background threads in the centre of the band are threaded in two slots then two holes.  The weave structure is half basket weave.
The border threads are threaded alternately in long slots and holes. The weave structure is plain weave.

Now look at the how the 13 pattern slots can be used for 9 pattern threads.

Threading a 13 pattern slot heddle for 9 pattern threads.

Look at the threading for the 13 Sunna double slotted heddle. Only half the threading is given.
Pattern thread 5 is the centre of the band and is threaded into the centre pattern slot.  The threading needs to be completed on the right side.  Two pattern slots on each side are empty: four in all.

The background threads in the centre of the band are threaded in two slots then two holes.  The weave structure is half basket weave.

The border threads are threaded alternately in long slots and holes. The weave structure is plain weave. However, a couple of long slots and holes must be left empty.  It is important to keep the border threading as plain weave.  The border threads must go alternately into a long slot and hole. Look at the threading diagram above and you can see that the border threads are in the correct order. To do this, a long slot and a hole must be left empty.

Weaving the band.

Using a 13 double slot heddle to weave a band with 9 pattern threads means that the threads are not as close together in the heddle on the border as they would normally be. When weaving pay particular attention to the band and make sure that the weft is pulled in tightly enough.  The warp threads have a tendency to pull the band open where there are gaps in the threading.

So, it is possible, but a little more care needs to be taken in the weaving and, of course the threading should be correct.


Happy weaving.

Durham Weaver  February 2017