How to Tablet Weave

Different colors and patterns can be used to make elaborate pieces of art.

Tablet weaving, also known as card weaving, is a technique using tablets or cards with yarn to create the shed, a temporary space between the upper and lower warp yarns. Warp yarns are sets of threads that run lengthwise. The "weft" is the yarn drawn through the warp yarn. Wefts are also called "filling yarns."

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Deck of playing cards
• Hole puncher
• Scissors
• Yarn
• Crocheting thread
• Metal loop
• Chop stick

1. Playing cards are the perfect thickness and weight for making weaving cards. Michael Blann/Photodisc/Getty Images

   Open playing cards, removing four. Cut each card into a square with each side measuring about 5-6 cm on each side. Punch holes in the four corners of each card, leaving a small amount of space between the hole and the end of the card. If the holes are not punched smoothly, the yarn will snag. Trim the edges into rounded corners for easier manipulation, too.

2. Colorful, softer yarns make for unique weavings. Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

   Use crocheting thread for the warp because it needs to withstand more tension, pull and friction. More decorative or fuzzy yarns are typically used for the weft. Cut the warp yarns to the length that you want your final product to be, leaving an extra for take-up and starting and ending knots.

3. String your warp threads through each hole in every card from left to right. Go in the same direction or the cards won't turn. Tie knots at the end of the string once it has passed through the card, securing it on. Gather the tails from the four knots on one card and attach them to a metal ring or something that you can attach to a surface to work the tablet weaving. Tie each set of four warp yarns together after you thread a card. Once you have all the cards threaded, stack them like a deck of cards with one set of edges flat toward you. Cut a large amount of your weft thread, the yarn that will be passed back and forth binding your weave together. Wrap it around a playing card cut in half, winding it up so that it can easily pass back and forth between the shed.

4. Pass one end of the weft through the shed. Turn the entire pack of cards one-quarter turn, either away from or toward yourself. Smooth your pass down and tighten it using a chop stick like a comb to pack it down.

5. Continue repeating the same steps of turning the cards, packing the shed, tightening the previous weft, and passing another weft through the shed until you reach your desired length.

References

• Spinning Down Under: An Introduction to Card Weaving
• The Weaver's Hand: Tablet Weaving