Tag: cotton

Tablet weaving double sided

On By CarynIn Craft

It has been awhile since I pulled out my inkle loom and did some tablet weaving. I wanted to try a double-sided design and use some size 3 pearlized cotton from my stash.

Photo description: inkle loom warped with tan and green pearlized cotton with 19 4-hole tablet cards

I used the online pattern maker Tablet Weaver Designer App and made several designs as I went. The band ended up being more of a sampler piece as I experimented with letters and music notes.

Photo description: “HARMONY” woven on an inkle loom with 4-hole tablet cards using size 3 pearlized cotton

The designer app now also shows if the pattern is balanced— that each card has the same number of forward and backward turns across the pattern. As weaving progresses for tablet weaving, twist builds up in the warp.

Photo description: twist in the warp across the top posts of an inkle loom

There are a number of ways to deal with warp twist, I find making a balanced pattern the easiest. Using the design app I discovered that adding an extra row between two of the same motifs reverses all the forward and backward turns, balancing the pattern in double sided weaving.

Photo description: music notes tablet woven on an inkle loom

To keep track of rows, I cut two slits in a piece of cardstock and slid it over my printed pattern.

Photo description: paper row tracker

I did keep track of time for this project. It took me 1.5 hours to warp the loom, and I wove for 6 hours and 10 minutes. I used a timer in a knitting app to track the time.

Photo description: band removed from the loom, showing the reverse side of the music notes

The next step is to add ends on the strap.

30 min series: Cord summary

On By CarynIn Craft, Uncategorized

Here are all the kinds cords I made laid side by side:

Photo description: eight cords made with different methods laid horizontally: 4 kinds of i-cord, lucet, disc braided, woven, and loop braided, all made from worsted weight cotton yarn
Photo description: chart for each type of cord, the length I made in 30 minutes, and how much each cord stretched

Apparently I can’t make charts in the app I use to write this blog, disappointing.

For i-cord, I found the knitting dolly gave the most even output, but if I needed long lengths quickly and didn’t care as much for the look or feel, I’d use a latch hook cord maker. If I needed a strong cord that wouldn’t stretch, I would weave it, but if I needed it long, I’d use a Lucet. If I wanted a spectacular demonstration of partner cord making, I’d do finger loop braiding. If I wanted something short but beautiful, I’d use a disc braider.

So each type of cord has its uses. My least favorite was crocheting an i-cord, but if crochet is what you are most comfortable with, it will work. In my tiny crochet days, I would slip stitch beaded rope, which in 30 minutes I would maybe make an inch!

30 min series: partner loop braiding

On By CarynIn Craft

The traditional way to make longer lengths of loop braiding is to work in pairs. One person holds the loops on their fingers and makes the move, the other person is at the opposite end of the yarn bundle and tightens the braid after each move. The method of tightening, by pushing with the blade of the hand, or pulling the strands out at right angles, makes a difference in braid density, and it takes some practice to get an even cord. It is handy as well to have another person helping for when the braider drops a loop. There are hiccups in the braid where I dropped a loop and accidentally added an extra twist.

I recruited my eldest to help me during a visit and we made 45 inches of braid in 30 minutes, which is more than I can make with a lucet in the same time.

Photo description: partnered loop braided cord made from yellow worsted weight cotton yarn

At this point, I would choose the lucet method of cord making if I needed a long, strong, dense cord and I was working on my own. However, if I needed a known length, as for a belt or trim, and had access to help, the loop braiding is considerably faster and can make thicker cord.

30 min series: knit cord 2

On By CarynIn Craft

To test my theory that knit i-cord has the most options by varying yarn weight and needle size, I knit worsted weight cotton with size two needles, which are much smaller than recommended for the yarn.

Photo description: i-cord knit with worsted weight cotton yarn and a size 2 circular Prym needle

As expected the cord comes out more dense and sturdy than cord knit with bigger needles. I only managed to make 10 inches of cord in 30 minutes. It has 20% stretch, which is 5% less than the i-cord knitted with size 8 needles. I’m a little disappointed that the difference in stretch isn’t more different.

Photo description: 10 inches of densely knit purple i-cord in a small spiral

Hm. Yes, I can vary stitch density by changing needle size, but I think I would choose another method if I needed a dense cord with less stretch.

In a world where you can be anything, be kind. Never forget.

30 min series: braided cord

On By CarynIn Craft

Braiding is common in cord making, so I did my 30 minute test with a foam disk (also called a Kumihimo disk). Here there is an added element of time wasting when dealing with the loose ends of the yarn. I initially cut lengths of cotton worsted weight yarn that I guessed would only take me 30 minutes to braid. It took 25 minutes. So I cut longer lengths and tried again. At the 30 minute mark I had a cord that was barely longer than the first cord because I had to manage the longer lengths of yarn tangling as I braided.

Photo description: foam braiding disk with a cord in process at the 30 minute mark and a finished cord that took 25 minutes, but is about the same length

There are ways to manage longer lengths of yarn, such as using bobbins or spools. Sometimes those tangle too, and there is time used to unwind more yarn when needed. Dangling yarn ends also attract cat attention, which can cause delays.

Photo description: Sophie the cat sniffing the end of a lashed yarn bundle, she came up on my lap chasing the yarn

When I reached 30 minutes and still had unused yarn, I decided to push for another 30 minutes, rather than waste the yarn. In 60 minutes I created 28 inches of braided cord. The cord is dense and stiff, but has 15% stretch (20 inches can be stretched to 23 inches.)

Photo description: seven stranded finished cord braided with a foam disk in an hour

Braided cord is a length limited method because the yarn needs to be cut prior to beginning the braid. With yarn management, though, it is possible to braid quite a long cord. I wonder if the bobbins used for bobbin lace would work for braiding? Hm. Something to experiment with.