Band weaving with 15 pattern threads

Using the XL Sunna double slotted heddle.

Both sides of the woven band.

This band can be woven using the XL Sunna double slotted heddle.  The heddle has shorter slots for 17 pattern threads.

The 15 pattern threads should be at least double the thickness of the background and border threads.  For this band, I used a pattern thread three times the thickness of the rest of the threads so that the pattern would be more prominent. The weft should be the same thickness as the background and border threads. The weft should be the same colour as the background threads so that it does not show in the pattern area of the band.

To weave a band with 15 pattern threads, the heddle has to be threaded leaving some slots empty. In this diagram the pattern threads are coloured red and numbered.

The threading diagram for 15 pattern threads using a double slotted heddle.

Note that one shorter pattern slot and longer slot are left empty at either side.  This ensures that the threading for the border threads is correct.

The same pattern can be woven using a standard heddle or on an inkle loom.  Here is the threading. For this weave structure, the centre pattern thread is always threaded through the centre hole of the heddle. When using an inkle loom, the hole = heddled and the slot = unheddled.

The threading diagram for 15 pattern threads using a standard heddle.

Here is the pattern draft.

In this diagram, only the coloured pattern threads are shown.  There are 38 picks for the pattern repeat.

For pick one, the heddle should be raised.  The coloured pattern threads on the diagram should be picked up and brought to the surface.

Raise the heddle on the odd numbered picks.
Lower the heddle on the even numbered picks.

To see the weaving process in action, look at my YouTube video: Using the XL Sunna heddle.

Weaving process:

To weave using the double slotted heddle:

1. Open the shed by raising or lowering the heddle.

2. Insert the shuttle and pick up the correct pattern threads according to the pattern draft using the tip of the shuttle.

3. Beat with the side of the shuttle and check the selection.

4. Leave the shuttle in the shed and adjust the weft from the previous pick.  (You can also check the width of the band). You should pull the weft through so that the selvedge is even.  The weft pulls the warp ends close together.

5. Take the shuttle through, leaving a loop of weft on the opposite side.




Durham Weaver

July 2014