How to Read Weaving Drafts

[@urbanpreppingwithpam916]

Girl, you REALLY need to make more videos. You are an excellent teacher! I bought a loom, have it threaded, but it has sat there 2 years because I’m afraid. I’m going to give it a go. I’ve watched so many videos on how to read a draft. Yours is by for better than any other video I have seen. Please, please, consider making videos on how to actually weave.

[@darcyfabre]

Hi!! Thank you so much for your encouragement. I do really want to get back into making videos, but I feel out of practice and kind of afraid to start again. Isn't that silly? Is there anything specific that's intimidating you about weaving? I feel like winding the warp and threading is the hardest part! I'd love to hear what you need help with so I can be further motivated to make more videos. Wishing you all the best!

[@christinadupuy897]

Well done, and simply explained, thank you!

[@rebeccanichols7990]

I am a rigid heddle weaver, and have been struggling to understand how to translate 3 and 4 shaft patterns to my loom, using extra heddles/pickup sticks. Lots of videos showing people weaving this way, and how to warp for that specific pattern. Also video explanations of drafts that don't look like the drafts I am finding in books and online. Your video was EXACTLY what I have been needing! Now I can translate any pattern myself. Thank you!!!

[@darcyfabre]

Yay!! That's so great to hear. Happy weaving!

[@angeladavis3066]

Thank you SO much! This was super clear and super helpful!

[@TheQwuilleran]

Very-well explained, thank you. I would have guessed the treddling was read top down, away from the tie-up (like the threading)

[@darcyfabre]

@TheQwuilleran Thank you! I've actually learned since making this video that it could be read either way depending on who wrote the draft and where they're from. I believe top down is the typical American way. It also varies by software, Fiberworks wants you to design top-down, but Weavepoint is bottom-up. I used Weavepoint before Fiberworks, so that's likely why I do it the way I do.

[@annewales7925]

This is so well explained in an uncomplicated way. Thank you.

[@worksofhands]

on the book pages you used on the thumbnail picture, the squares also has numbers, and there are other things happening on it. Did you also explain it in another video?

[@jennifercongdon4583]

Thank you for a clear, thoughtful explanation.

[@partyfiesta1557]

The best explanation! Clear and simple

[@darcyfabre]

Thank you!

[@iOlivefy]

This is so helpful!! Thank you!!

[@Sue-ec6un]

Hey! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! This video is a keeper...eventually it'll get thru my think skull. :)

[@TheBlondiesNr1]

In swedish drafts, the first shaft is the one furthest away from you!

[@Iiiiiooio]

May I know the name of the book on the KZbin screen?

[@darcyfabre]

It's the Handweaver's Pattern Directory by Anne Dixon!

[@Iiiiiooio]

@@darcyfabre Thank you😀😀

[@lynncoleman9867]

So when I actually start to weave I start. at the bottom of the trendling chart and when I get to the top I start over at. the bottom? Is that correct? Thank you

[@darcyfabre]

Exactly right! On the loom, you're weaving the cloth from bottom up, so that's the way you need to read the treading chart.

[@tjorg75]

I am feeling so dumb..Everything/everyone talks about tieing up the peddles. I have a 4 shaft table loom with little levers to raise shafts 1, 2, 3, & 4. I just don't know how to relate this. Help!! Old lady brain!!!

[@darcyfabre]

Hi! For a table loom, you'll need to create something called a lift plan. For every treadle on the weaving draft, look up at the tie-up section and write down what shafts need to be raised for each treadle. That will be your lift plan. Say you're weaving a 2/2 twill and the treadling order is 1 2 3 4. The first treadle will lift shafts 1 and 2, so on a table loom you'll need to pull down those levers, then treadle 2 will lift shafts 2 and 3, so you'll pull those down, treadle 3 would do 3 and 4, and treadle 4 would lift 4 and 1. I see that Acton Creative has a video called "Read a weaving draft for table looms." I haven't watched it, but it may be useful. I hope this helps!