I currently have my treadles tied 1234 from left to right. And it seems ok as that's how I learned in my first and only workshop where I made three towels ( although on that weekend I also had 5/6 for tabby and for my current pattern tabby is 3/4. I just watched a you tube video where the teacher advocates tie ups so that you can "walk" the treadles first left foot then right so they go : 3124 across . On a small 4 shaft loom I don't know it it really much matters but someday when I'm working with 6 treadles, or maybe even 8, perhaps the improved ergonomics will be sufficient to do it that way. If that's the case, then I'd like to start training myself in a consistent fashion. As Laura says - if you can't be perfect, be consistent :-) I'm interested in your opinions.

Comments

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 18:01

laurafry

If walking the treadles makes sense to you, then that's the way to go.  Give it a try and see if you like it.  Tie ups are not written in stone, they can be changed to make weaving easier - whatever that means to you.  Personally I like to keep the tie up the same and then just do the 'dance' required.  So for example, on the current place mat warp I have plain weave on either side of a 'standard' twill tie up, but I'm weaving a broken twill by alternating feet (4,2,3,1).  for other warps I might be doing a straight twill, or pointed, or advancing progression.   By keeping the tie up the same and changing the choreography, I'm not under the loom changing tie ups.

Figure out what works for you and then go with that.

cheers,

Laura

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 18:21

JeanOCuilinn

Sounds better than "walking" :-) I'll experiment with the next towel and see how it goes. But, I suspect I'll leave it 1234 left to right. Thanks Laura
Tue, 01/13/2015 - 19:12

Sara von Tresckow

Any sequence that speaks to the way your brtain works will be a nice way to weave. For 4 shafts and 6 treadles, my preference is to mount the tabby on the two outside treadles, alternating, and the four inside treadles are a 2/2 twill going 1, 2, 3, 4 left to right.

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 01:53

sandra.eberhar…

I am currently weaving a twill pattern that has sectons of point (1-8), progression (1234, 2345, 3456 etc.) and satin (4725836 etc).  I think that the satin portion of the pattern is what you would call a walking patern: you alternate feet.  I find this the slowest part of the pattern.  For the point and progression, I can move sideways from treadle to treadle very quickly.  The alternate foot satin requires just a bit more attention to make sure I'm on the right treadle. 

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 02:03

mneligh

Even with a large number of treadles (22) I arrange my tie-ups so I walk them, with tabby on the 2 outside treadles in most cases, or the 2 center ones if every other row is tabby.  In either case I mark the 2 central treadles with rubber bands that I can feel with my feet.  As long as I stop at one end or the other of a walk, I can find my place again more easily, and I can get into the zone and listen to an audiobook while I weave.

After years of manually drawing out tie-ups on graph paper I had a moment of great revelation when looking at 16 shaft point twill drafts on handweaving.net.  If you thread ascending to descending (1,2,3 . . . 16,15,14 . . .2, 1) and walk the treadles, the tie-up is a duplicate of 1/4 of the symmetrical drawdown motif.   I hope I've said that in an understandable way.  All I really have to do is draw the tie-up if I assume point twill and walking the treadles when I design a new point twill draft.

At the moment, at least, I'm infatuatied with walking the treadles for my weaving.  Do whatever works for you.

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 02:03

Dena (not verified)

I walk my treadles whenever possible, although I am a production weaver and moving quickly.  I find it much easier because my left foot can find where it's going next before my right foot is completely finished with what it is doing.  It also helps me stay physically balanced while I am weaving.  The other advantage is that if you train yourself to always use the same hand and foot (or opposite, but always consistant) you will have a much better idea where you are when you lose your way.

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 04:10

JeanOCuilinn

Everyone for your help and opinions. 8, 16 or 22 treadles frankly sounds beyond the beyond as does production weaving at this point. But I imagine that by the time you get to that level your feet are well schooled in movement in patterns and you can plan the treadling according to your specific needs of the project you are completing. I'll practice both ways and see how it goes. Right now 1-4 left to right is comfortable.
Wed, 01/14/2015 - 04:15

JeanOCuilinn

the tie-up is a duplicate of 1/4 of the symmetrical drawdown motif.   Do you mean: 12-23-34-41 ?
Wed, 01/14/2015 - 06:06

laurafry

We each process information in our own way. Try all the different ways and see what resonates. So much depends on your equipment as well. Different looms are easier one way than another. If you are interested, I have video clips on You Tube or my DVD The Efficient Weaver where I show what I do. Take what works, leave what doesn't. :) Whatever you decide, practice with awareness of how you, the loom and your materials work together. Cheers Laura
Wed, 01/14/2015 - 16:44

sally orgren

I have 12 shafts on my floor loom = 14 treadles. Before I tie up, I sit at the dining room table with the draft and blank piece of paper, then pretend/practice the intended "dance" on imaginary treadles.

While doing this, I can easily sketch out on paper how I am going to tie up treadles based on what my brain-feet connection tells me will work most comfortably and be the most error-free. I can also make quick revisions (with an eraser) if it's not working as well as anticipated. (I hate having to re-tie. Ugh!)

I always balance out the treadles, so I am not using one foot or leaning to one side excessively, and oftentimes I leave some treadles untied as a spacer, so my feet "know" where I am without looking down. 

Another trick with that wide splay of 14 treadles: I try to the keep the most-frequently used ones directly under my body, the less frequently-used ones to the outer edges. So my tabby treadles in some cases might be 6 & 7, or 6 (space) 8, (instead of 1 & 14). The space between gives my non-working foot a place to rest while doing a pattern pic or the opposite tabby treadle.