Threading tablet or cards for weaving is something that will take me awhile to understanding. It’s basic, really. You either send the threads (four in my case) through each hole from the back to the front, or from the front to the back. This is designated in drafts with arrows that shoot downwards or upwards. Sometimes this is referred to as a “Z” or “S” threading. You’re supposed to be able to imagine the yarn coming through the holes and slanting over the front or backs of the cards. Neither the arrows nor the letters help me understand, and I continue to confuse my threadings.

Shown here is a very basic tablet weaving pattern that creates little circles with centers. I think it’s sometimes called a flower pattern. On the left is my first attempt (on the bottom of the weaving–the other sections were just samples). I had the left side and right sides threaded in the wrong direction and so the flower was stretching out, more like a starburst. Once I unwove, re-threaded each card, and started over, it looked correct.

My solution: I’m going to carry a cheat sheet and tape it to my loom. Sometimes, a brain gets too full of instructions.