Post ASmb8nuaeiWfjQTyym by kyle@social.librem.one
(DIR) More posts by kyle@social.librem.one
(DIR) Post #ASmXerUoSuzWIXSM52 by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T20:44:46Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
Weaving takes patience and attention to detail, at least if you want fabric that matches your plans. Mistakes are inevitable and you either accept them in the work or possibly spend hours correcting them.All it takes is a distraction to lose where you were. Ideally you catch mistakes as soon as possible so there's less work to undo/redo. In this thread I'll describe some of my practices that help me catch errors.#weaving
(DIR) Post #ASmY7odkA9gzq2RKi0 by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T20:50:01Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
1. Measuring WarpWhen measuring warp I literally say the count over and over as a mantra as I run a thread the length of the warping board. I always use a counting thread so I don't have to count the full number of warp threads, only smaller values (typically 10 or 12). This also means when I inevitably get distracted and lose count, I only count the warp threads on the outside of the counting thread.#weaving
(DIR) Post #ASmZJgz2YU5FWNd0lc by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T21:03:22Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
2. Maintaining the CrossLease sticks maintain your cross while dressing the loom to prevent counting mistakes when threading, but many instructions have you remove them after threading, I (like some Scandinavian weavers) leave them on to the end of the project.This saved me in this project when I notice threading mistakes after I start to weave, and when a warp thread was missing entirely.#weaving
(DIR) Post #ASmZnDEvhq9Dxb8XbM by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T21:08:41Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
3. Unique HeddlesWhen threading your loom, it's easy to mix up a heddles from different harnesses as you are often only relying on depth perception.I have a 4 harness loom with metal heddles. When buying more heddles for a rug project, I bought a different style, and then set up odd harnesses with one style and even with the other. This helps me catch threading mistakes as each harness is distinct from its neighbor.#weaving
(DIR) Post #ASma65XqXWTNb4zAWW by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T21:12:08Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
4. Staggered Heddles When ThreadingI, at most, separate only four heddles at a time from the rest when threading, and I stagger them in the order they are to be threaded so there is visible distance between them.This not prevents threading mistakes, I can visually see the current 4-thread pattern in order and confirm where I am when threading a long complicated pattern.#weaving
(DIR) Post #ASmadO6cYGgKid85HU by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T21:18:08Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
5. Tying Threaded Groups TogetherAfter threading a "round" number of heddles based on WPI or natural end of a pattern, I tie them with a temporary knot to separate from other groups.This protects me against losing track of where I am in my threading, as I can always count the number of tied bundles.This also protects against mistakes when sleying the reed, as I only deal with "round" numbers of threads at a time.#weaving
(DIR) Post #ASmb8nuaeiWfjQTyym by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T21:23:49Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
6. Use "Walking" Tie-UpsMy center treadles are always tied up for tabby. The rest, whenever the pattern allows, instead of 1-2-3-4, I tie up in a "walking" pattern where I always move from left-side treadles to right side, and back again.This isn't just better for ergonomics, it helps catch mistakes when you lose track of where you were. If my foot was on a left treadle, I know the next treadle must be on the right.#weaving
(DIR) Post #ASmbXvXlPy0Gdnmkhk by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T21:28:22Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
7. Throwing Side Matches Treadling SideWhenever the pattern allows a walking pattern, I also make a point to throw my shuttle from the *same* side as I'm treadling. That way if I ever lose track of where I am, I can look at the combination of shuttle location and foot position and figure it out.It also means if I ever depress a treadle on the right side, but the shuttle is on the left, something is wrong.#weaving
(DIR) Post #ASmc1YD2jpwSxVDdwm by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T21:33:43Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
8. Use Magnets to Track PatternThe bottom of my beater bar is metal, so I attach my treadling pattern to it with magnets. Instead of marking off where I am, I group blocks (typically 4 picks) and then slide the magnet to the next block when I complete one.This is faster than pulling out a pencil and makes it easy to visually see where I am and what's next.#weaving
(DIR) Post #ASmcsrRrwEZfyYZePA by apples_and_pears@mastodon.world
2023-02-17T21:43:20Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kyle Kyle, that is /impressive/ !!! Please post a picture of the finished work.
