Combination Weaving

 Earth’s inhabitants have used fibers throughout time. Birds weave fibers into nests.  People have long used the same principle to create dwellings, clothing, and useful items such as baskets and rugs. Any material that can be formed into strands and manipulated so that it interlocks with itself or other strands can be considered a fiber. 

Vocabulary to Know

1.Loom: A device used for weaving

2.Warp: The lengthwise yarn wound onto the loom.

3.Weft: The yarns used to weave horizontally across the warp.

4.Heading: The first few inches woven onto a new warp in plain weave before actual weaving begins.

5.Tapestry: the art of joining together rows or sections of woven color to create a design

Types of Weaves

1.Plain weave: The weft moves across the warp, going under one warp, then over the next and repeating this movement across the warp. Also known as tabby weave

2.Variation tabby weave: any variation of the weft moving across the warp. ie: over one warp, under two; over two warps, under two; over two warps, under one; over three or more warps and under however many you choose etc.

3.Rya knots: these are the "fuzzy" looking yarns on a weaving created by lying the yarn over two warps, circling under those from the sides and coming back between the same warps

4.Vertical slit: an area that is woven on both sides and where they meet, they do not cross but turn and go back in the opposite direction and leave an area without yarn thus forming a slit.

5.Diagonal weave: when the weave is decreased or increased by one warp each time or every other time before turning back in the opposite direction to continue weaving.

How to begin Combination Weave:

         Start by creating your loom. Stacking 4 pieces of white paper, cutting 4 of the same shapes and glue together. This will be the foundation for your colorful collage. Work abstract! Layer the colorful paper and create negative and positive shapes. Plan for the areas on your collage that will be the warp.  To start your heading, begin with the weft, weaving over and under. Incorporate all 5 types of weave. When you have completed your Combination Weave take a photo and journal about your artwork!