I love Latvian Flower Bands. There's an out-of-print book called
"Latviešu Jostas" (in English "Latvian Sashes, Belts and Bands") by Aleksandra Dzērvītis and Lilija Treimanis in Latvian and English where these band patterns are found. I learned how to weave a Latvian Flower Band from a wonderful "Winter Belt WAL" (weave along) in the Knit Like a Latvian Ravelry group, which was so interesting, educational, inspirational, and so much fun. They are really fun to weave.
Here's the Latvian flower band I'm working on now. It's #10 from the Latviesu Jostas book. The yarn is size 3/2 weaving cotton from Webs. The pattern threads are doubled.
The "flowers" are the red flowers in the center of the band and the yellow flowers with the red center alongside the center. The center of the flower will have the same color as the weft thread that you use, which is usually the same color as the selvage threads. So, my flowers all have red centers. The traditional colors of Latvian bands are red, yellow, blue, and green. Above and below the flowers are doubled threads, or heavier threads, which help decorate the band. Here's a close-up of the flowers:
To weave a Latvian band, you pick up the doubled pattern threads, weave 2 shots of tabby, and then push down the doubled threads, and again weave 2 shots of tabby, and repeat these 6 rows. With this band, the flowers aren't side by side--they alternate across the band. So, for a pattern row, you pick up one set of doubled threads and also push down the other set of pattern threads, and vice versa for the other pattern thread.
Here's a picture of the band on my Schacht inkle loom.
The shuttle on the right is from Stoorstalka. It's very handy for picking up threads. Next time I'll wrap my weft threads around it and use it for weaving. The small shuttle has a really nice edge. It's from Buckmaster Family Farms. I got it from them at the Middle Tennessee Fiber Festival.
My notes: Red flower center: red, red, double yellow, red, double yellow, red, red. (red flower, red center)
Yellow flower: yellow, yellow, double blue, yellow, double blue, yellow, yellow. (yellow flower, red center)
Another Yellow flower: yellow, yellow, double green, yellow, double green, yellow, yellow. (yellow flower, red center)
Thanks, Linda! I just saw your comment! :)
ReplyDeleteGood Evening
ReplyDeleteWould you be willing to sell me a copy of the pattern? I have looked everywhere for the pattern and I am unable to locate one. I am located in Bow, NH.
Hi Martha
DeleteI've seen this band on a Norwegian site before:
http://vevstua.bull-sveen.net/?p=2372
Search for "Alternative mønster:" on that page.
The only difference is that the one on the Norwegian site has green and yellow doubled pattern threads whereas the one here has blue and yellow ones.
Hi, Martha Pouliot, the pattern is a graph which is almost impossible to figure out without knowing what it means. But, there's a good explanation on a Ravelry Group. You have to join Ravelry.com first. It's a website mainly for knitters and crocheters, but inkle weavers are there also. Then find the "Group" called "Knit Like a Latvian". In that group, we did a weave along called "Winter Belt Weave Along" A Latvian band was taught in that group that is very similar to this one but a little smaller. I'll find the link in a minute.
DeleteHI, Michael, Yes that is like this band. Thanks for the link!
DeleteHI, Martha, The link to the Latvian band on Ravelry is here: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/knit-like-a-latvian/3109568/26-50
DeleteLook at post 29 and following posts.
I'll look for the graph and post it to my blog also. It is difficult to "read". I'll eventually do a whole blog post on how to read it and figure it out, but I have a lot going on this weekend. I might have time early next week to write out a blog post. Eventually I'll warp up my inkle loom and take pics of the band in progress to show how to weave it.
DeleteHI, Martha, I found my notes on the colors, so I'll list them here. You wrap these colors to the center color, and then warp them backwards (from right to left). Some colors are "doubled" so you can either use a heavier thread or 2 threads as one. If you use 2 threads as one, make sure you pick them both up or push them both down as one.
DeleteThis band is more difficult than the one on Ravelry. It has 2 sets of "flowers" so you are alternating picking up the doubled threads and pushing them down. I haven't woven this in a long time, but I remember it took some playing around to figure out which ones to start with. If you look at the info above, you'll see that you pick up a some doubled threads, such as both sets of doubled yellow threads and throw your weft. Then do 2 sets of tabby. Then you'll pick up the other set of doubled threads, such as the doubled blue threads and throw your weft. Then do two rows of tabby (plain weave.) I'll try to do a blog post soon with pics of weaving on my loom.
Here's the color order:
DeleteRed, Red, Yellow, Yellow, Blue, Blue, Yellow, Yellow, blue, yellow, blue, yellow, yellow, blue, blue, yellow, yellow, {doubled blue, yellow, doubled blue}, yellow, yellow, red, {red, doubled yellow, red...} Go backwards after the last red. That red thread is the center thread. Don't repeat the last red--just start reading the colors to the left. The "flowers" are in these brackets { . There should be 51 threads.
Martha, I think when you're picking up one set of doubled threads, you push down on the other doubled threads and vice versa. So, if you pick up the set of doubled yellow threads, you push down on the doubled blue threads. But, it's been awhile since I wove it. The one on Ravelry has just one set of doubled threads, so it is easier to start with.
DeleteHi Kathy. No problem. I notice the Norwegian one was posted a few months after your one.
DeleteThanks for the instructions :)
Hi, Michael, you're welcome! I'm going to post a simple Latvian flower band that I mentioned is on Ravelry and that I made before this one. Thanks, again!
DeleteHi, Martha, I just did a blog post on the easier Latvian Flower band. It has a center flower so it's easier to do than the bands that have multiple flowers. The color order for warping is there also and how to weave it. Hope this helps!
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ReplyDeleteI would like to thank everyone who took the time to research and post. Being such a newbie to Inkle weaving and trying to tackle this one has me looking for a teacher here in NH. To all your work is beautiful and I can only hope to get there someday. Take good care.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Martha! You'll get there! Have fun!
DeleteBonjour ,passionnée de ce tissage très décoratif , j’aimerais savoir la disposition des fils au départ .je vois sur internet mais personne ne parle du début de l’ouvrage . J’ai des livres en anglais , mais qui avec la traduction ,le mots c’ont pas toujours la même signification . Je suis une vieille dame qui cherche de l’aide car en France nous n’avons aucun livres pour de genre de tissage c’est dommage et je le regrette .
ReplyDeleteMerci à tous et surtout à ceux qui me répondrons .bonne soirée à tous
I'm curious if you have advice on how to read the patterns in this book.
ReplyDelete