Weaver's Hand

Card Weaving Study based on the book, Card Weaving by Candace Crockett

This study group is from Compuserve's Fiberarts Forum, Section 17 Braids and Bands. You can study here or if you are on CompuServe join us there. All you need is Candace Crockett's book Card Weaving, some 3/2 or 5/2 cotton, and at least 25 cards (tablets). By following the book and suggestions here, you will, depending on your level, learn to card weave and/or comprehend the technique so that you are comfortable with it and can create your own designs.

Card Weaving Study Group (CWSG)

This is the way I wish I had been taught to card weave. My goal is to be sure that we all understand the mechanics of the weaving process, how the turning and threading direction relate to each other and how to design your own work. Be sure to read everything assigned and ask questions! Enjoy yourself!

Please read chapters 1 on History, 2 on Tools and Materials, and 3 The Basic Technique

A Note on the photos - low contrast makes the light and medium colors hard to distinguish.

Assignment 1 - Chapter 3,

We will make the sample on page 32, Band A. Note I have suggested you weave 6" to 10" on most all of these sections. This will give you the chance to practice your weaving, beat hard, and make straight selvedges. It also gives you a nice length of sample to examine.

Warp - 3/2 mercerized cotton or something similar, use a smooth strong yarn, nothing stretchy. Three colors or shades of one color, dark, medium, and light. 10 cards Make your warp 2 yards long. (Use no more than 6" to tie-on and 2" to spread the warp. I am assuming there will be about 12" for waste, if this isn't enough add what you think you will need to the overall length.)

Thread your cards following the pattern draft on page 33. Remember cards face to the left and D-A is on top.

Use Crockett's instructions on how to set up the warp on page 34 or use your favorite method.

Read page 39 through the rest of the chapter before you start to weave. When you begin weaving follow the sequences of turning on page 40 figure3-17, 1 through 5. Be sure to re-read page 48 Controlling the Weft Thread.

1. Weave 6" to 10" toward your body, to be now known as *toward*.
2. Weave 6" to 10" away from your body, to be now known as *away* You will notice that the woven band doesn't lie flat, it is because you have been twisting all the threads in the same direction. We will learn how to deal with this later. Top photo.
3. Weave 6" to 10" turning 4 toward and 4 away, figure 3-18 on page 43. Now read page 40, figure 3-17, 6 through 9. The warp tends to spread a bit when you reverse the turns so adjust your weft properly at this point. You will also notice that the weft will show at the selvedges. Be sure to turn four full turns, check this by making sure that you throw the weft four times. If you don't you will get a box, but not the one that looks like figure 3-1 on page 31 or 3-19 on page 43. Notice the two light threads that connect the boxes. You will notice that your weaving now lies flat due to turning the cards toward and and away.

Stop here, DON'T cut your weaving off we will still be using this warp.

On to Assignment 1, part 2.

Questions? Click on the the Weaver's Hand.