How to Tablet Weave on an Inkle Loom
Tablet weaving, also known as card weaving, dates back to 400 B.C. This technique uses thin cardboard-like playing cards or index cards with yarn passing through the punched holes. By rotating the cards, you create a woven pattern. Inkle looms, which have dowels that hold the yarn, come in both floor and tabletop models.
Tablet weaving on an inkle loom helps you create narrow fabric designs such as belts, headbands and straps in a variety of colors and patterns.
Things You'll Need
- 11 playing cards
- Round hole punch
- Scissors
- 4 balls (2 colors total) of crochet or cotton yarn
- Permanent marker
Instructions
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1
Cut the playing cards into squares measuring 3 inches on each side. Punch a hole into each of the four corners of the cards. Label the holes on each card as A, B, C and D.
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2
Measure and cut each ball of yarn (this will be the "warp") into 60 feet lengths; enough to go through your loom 11 times.
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3
Stack all your cards. Take one warp yarn of one color and guide it through the holes labeled A on each card. Take the second warp yarn of your first color and guide it through the holes labeled B on each card. Take one warp of your second color and guide it through the holes labeled C on each card. Take the second warp of your second color and guide it through the holes labeled D on each card.
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4
Gather all of the warp yarns on the back of the cards and tie a slipknot in order to bundle them together. Place the knotted end of your warp yarn around the tension knob located on the back of your inkle loom.
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5
Bring your warp yarn under the loom and wrap it around the front two pegs of your loom. Hold your deck of cards up in the empty space near the middle of the loom. This will become your working area.
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6
Drop the first card into the working area and hold the rest of the deck in your hand, away from the working area. Following the path of the loom, guide your warp yarns around the pegs, one card at a time. Continue doing this until all of your cards have been dropped into the working area.
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7
Cut your warp yarns near the ball of yarn, then cut the yarns near the slipknot. Tie these warp yarns together. Wind your shuttle with yarn or lightweight cotton cord; this will be the "weft."
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8
Pass the shuttle through the shed of your loom, from left to right. Hold all of your cards in one hand, and rotate 1/4 turn, away from yourself. Slide the deck of cards toward yourself, then away from yourself again to clear the shed.
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9
Bring the shuttle through the shed from left to right, letting the shuttle rest in the shed. Take the shuttle tail through the shed from right to left and bring the shuttle through the shed. This will close up your weave. In inkle weaving, unlike most other types, only the warp yarns will show in the finished cloth; the weft will be invisible.
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10
Repeat the previous two steps until you complete your first full rotation of the cards. Continue this for two more rounds, rotating the cards 1/4 turn away from yourself. Repeat this pattern until you have completed your tablet weaving project.
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11
Cut the warp yarns from your cards and remove the cards from your working area. Remove your weaving and cut off the fringe.
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Tips & Warnings
If the tension bar in your loom no longer slides easily, you can apply paste wax to the slot.
When using and storing your loom, be sure to avoid excess moisture as it can ruin the inkle loom.
While cutting your cards, you may want to round the corners as this makes them easier to rotate.
During weaving, do not pull the ends too tightly or the selvedges will pull in, distorting the cloth's width.
