Editing Tablet weaving (section)

== Procedure ==
[[File:Tabletweaving-basic.jpg|thumb|left|Tablet weaving on an Inkle loom]]
The fundamental principle is to turn the tablets to lift selected sets of threads in the warp.  The tablets may be turned in one direction continually as a pack, turned individually to create patterns, or turned some number of times "forward" and the same number "back".  Twisting the tablets in only one direction can create a ribbon that curls in the direction of the twist, though there are ways to thread the tablets that mitigate this issue.

[[File:Spjaldvefnadur.png|thumb|Backstrap loom in Iceland, 1903.]]
Some weavers prefer the backstrap method of weaving, where one end of the warp was tucked into (or wrapped around) the weaver's belt and the other is looped over a toe/tied to a pole or furniture. Other weavers prefer to use "Inkle" looms, which are a more modern invention and act as both loom and warping board for the project.  Some traditional weavers weave between two poles and wrap the weft around the poles (similar to the Oseberg loom found in Norway dating from the 9th century).  Commercial "tablet weaving looms" adapt this idea and are convenient because they make it easy to put the work down.

[[File:Ramshornthree.jpg|thumb|right|Ram's Horn pattern of tablet weaving]]
Some patterns require that weavers thread each card individually. Others allow "continuous warping", which puts the threads through the holes of an entire deck – the four threads in the deck of cards are wrapped around two stationary objects, dropping one card each time around the fixed points. Cards are threaded in either S (in through the right of the card) or Z (in through the left of the card) directions, which alters the pattern created by turning the cards.

A [[Shuttle (weaving)|shuttle]] about {{cvt|5 to 8|in}} long is placed in the [[Shed (weaving)|shed]] to beat the previous weft, then carry the next weft into the shed.  Shuttles made for tablet weaving have tapered edges to beat down the weft.  Simple flat wooden or plastic shuttles work well for weaving any kind yarn from wool to cotton to silk.

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Patterns are made by placing different-colored yarns in different holes, then turning individual cards until the desired colors of the weft are on top.  After that, a simple pattern, like a stripe, small diamond or check, can be repeated just by turning the deck of tablets.

Tablet weaving is especially freeing, because any pattern can be created by turning individual tablets.  This is in contrast to normal looms, in which the complexity of the pattern is limited by the number of shafts available to lift threads, and the threading of the [[heddle]]s.

Tablet weaving can also be used to weave tubes or double weave.  The tablets are made to have four levels in the warp, and then two sheds are beat and wefted, one in the top pair of warps, and the other in the bottom pair, before turning the deck.  Since groups of tablets can be turned separately, the length, width and joining of the tubes can be controlled by the weaver.