Tuesday 25 November 2008

Tablet Weaving

So here is the tablet weaving - a belt for Eden. I used crewel work wool in silver lilac and milk chocolate. The pattern is one of slanting bands and it was very simple to weave.
Yes, after all that shilly-shallying about, it only took me an hour or two to actually weave the darned thing. I'm pretty happy with it because, as anyone in the Guild will tell you, I take to weaving like a hydrophobe takes to water.

Tablet weaving is as ancient as you like. The Romans did it and so did the Vikings and it is a handy skill to demonstrate on medieval days. It can be quite complicated but as a beginner I stuck to the easy stuff. That said, it made my brain ache a bit but that is because I am such an utter duffer at warping up. It involves visualising numbers you see and I am rather like a monkey with a key board in that department. I just keep following instructions while not understanding a word of it. Not very comfortable.

Above are the tablets that I used. I have twenty and I actually used four. Yes - four. But when I get onto using silks I dare say I will need more tablets to make a decent width of braid.

The belt is about an inch in width and there are some errors even in such a simple pattern but I am still pretty happy with it. I gave up on perfection a long time ago reasoning that I would rather have something to show for my time rather than ripping stuff up when it went wrong. I often go wrong but in the words of Wellington - just tie a knot and move on. I am gratified to say that the only knots in this are the ones that are meant to be there.

So it looks like this is a go and I will shortly be doing a few more belts for myself and the girls. Hope you have a pleasantly knot free day today too.

8 comments:

Patois42 said...

Hanging head in shame as I'm once again awed...even if you "just keep following instructions while not understanding a word of it."

Gina said...

Mal always tell's me that there are no mistakes, just design changes. that's my story and I stick to it.

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Sa said...

wow, sounds complicated! Good job you know what you are doing

Technodoll said...

Wow I've never even heard of tablet weaving... will have to go google it (I'm so modern, LOL!)

Lovely belt :-)

Lorraine said...

Sian- Have you ever seen a film called "American Women"? It was filmed in Ireland, and this guy asks a girl if she wants to do some "shilly-shallying" and she pours a drink over his head.

It's a terrific movie.

Is there no end to your talents?

Anonymous said...

Keep going Another string to your bow.

Anonymous said...

so easy when you know how????

Kati said...

Awww, that's lovely. I'm in agreement that even just following the directions while not understanding the purpose is still great! I mean, we don't all start out undestanding the reasons we do the things we're supposed to do, that wisdom comes with time and experience. I'm sure it's like that with weaving as it is with everything else.