Inkle bands are quite strong and can be used in applications where a flat band is desired. The warp is threaded onto the loom as in inkle weaving, but weaving cards are used instead of alternating between free-hanging and heddle-secured yarn.

Using a supplemental weft thread that will come up over the top of certain warp threads, brocaded designs can also be worked into the inkle band.Īn inkle loom is also useful in the practice of tablet weaving for its added portability. One side of the band will show the exposed surfaces of warp threads while, on the other side of the pattern, the weft thread will be visible. There are other more advanced techniques in which, instead of merely allowing warp threads to alternate in their up or down positions, individual threads are brought to the surface to form what is called a 'pick up' pattern. Once you have done so, tighten the tension again and resume your weaving. Helene Bress recommends loosening the tension when you are ready to advance the warp. The weaver will also need to advance the warp thread along the bottom of the loom to open up new weaving space. As the inkle band progresses, it will also get closer to the heddles. Weft threads are only visible at the edges of the band and the weaver may wish to take this into account by warping threads that will form the edges in the same color as the weft.Īs the weaving commences, the warp threads will shorten on the loom and the weaver will need to adjust the tension periodically. The weaver should make one pass with the shuttle with each opening of a shed through the raising and lowering of threads.Ī simple raising and lowering of threads creates a plain-weave band in which warp threads are slightly offset.

The raising and lowering of these warp threads creates the shed through which the weft thread will be carried on a shuttle. The inkle loom is threaded with warp threads according to the weaver's design, alternating between yarn that can be raised and lowered and yarn that is secured in place through the use of the heddles. This tensioning device will be taken in as weaving commences and the warp threads become shorter.Īdditional equipment includes yarn for the warp and weft, yarn or thread for forming heddles and a shuttle to hold the weft. One of the dowels, or a paddle, is constructed so that its position can be adjusted.

Loom weaving