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Headstick Configuration for Diagonally Interlaced

When planning a diagonally interlaced project, the configuration of the strands on the headstick establishes the foundation for the weaving. Several decisions must be made before the headstick can be configured. First, the number of strands. Next, the direction the weave will be worked. Finally the configuration of the shed.

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Number of Strands The number of strands determines the width of the workpiece. When a strand reaches the edge of the workpiece it is turned back into the workpiece on the opposite diagonal and and shed layer. If the strand is in the bottom shed layer it will turn up when it reaches the edge of the workpiece. If the strand is in the top shed layer the strand will turn down when it reaches the edge of the workpiece. When a project requires the edges of two elements to be joined, the direction that the strands turn when they reach edge of the workpiece must be planned. If there is an even number of strands, the strands will turn in opposite directions when they reach the edges of the work piece. If there is an odd number of strands, the strands will turn in the same direction when they reach the edges of the work piece. [NOTE] For these tutorials only even numbered strands will be used.

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Direction of Weave The diagonally interlaced weave can be worked from the right hand side to the left hand side of the workpiece or in the opposite direction, from the left to the right hand edge. If the workpiece has only one element, diagonally interlaced weaving can be worked in either direction. But if the workpiece contains more than one element it may be necessary to work different parts of the project in different direction. There are two main configurations for an even number of strands. One configuration starts with the first strand in the top shed layer and the last strand in the bottom layer. The second configuration starts with the first strand in the bottom shed layer and the last strand in the top shed layer.

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Shed Configuration Because of the direction of the weave and the position of the first strand there are four basic configurations of the shed. They are: Worked right to left and the first strand in the top shed layer The shed is picked up so that the top shed layer is over the index finger of the left hand. The bottom shed layer is under the index finger. [OBSERVE] The first strand on the right hand edge is in the top layer of the shed. [figure-1] NEXT Worked left to right and the first strand in the bottom layer of the shed. The shed is picked up so that the top shed layer is over the index finger of the left hand. The bottom shed layer is under the index finger. [OBSERVE] The first strand on the left hand edge is in the bottom layer of the shed. [NOTE] The arrangement of the strands on the headsticks is the same for figures 1 and 2. [NOTE] The diffference is the direction the weaving will be worked. The left hand holds the shed for working from the right side to the left side. The right hand holds the shed for working from the left side to the right side. [figure-2] NEXT Worked right to left and first strand in bottom shed layer The shed is picked up so that the top shed layer is over the index finger of the left hand. The bottom shed layer is under the index finger. [OBSERVE] The first strand on the right hand edge is in the bottom layer of the shed. [NOTE] The arrangement of the strands on the headsticks is a mirror image of the arrangement of the strands for figures 1 and 2. [figure-3] NEXT Worked left to right first strand in top shed layer The shed is picked up so that the top shed layer is over the index finger of the left hand. The bottom shed layer is under the index finger. [OBSERVE] The first strand on the left hand edge of the workpiece is in the top layer of the shed. [NOTE] The arrangement of the strands on the headsticks is the same for figures 3 and 4. [figure-4] Top of page