Weaving bands with 9 pattern threads

The Sunna double slotted heddle with 9 pattern slots.

The Sunna double slotted heddle with 9 pattern slots.

Threading Chart

Here is the treading chart for 9 pattern threads. You can have up to 12 border threads on each side.

Threading chart for 9 pattern threads.

A pattern for a bookmark

This pattern is for 9 pattern threads and makes a lovely bookmark. There are 46 picks in the pattern repeat.

There are 43 patterns in my book for 9 pattern threads. This pattern is not in my book. Now you have an additional pattern to try.

I made many bookmarks in this pattern and distributed them to outlets selling my book.

Here is a picture of some of the bookmarks that I wove.

Using different colours for the pattern threads and the border threads makes lovely variations.

Here are six further ideas for making different effects.

6 colour combinations

The top band uses 16/2 linen for the background and border threads. The pattern thread is red double knitting wool.

The next band uses 16/2 cotton used double for the background and border threads. The pattern thread is red four ply knitting wool.

The third band uses 4 ply sock yarn for the background and border threads. The pattern thread is a double four ply sock yarn.

The fourth band uses 4 ply sock yarn for the background and border threads. The pattern thread is a double four ply sock yarn.

The fifth band uses red 6/2 cotton for the background and border threads. The pattern thread is a double black 6/2 cotton yarn.

The sixth band uses 4 ply sock yarn for the background and border threads. The pattern thread is a double four ply sock yarn.

Coloured borders can enhance the design.

Remember there is plenty of help on line. here is the link to my YouTube video Weaving bands with 5 pattern threads.

https://youtu.be/9OUkBSN8LtI

A traditional pattern. 

Here is a lovely traditional pattern. This lovely pattern is not in my book.  

A Lithuanian pattern

I saw this pattern when I was on holiday in Lithuania last year. There are 9 pattern threads.

close up of woven band.

My workshop for the Braid Society in October used this pattern as an example of how to transfer a pattern to a pattern chart. If you look at the pattern you should be able to transfer it to a weaving chart. 

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.

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.

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.


 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.


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.

Using a Four Shaft Loom

You can also weave patterned bands on a four shaft loom.

Here is the threading for a 9 pattern thread band.

threading for a four shaft loom

Note that the centre pattern thread is on shaft four.  The background and border threads are threaded alternately through shafts 1 and 2. the border can be as wide as you like.

The order is important. In the centre of the band the background threads will weave half basket weave. In the border area the threads will weave plain weave.

The sett will depend upon the threads that you use. Sampling is the only way to find out what sett is correct.

In order to make the pick up you will need to view my YouTube video: The Lielvārde belt: weaving motifs. Here is the link.

https://youtu.be/t9Dekjt8uog

This remarkable belt has 33 pattern threads.  If you have never woven a patterned band on a loom before, do start with something simple like using 9 pattern threads. Once you have understood the technique, you can use more pattern threads.

My book has many patterns for you to try.

My latest book has been published by Schiffer and is available from bookshops and Amazon.

'Narrow bands woven in colorful patterns are a centuries-old part of Baltic craft tradition. The double slotted heddle makes patterned band weaving quicker to learn and easier to do, and this is the first book that offers beginners instructions for using it. The craft doesn't involve bulky equipment―all you need can be stored in a shoe box! Learn how to weave these beautiful bands step by step, from the simple 5 pattern threads to the more complex 7 and 9 patterns. Color photographs illustrate the instructions for learning to weave.

More than 140 patterns are included, along with principles for planning your own unique designs for contemporary uses such as straps, belts, bracelets, and even handfasting bands. The breathtaking range of colorful bands woven in Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Norway are explored and offer additional inspiration.'

You can order this book on Amazon and from the Book Depository UK.

In the USA, it is available from The Woolery who are based in Frankfort, Kentucky:
https://woolery.com/weaving-patterned-bands.html

I was asked by the team at Woolery to write a blog. Here it is.

https://thewooleryguy.wordpress.com/2018/10/17/guest-post-weaving-patterned-bands-with-susan-j-foulkes/

The Braid Society is an excellent forum for sharing ideas and getting help with techniques.  Do check out their web site for information on how to join. https://thebraidsociety.wildapricot.org/

Happy Weaving

Susan J Foulkes November 2018