Bookmarks

During the workshop I was asked about bookmarks.  Here are some suggestions and some new band patterns.

The simplest bookmarks are short lengths of woven band with a plait at one end and a fringe at the other. The length of the bookmark can be altered to suit the type of book it will be used for.  I use a fine cotton 16/2 Swedish cotton for preference but other fine yarns could be used.

I have made bookmarks made using darning yarn which comes inside the balls of Jawoll sock yarn by Lang. I use the sock yarn for weaving belts and bands as it is strong and comes in a wonderful variety of colours. As you can see, I have used quite a lot of sock yarn!  These little spools are great as they match the sock yarn but are much finer and very strong.

Bookmark One

Here is the bookmark made with the darning yarn from Yawoll sock yarn.

It is a Swedish pattern and I think it is most unusual because of the colours.

There are 37 pattern threads.  The weft is red. The width is 15 mm,  just over 0.5 inches

Warp

Red     2    2    2     1    1    1    1    1    1    1    1    2    2    2
Pink       2    2     1    1    1                      1    1    1    2    2   
Blue                                      1    1    1

Swedish band in pink red and blue

Close up of the pattern

Bookmark 2

Here is another unusual Swedish band.


There are 59 warp ends in white, yellow, blue and pink. It is woven in 16/2 cotton.
Width: 14 mm - just over 0.5 inches

Warp

White    4            4          2             2              4             4
Blue          4    4     2           2     2              2      4     4
Yellow         2                         3                             2
Pink                           4                          4

Swedish multi coloured band

Here is a close up of the bookmark.

One end has a plait. Take a look at the bottom and top. When the plait is made, the band curls in slightly. You can mitigate against this if the last couple of picks are woven with the weft tightly pulled so that the band becomes narrower. Of course the band is the same pattern on the top and underneath but I think that the non-curled part looks neater.

reverse side of band

Top of band

The other end is whipped with a small tassel of warp ends.

reverse side of band

Top of band

You can see that the same  happens here. So, remember to weave a couple of picks with a tightly pulled weft so that the band becomes narrower.
There is a further consideration. Try to whip the ends and plait so that the curl of the band is on the same side.

Of course you can vary the design by using a plait at both ends. The bookmark needs to be long enough so that the plaits are seen at both the top and bottom of the book

Bookmark Three

This is a Finnish band. I used a plait at both ends for the bookmark.

There are 29 pattern threads.  The weft is white. The width is 13mm   approx 0.5 inches.  

Two plaits for this bookmark

Warp

White    1    1    1    1   1     1             1    1    1    1     1     1
Blue         1    1    1    1    1    1       1    1    1    1     1     1
Red                                             5

Here is the drawdown.

There are lots more patterns in my book The Art of Simple Band Weaving. available from Blurb

Also   In Celebration of Plain Weave.  by Annie MacHale
http://aspinnerweaver.blogspot.com/

This beautiful book has lots of colourful bands for you to try.

Do check out Annie's blog.  She has two excellent posts about pick up band weaving.