Norwegian Pick-Up Bandweaving

Narrow patterns are fun to weave. In the last post, I provided 24 charts for five pattern ends in Baltic-style pick-up. In this post, I’ll show you three examples of how narrow patterns might be used in a band: by threading two identical pattern sections, by combining different motifs, and by simply repeating one pattern over and over to develop rhythm. You’ll find the charts that I used at the end of the post.

Threading Two Pattern Sections for a Wider Band

If you want to weave a wider band but still keep the patterning simple, you can thread two identical pattern sections with a border between them, as I’ve done in the violet, green, and blue wool band above. I charted two different motifs and placed diagonal separators between them to make pleasing transitions. If you’re practicing your pick-up skills, you get to reinforce what you’re learning by repeating the same motions in both sections on each shed.

Warp Draft for Violet/Green/Blue Band

Combining Different Motifs with Separators

For the chart for the red band being woven above, I chose six different motifs and placed small separator motifs between them. For variety and a visually pleasing division of space, I alternated smaller motifs with larger ones. Notice how the transitions from one motif to the next stay in sync with the underlying staggered threading. If you’re not familiar with that concept, you might want to review a previous post, Pattern Design Basics.

Warp Draft for Red and White Band

Relaxing Repetition

When I was learning to weave pick-up, I liked to repeat the same pattern over and over for the length of the band to build rhythm and skill through repetition. Because I learned early on not to rely on the chart, but instead to familiarize myself with the motifs and then to read the work in front of me as I wove, I found such repetition relaxing. That’s what I did with the simple bands above, which were woven many years ago, and I still often like to weave that way with more complex patterns.

Warp Draft for Brown/Black or Red/Brown Band

Charts

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