About Inkle

Inkle: n:[origin unknown] (1541): a colored linen* tape or braid woven on a very narrow loom and used for trimming (Marriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary)

heddles: loops added to the loom used to hold and guide select warp yarns

inkle band: a narrow band or strip of warp-faced fabric

pick: term used to describe each woven row

pick-up: weaving technique which “picks-up” and drops warp yarns to create pattern variations

selvedge: the edges of the inkle band created when weaving

shed: the opening created when separating the over and under yarns

shuttle: a tool used to wrap the weft yarn around to pass through the shed when weaving

warp: the vertical or lengthwise yarns on a loom or in a woven fabric

weft: the horizontal or crosswise yarns on a loom or in a woven fabric

wpi: the number of wrapped yarn ends per inch easily found by wrapping around a ruler

*or any fiber, such as cotton, wool, silk, etc.

Inkle Weaving Books: (This list is by no means meant to be exhaustive. I own all of the books listed here, except Inkle by Evelyn Neher. They all offer something a little different. But, I highly recommend that you get the first two books for your library. There are more out there so be on the look out. Many are out of print so snatch them up when you can!)

*The Weaver’s Inkle Pattern Directory: 400 Warp-Faced Weaves , author Anne Dixon (2012)
*Inkle Weaving, author Helen Bress (1975, 1990)
Inkle Weaving: A Comprehensive Manual, author Lavinia Bradley (1982)
Inkle Loom Weaving, author Nina Holland (1973)
Inkle, author Evelyn Neher
Byways in Hand-Weaving, author Mary Meigs Atwater (1954)
The Inkle Path to Weaving, author Teressa Folts (1977)
Inkle Loom Weaving, author Frances B. Smith (1976)
Weaving Inkle Bands, author Harriet Tidball (1969)