Inkle bands and trolls

I was inspired by all the recent discussion on silk ribbons and beads and remembered I have an inkle loom so I decided to see how trolls might look on an inkle band. I stuck with fairly low key colours of black and deep grey, and I'm rather pleased at how it came out. I'm not enthused about the tie so I will experiment with ways to get a troll lock included, but I definitely see more inkle weaving on the horizon for me.


P1020120 by Tui Song, on Flickr

What is an inkle loom? It does produce a nice braid and it would be nice to see some other colours and patterns if you try some more weaving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pjNfadSPEo

I think it looks great TuiSong.

This is my inkle loom.


Inkle loom by Tui Song, on Flickr

It's fun and nicely portable. this one can weave a band up to about 5cm wide

Here's a pile of other inkle bands/ribbons? that I have made in varying thread weights.


Inkle heap by Tui Song, on Flickr

And I figured out how to include a lock. I thread the beads on, fold the band in half and clip the small end of the lock over them then tie into a single knot around the lock. Then I just clip the larger end through the loop. This length is lovely three times around the wrist, or once around neck as a necklace. I am so chuffed now that I finally have a way to 'show off' my inkle weaving as well as my beads


Inkle by Tui Song, on Flickr

Looks great! Does it take long to make a band?

An inkle wrap!! Genius! looks brilliant, love the black and grey! Nifty how you added the lock too
What else do you use the bands for?...guess the possibilities are endless!

it takes about an hour and a half to warp, weave and finish up a 1.2 meter length. Can take longer for warping up a more complex and wider pattern. I don't usually sit and weave for all that time though, I tend to complete a band over two or so days, picking it up and doing a bit here and there.

The bands can be used for so many things, a trim around clothing, wider ones for guitar straps, pouches, phone covers. They can be sewn together to create even wider fabric. Best use for a narrow one though, shoelaces! I haven't done any yet, I am trying to get hold of the aglets (end bits) you can buy shrink ones which you slide on and heat

What a great idea! I've never seen an inkle loom before - it works really well with Trollbeads too!

AquaAura wrote:What a great idea! I've never seen an inkle loom before

I have an inkling not many have!

ba-dum ching, thank you folks, I'll be playing on the main stage all week long.

They're not very common at all, It's very rare when someone I mention it to actually knows what one is!. It is such a fun and easy way to weave pretty ribbons and bands. And really doesn't take much ability or talent to produce a nice looking piece of textile

Very cool, TuiSong! You have quite a talent there and I think the bands look great with the beads!

Thanks for the pics TuiSong. You have made some really pretty bands.

That looks really fun but the last thing I need now is another craft I have so many UFO's (unfinished objects) sitting around now!!

I love the blue one!

retiredk9racer wrote:That looks really fun but the last thing I need now is another craft I have so many UFO's (unfinished objects) sitting around now!!

I absolutely know that feeling, I am drowning under a sea of UFO's. I tried to have a no start year, where I only finished things and not started them and it worked pretty well actually. But it felt wrong and I realised that having lots of unfinished stuff around me is what helps my creative process .

UFO's! Excellent! I am very familiar with those, at home and at work!!