I have a somewhat supid question but an important one to me.  I have a 45" counterbalance nilus, I am a new weaver and I need to know how you all handle the pattern while weaving, do you hang it, do you have any tricks as to how you foloow it line by line, I am finding this to be a problem.  I want my hands free and haven't found a way to hang my pattern in a way I can follow it hands free.  What are your tricks?

Grace

Comments

Wed, 04/20/2011 - 13:16

Threshkin (not verified)

If the pattern is complex I set it on the bench beside me.  Usually after a couple of repeats I have the pattern memorized.

Wed, 04/20/2011 - 13:20

Claudia Segal (not verified)

I write the treadling plan out on a small piece of paper and tape it with painters tape (no residue) onto the side of the beater at eye level.

If it's complex, I use a magnetic board on the bench next to me or on a nearby tray table so I can move the magnetic strip down a line as I complete each treadling pattern.  Just like Threshkin, I find it doesn't take long to memorize it and I can keep a close eye on changes.

Good question.

Claudia

Wed, 04/20/2011 - 16:20

lkautio (not verified)

I used lined postits, and put logical treadling groups onto each line.  If I get up I can mark the spot with a pin. 

A form of shorthand helps me to memorize repeats of any length or treadle long patterns without repeats accurately.  The type of shorthand I use varies from one weave and pattern to another.  It might be a graphic:  //V (which might mean treadle 1234, 1234, 321234), or a repeat: 2(1>8), 12>3, /V\ R (would be 12345678, 12345678, 12 11 10 9876543, 123456789 10 11 12, 11 10 987654321, 123456789 10 11 12, 11 10 987654321, Reverse), a shaped curve or angle of slanted line, or a similar set of tricks with block names instead of treadle numbers. I don't include regularly occuring tabby picks.  If two patterns are interleaved or woven simultaneously, they can be mentally stacked or broken into the component parts (much simpler to remember!).  Most of the beginning patterns are quite simple, so if you start simplifying and memorizing now, you will be find it easier when you get to more complex patterns.

Laurie Autio

Wed, 04/20/2011 - 16:46

stseraphina (not verified)

I tape the treadling sequence to the castle.  Then I make up a little tune for each line - do, re, mi, fa,  for treadles 1, 2, 3, 4, etc up the scale.  Pretty soon I'm playing the organ on my loom :-)  Works for me.  For some reason the notes and humming the tune sticks in my head better than any other system.

Kris

Wed, 04/20/2011 - 19:16

Grace McIntyre (not verified)

What great ideas, you are a smart bunch, thank you.  I am going to try these, well maybe not the song one since I am told I already make too much noise with my weaving.

Thanks again,

Grace