(DIR) Post #ASmcuK2r6PdWxKZSYC by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T21:43:40Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
9. Always Stop at a Stopping PointYou can't always predict how long it will be between weaving sessions. The worst is to sit back down, wonder where you were, and guess wrong. I never stop weaving in the middle of a pattern, I always go all the way to the end (whatever that means for a repeating pattern). If I have to get up briefly, I weave at least to the end of a logical block and move my magnet.#weaving
(DIR) Post #ASmdJJllGSwhLAUh6G by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T21:48:08Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
10. Don't Be Afraid to Talk to YourselfOK so for the most part I am talking to myself only in my head, or an inaudible whisper, but even when I only am remembering a four-number sequence for treadling or threading I still repeat it like a mantra while I'm doing it. I've caught many mistakes by noticing what I'm saying and doing don't match.I think a "top 10 list" is a good place to stop. If you made it this far, thanks!#weaving
(DIR) Post #ASmeZgsrC2kpcGBTG4 by apples_and_pears@mastodon.world
2023-02-17T22:02:16Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kyle That's working today. Tomorrow it may not. Find a way to mark your place between completed and to be completed.
(DIR) Post #ASmemPpFvTgSTZZEga by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T22:04:36Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@Kymberly I *count* by 10/12 but most of my books suggest *crossing* single threads and I do. I use a warping paddle to save time when measuring hundreds of threads, and in that case I cross after however many threads are in the paddle. If you look closely at my picture of the lease sticks, you will see I'm crossing every 2 threads because I measured the yellow and brown threads on the warping board at the same time.
(DIR) Post #ASmetfj7Cm9boq9gae by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-17T22:05:54Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@apples_and_pears It's a good point. It has worked up to this point based on the projects I've worked on. I can imagine it wouldn't map well to more complicated or non-repeating weaving projects (such as draw loom weaving).
(DIR) Post #ASmfDZAjHhrzHXYeJc by apples_and_pears@mastodon.world
2023-02-17T22:09:30Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kyle Dude, talking to yourself helps a lot. It also dissuades others from interrupting. It helps keep you on track and to remember where you are in the pattern. Over time doing the same pattern X times it's easy to get lost.
(DIR) Post #ASsJv6WO8V1v7cnscy by CaramelizedShallots@ohai.social
2023-02-20T15:39:05Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kyle All excellent suggestions. I use many. I like the idea of using different types of heddles for easy variation. I have also heard others say they paint the heddle bars different colors.
(DIR) Post #ASsKIwBaDOac16R8Oe by CaramelizedShallots@ohai.social
2023-02-20T15:43:25Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kyle For keeping track of complicated treadling sequences, I have just started printing out the whole thing and ticking off (in groups) as I go. Then I can also used the paper for notes. I may switch to iWeaveIt for my iPad. I have been dealing with long Covid brain damage and having the whole thing printed has made it manageable for me.
(DIR) Post #ASsLAbRZY9DzK8VNiq by CaramelizedShallots@ohai.social
2023-02-20T15:53:07Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kyle Another thing that has been helpful for catching mistakes is adding 1/2-1 yard extra of warp and weaving a sample and wet-finishing before I re-tie on and weave the main project. I try different color wefts and different PPI before I make final decisions. Wet-finishing can totally change how things look and you may or may not like what you originally planned.
(DIR) Post #AT63qpo7SSjV4YTi9g by chipati@universeodon.com
2023-02-27T06:45:06Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@kyle I wonder if anyone has thought about making them colour coded.
(DIR) Post #AT6mQyNlRxrk4jC2fQ by kyle@social.librem.one
2023-02-27T15:04:36Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@Kymberly @chipati I have heard of people painting part of their metal heddles, but haven't seen that with texsolv. Maybe you could use colored strips of tape for a colored band?