Introduction to Double Face Tablet Weaving Using a 2 Deck Technique

Going through a single deck, card by card, can be time consuming and prone to errors. When doing such patterns it becomes obvious that separating the cards into 2 decks, one for forward turning and one for backward turning, will alleviate some of the confusion.

First, some definitions:

Forward Turn: ¼ rotation of the card away from the weaving (towards the back of the loom.)

Backwards Turn: ¼ rotation of the card towards the weaving (towards you or the front of the loom.)

Weft: What passes through the weaving to tie it down.

Warp: The length-wise portion of the weaving. (What the cards are on.)

Pick: 2 turns of the card, result in one pick of the pattern.

Starting Position: What I will refer to as to when to start the pattern. In this case, the colors will be separated, one each on top and bottom. (See photo below)

Reading A Pattern:

The simplest way to read a double weave pattern is to read the graph of the pattern. This may take some practice, but it's much like reading a bar graph. It's also less confusing than counting each card out. We'll explore how to read the graphs together.

Overview of the Method:

The cards are going to be separated into 2 decks, one for each color. Lets say you have green and yellow; one deck will always be green, while the other will always be yellow. The direction that you turn the two decks will change but the color will not. All of the cards in DECK A (green) will go the same direction, and all of the cards in DECK B (yellow) will go in the opposite direction. After each 2 passes of the weft, the decks change direction. (Note: if you are using borders, they will continue to go the same direction & switch decks between picks.)

Using this method, it's only necessary to move the cards to the other deck when that particular card in the pattern changes color.

Let's Play!

First, keep all of your cards in a single deck as you begin your weaving. Turn the cards forward until the weaving width does not spread out anymore. Now you are ready to begin the pattern. It's a good idea to make a solid color of your "background" color before you begin the actual motif of the pattern. To do this:

1. To start you must be in the correct starting position. The position is one each of the colors on top and bottom. (IE, the colors separated, one in the back and one color towards the front.)

2. You will still have a single deck of cards to begin. Turn the cards the appropriate way (if you want Green and it's in the A/D position, it's a FORWARD turn; likewise if you want Green and it's in the B/C position it's a BACKWARD turn.) and pass the weft, making two passes before the next pick.

3. For the next pick, you will go the opposite direction. Again twice.

4. Repeat steps until you desire to start the motif.

Starting the Motif

1. Make sure you are in the starting position.

2. Look carefully at your pattern graph. Count out which cards will be the different color & move them into Deck B.

3. Turn the cards & Pass your weft.

4. Turn the cards & Pass your weft again.

5. The Pick is now complete! Move your border cards into the opposite deck. Go look at the next pick & continue. Remember that the directions for each deck will now change.

(HINT: If you loose your place look carefully at your cards. If you move the cards forward, what color will you get? If you move them backward, what will you get?)